COVID-19 Treatment

COVID-19 medications are safe and effective at stopping COVID-19 illness from getting serious. By stopping the virus from multiplying, they can lower the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 by half or more. COVID-19 medications may also lower the risk of long COVID symptoms and may help you test negative sooner. Early evidence suggests that the COVID-19 medication Paxlovid may lower the risk of developing long COVID symptoms. These symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years after a COVID-19 infection.

Most COVID-19 medications are pills that you can take at home. The medications are currently available for free, regardless of insurance or citizenship status.

The medications work best when started as soon as possible after you start to feel sick. Most of the medications must be started within the first 5 days of symptoms.

If you feel sick, take a COVID-19 test as soon as possible. At-home test results are okay.

• U.S. households can order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Order free tests.
• You can also sign up for the National Home Test to Treat Program, which offers free COVID-19 at-home tests and telehealth care. Learn more.
• Click here for more information on how to get tested.

If you test positive for COVID-19, ask about COVID-19 medication right away. Do not wait for symptoms to get worse. Stay home and isolate to prevent spreading the disease to others. Even if you are vaccinated or have had COVID-19 before, you should isolate for at least 5 full days. Learn about isolation guidelines.

If your test is negative but you continue to have symptoms, test again 24-48 hours later. Low amounts of virus early in infection can be missed, and you can test positive a few days later.

If you have severe COVID-19 symptoms including trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or trouble staying awake, go to the emergency room or call 911 right away.

COVID-19 medications are recommended for most adults and some teens. Everyone 12 years and older who has symptoms and tests positive for COVID-19 should seek evaluation for COVID-19 medication. A doctor will help decide which medication, if any, is right for you.

You may be able to get COVID-19 medications if:

• You are 50 years old or older –OR–
• You are unvaccinated or not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations –OR–
• You have a health condition or other factors that increase risk. These include obesity, asthma, diabetes, lack of physical activity, smoking, mental health conditions such as depression, being of a racial/ethnic minority, and more. Learn more about factors that increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Click here for more information on mental health and mood conditions.

Yes, COVID-19 medications can lower your risk of serious COVID-19 illness whether you are vaccinated against COVID-19 or not. Getting vaccinated reduces your chances of getting very sick. However, studies have shown that vaccinated people may still benefit from COVID-19 medication. Those who are at risk for serious illness, including those ages 65 and older, may especially benefit from medication.

• COVID-19 vaccines are taken before getting COVID-19 to increase immunity against new variants.
• COVID-19 medications are taken after you get COVID-19 to stop the illness from getting serious. They may help you test negative sooner. Early evidence suggests that they may also lower the risk of long COVID.
• Both COVID vaccines and medications prevent COVID-19 illness from getting serious.

COVID-19 rebound is a return of symptoms and a new positive test a few days after symptoms improve or you test negative. Most people do not experience rebound from COVID-19 medications. COVID-19 rebound can occur with COVID-19 whether you take medications or not. Regardless of whether rebound occurs, COVID-19 medications can prevent serious illness and may lower the risk of long COVID.

If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor. You can also refer to these helpful guidelines from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NIH: Pregnancy, Lactation, and COVID-19 Therapeutics

CDC: Special Clinical Considerations