​Updates as of March 17, 2022:

• Added information about the COVID-19 Test to Treat program.

Several COVID-19 treatment options are available in the United States. A health care provider may decide you are eligible for a COVID-19 treatment if you are at high risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19 and:

• Recently tested positive and have mild or moderate symptoms,
• Been in close contact with someone who tested positive,
• Are immunocompromised (have a pre-existing condition that lowers your immunity), or
• Had a severe adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine (meaning you cannot be fully vaccinated).

Most people can treat mild symptoms of COVID-19 at home with over-the-counter medicine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has guidance for at-home treatment of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Treatment Works Best When Given As Soon As Possible after Testing Positive or Being Exposed to COVID-19

Get tested for COVID-19 immediately after you notice symptoms, so you know whether to seek COVID-19 treatments. After you have been exposed (been around someone who has COVID-19) or test positive, talk  with your health care provider as soon as possible to see if you qualify for COVID-19 treatments or find Test to Treat locations that offer COVID-19 testing and oral antiviral pills at one location. Also, follow recommended quarantine guidelines if you have been exposed or isolation guidelines if you test positive or have symptoms.

COVID-19 Treatments Are Not a Substitute for the COVID-19 Vaccine

While treatments are an important tool in the fight against COVID-19, vaccines are how we get through this pandemic. Vaccines train your immune system to prevent infection and severe illness. All eligible Californians should get vaccinated or boosted as soon as possible.

Treatments are used to treat certain high-risk people who are already sick. They may also be given to prevent illness in people who are not as protected from the vaccine due to underlying health conditions or for those who are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to a previous bad reaction (meaning they can’t be fully vaccinated).

Learn More About Treatment Options

People considered at high risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19 may benefit from medications that prevent COVID-19 before an exposure, prevent COVID-19 after an exposure, or treat COVID-19 symptoms to prevent further complications and death.

Current types of treatments administered to prevent and treat COVID-19:

• Antivirals prevent viruses from making more of themselves or “multiplying” in the body
• Monoclonal antibodies bind to virus and assist the body in getting rid of it
• Anti-inflammatories calm an overactive immune response

How are COVID-19 Treatments Given

There are two ways to get outpatient COVID-19 treatments:

1. Find Test to Treat locations that offer COVID-19 testing and prescriptions for oral antiviral pills at one location.
2. Talk to your health care provider to learn if you qualify for a COVID-19 treatment that requires a prescription or referral.

There is currently no cost for most COVID-19 treatments themselves, but the treating facility may charge for the administration of the drug. Medicare and Medicaid cover all costs. Check your insurance plan, as many large private insurance plans cover costs. If you do not have insurance, ask the treatment facility if there are fees.

Available COVID-19 Treatments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved and authorized several treatments for emergency use during this public health emergency. Additional treatments are currently undergoing clinical trials to assess their safety and effectiveness in treating COVID-19.

The table below shows COVID-19 treatments that prevent COVID-19 before an exposure, prevent COVID-19 after an exposure, or treat mild or moderate COVID-19 once infected. The table includes treatments for those who are not hospitalized (outpatient). This list does not cover medications available for those who are hospitalized (inpatient).

Your health care provider will consider several factors when determining if an outpatient treatment is right for you:

• Exposure: Recently around someone with COVID-19
• Tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms
  • Mild symptoms:  fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell.  No shortness of breath, dyspnea, or abnormal chest imaging.
• Tested positive for COVID-19 with moderate symptoms
  • Moderate symptoms: evidence of lower respiratory disease during clinical assessment, shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing but who an oxygen saturation (SpO2) ≥94% on room air at sea level.
• Potential for developing serious illness: At high risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19 that may lead to hospitalization or even death.