What The FDA Is Changing To Get COVID-19 Antivirals

COVID has been the talk of the town since the turn of the decade, and it doesn't seem like it is going anywhere anytime soon. 

For a long period of time, the best ways to mitigate the dangers of the COVID disease were to practice social distancing, wear a mask, get vaccinated, and try to stay as healthy as possible. Then in December 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use authorization for the antiviral pill treatment known as Paxlovid, which was originally intended to treat "mild-to-moderate COVID" in adults and children ages 12 and older who are risk of developing a severe case of COVID and have tested positive. The Paxlovid treatment works by taking a progression of 3 pills — twice every day — over the course of 5 consecutive days.

The FDA also granted an emergency use authorization for the antiviral pill Lagevrio, which was originally used to treat "mild-to-moderate COVID" in adults that have tested positive. The treatment works by taking 4 pills every 12 hours for a total of 5 days. Notably, both Paxlovid and Lagevrio previously required a positive COVID test to be administered as treatments. However, the FDA recently changed that rule. Here's everything you need to know.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently made an announcement that changed one of the prerequisites for the prescription of the antiviral COVID treatments known as Paxlovid and Lagevrio.

According to WebMD, the agency announced to Pfizer — which produces Paxlovid — and Merck — which produces Lagevrio — that it is no longer necessary to test positive for COVID in order to get prescribed either treatment. However, you will still need to be diagnosed with a case of "mild-to-moderate COVID" in order to be prescribed either treatment. Paxlovid — which is still available for use by people ages 12 and older — has been shown to lower the risk of hospitalization by 46% and lower the risk of death by 65%. On the other hand, Lagevrio – which is still available for use by people ages 18 and older — has been shown to lower the risk of hospitalization by 30%.

The FDA notes that side effects of Paxlovid can include an altered sense of taste, diarrhea, hypertension, and myalgia. Lagevrio can have mild side effects like diarrhea, dizziness, and nasususa in addition to more serious side effects like hives, swelling, and trouble breathing (per RxList).