Antiviral Pills to Fight Severe COVID Available in Hawaii

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii docs, like physicians elsewhere within the U.S., have been prescribing antiviral tablets to COVID-19 sufferers with mild-to-moderate signs of the illness. However solely these at excessive danger of creating extreme sickness are eligible to obtain the medication.

Two manufacturers of antiviral tablets can be found at pharmacies and well being facilities within the state with a health care provider’s prescription, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. They’re Paxlovid, which was developed by Pfizer, and Lagevrio, or molnupiravir, which was developed by Merck.

The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization to each medication. Each should be prescribed and brought inside a five-day window of the onset of signs.

Dr. Douglas Kwock, Hawaii Pacific Well being’s vice chairman of medical affairs, mentioned docs have been prescribing the antiviral tablets or therapeutics since January.

The tablets are geared toward stopping extreme an infection, hospitalization and dying, he mentioned. They are not a treatment for COVID-19 nor are they for anybody merely uncovered to the corona­virus.

Sufferers should have high-risk situations, like weight problems or diabetes or be immunocompromised to be eligible.

“The therapy would contain a dialogue together with your main care doctor on whether or not you qualify or not, and even in case you did, whether it is one thing that may be helpful,” Kwock mentioned.

Copyright 2022 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.