COVID antivirals are recommended for people aged over 70 and those at risk of severe illness. But many older Australians are missing out. Here’s why – and how to fix this problem.
Articles on COVID antivirals
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Now there’s more speculation about US President Joe Biden’s health. But a COVID diagnosis in 2024 is nothing like one back in 2020, even for someone of his age.
A promising collection of studies suggests taking antivirals such as Paxlovid during an infection could reduce the risk of developing long COVID.
Two antiviral drugs are available in Australia, but one is prescribed more routinely. Here’s what you need to know as we navigate the eighth COVID wave.
People in disadvantaged communities are less likely to access COVID antivirals. That needs to change.
In particular, a drug called Evusheld could offer protection for people who are vulnerable – but the UK isn’t offering it.
Analysis of Victoria’s winter COVID wave found Paxlovid and Lagevrio reduced the risk of hospitalisation and death. The results were better for Paxlovid, but not everyone can take it.
This guidance replaces previous conditional recommendations for the use of these drugs and is based on emerging evidence that they’re not likely to work against omicron.
We hear a lot about drug-resistant bacteria. The same thing can happen with viruses.
After testing positive for COVID, your medicine prescription will depend on the severity of your symptoms and any other health conditions you have.
Based on certain criteria, New Zealand is clearly ‘winning’. But getting policy settings right over the long haul is about more than just having the most favourable assessment on selected criteria.
Here’s who is eligible, the benefits and side effects to consider.
An infectious disease doctor discusses the use, benefits and availability of a drug to prevent severe COVID-19.
Earlier detection and treatment of COVID-19 by health care providers in pharmacies could help prevent surges in infection rates and severe illness.
Paxlovid is one potential COVID drug for use at home. The idea is these can potentially be prescribed at the first sign of infection to prevent serious illness and death.
Top contributors
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Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University
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Professor of Cancer Virology, University of Leeds
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Post doctoral researcher and medical epidemiologist, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
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Pharmacist and PhD Candidate, University of Sydney
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Associate Professor and Chief Health Officer - COVID and Health Emergencies, Burnet Institute
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Associate Lecturer, Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney
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Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut
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Professor of Public Health, University of Otago
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Adjunct Clinical Professor, Monash University
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Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia
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Professor of General Practice, Bond University
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Professor of Epidemiology, Population Interventions Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne
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Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
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Clinical Epidemiologist, Washington University in St. Louis
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Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Head of Breast Cancer Targeting and Drug Delivery Laboratory, University of Sydney