Coloradans who test positive or think they have COVID-19 can use telehealth to access treatment options faster. COVID-19 treatment works best if you take it within a few days of feeling sick or testing positive. Telehealth can help speed up the process of accessing treatment, especially for Coloradans in rural areas or others who can’t access an in-person appointment fast enough.
Telehealth means connecting with a doctor over the phone or through a video call. Using telehealth, a doctor can assess you and, if appropriate, give you a treatment plan that meets your needs. Coloradans who have a health care provider can ask them if telehealth is an option for learning more about COVID-19 treatment. People who don’t have a provider, or whose provider doesn’t offer telehealth, may be able to access a telehealth provider directly. Many commercial insurance companies provide telehealth services for their members. People should contact their insurance company to learn if telehealth services are available through their plan. This could help avoid out-of-pocket costs.
Additionally, CDPHE has identified certain telehealth services that offer same-day or next-day appointments for Coloradans seeking treatment. Some of these services may accept private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Be sure to read through each company’s information carefully to determine if they accept your insurance, and double-check with them when making an appointment.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine and practicing layered prevention (such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings, social distancing, staying home when sick, avoiding indoor crowds and frequently washing your hands) is the best way to avoid becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
Many people who do become ill with COVID-19 will experience mild symptoms and can recover at home by following symptomatic treatment like getting plenty of rest and fluids and using Tylenol, Ibuprofen, decongestants, and other over-the-counter cold and flu medications to alleviate fever and symptoms. Since COVID-19 can become serious it is important to monitor symptoms carefully. Signs that you may need help from a medical professional include panting or difficulty breathing, difficulty keeping fluids down or urinating, high fever, rapid pulse, a pulse ox below 90, and/or elevated blood pressure. In a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
Those who are at high risk of developing severe illness should seek treatment right away after testing positive for COVID-19 (see below). Getting a vaccine and practicing layered prevention is best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
ATTENTION: THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT TREATMENTS FOR COVID-19 AND MAY ENDANGER YOUR HEALTH!
• Ivermectin: Ivermectin isn't a drug for treating viruses and the FDA has NOT approved this drug to treat or prevent COVID-19. Taking large doses of this drug can lead to serious harm. Please do not use drugs intended for animals.
• Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine: These malaria drugs were authorized for emergency used by the FDA during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the FDA withdrew that authorization when data analysis showed that the drugs are not effective for treating COVID-19. They can also cause serious heart problems.
Oral antivirals are pills that can help treat COVID-19. There are currently two types of oral antiviral pills that have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under emergency use authorization (EUA): Paxlovid and Molnupriavir.
PAXLOVID
PAXLOVID is an oral antiviral treatment developed by Pfizer for COVID-19. PAXLOVID is available by prescription only and should be taken as soon as possible after diagnosis and within five days of when a person develops symptoms.
Molnupiravir
Molnupiravir is an oral antiviral treatment developed by Merck for COVID-19. Molnupiravir is available by prescription only and should be taken as soon as possible after diagnosis and within five days of when a person develops symptoms.
Talk to your doctor as soon as possible after you test positive for COVID-19 to see if you are a good candidate for antiviral treatment. Antivirals are available by prescription only. For more information, contact [email protected]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for PAXLOVID and Molnupiravir. Right now, oral antivirals are authorized for people who:
See the How Do I Know If I’m High Risk, and What Do I Do Next? page on CombatCOVID.hhs.gov to learn more.
Oral antivirals to treat COVID-19 are not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep from getting sick with COVID-19.
PAXLOVID
PAXLOVID is made up of two drugs: nirmatrelvir, which works by slowing the virus’ ability to replicate within the body, and ritonavir, which helps nirmatrelvir stay in the body longer. PAXLOVID is administered as three tablets which are taken together orally twice daily for five days, for a total of 30 tablets.
Molnupiravir
Molnupiravir works by slowing the virus’ ability to replicate within the body and is administered as four 200 milligram capsules taken orally every 12 hours for five days, for a total of 40 capsules.
Side effects are possible and it is important to discuss this possibility with your doctor or health care provider.
PAXLOVID
Possible side effects of PAXLOVID include impaired sense of taste, diarrhea, high blood pressure and muscle aches. Ask your doctor about the potential for serious drug interactions, liver damage or drug resistance. Patients with kidney or liver problems should discuss with their health care provider whether PAXLOVID is right for them.
Molnupiravir
Possible side effects of Molnupiravir include diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness. Molnupiravir is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Pregnant people should only take molnupiravir if their heatlh care provider decides that the benefits out weigh the risks. If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, it’s important to talk to your health care provider about your specific situation. If you have general questions about side effects or whether Molnupiravir is right for you, talk to your doctor.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made molecules that act as a substitute for the natural antibodies your own body produces after being vaccinated or after being exposed to COVID-19 and recovering.
Adults and children 12 years and older weighing at least 40 kg may be eligible for sotrovimab if they:
People who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 or require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19 are not eligible for monoclonal antibody therapy.
See the How Do I Know If I’m High Risk, and What Do I Do Next? page on CombatCOVID.hhs.gov to learn more.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep from getting sick with COVID-19.
People at risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 include:
Currently, local providers offering monoclonal antibody treatment to select patients who meet criteria include:
NOTICE: While the medication itself, as noted above, is provided without cost to the consumer through the Federal Governments purchase, there may fees incurred for the provider resources and facility. Please discuss your insurance and billing details with your selected provider.
Remdesivir (Veklury) is for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick. Remdesivir is can be given to patients of all ages, including adults and children. People who are eligible for remdesivir should receive it as soon as possible after they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, ideally within seven days of their first symptoms.
Convalescent Plasma is antibodies derived from those who previously had a COVID-19 infection. It can be used for both mild-moderate and severe infections in hospitalized patients. Unfortunately, it has been shown to have little benefit to patients in the most recent studies and is rarely used.
Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that is available for adult and some pediatric hospitalized COVID-19 patients. It is delivered exclusively by IV.
Dexamethasone is a steroid used for hospitalized COVID-19 patients who require increasing amounts of supplemental oxygen and who are showing widespread inflammation. It is often used in combination with Remdesivir.
Anticoagulants are used in hospitalized COVID-19 patients on a case-by-case basis to prevent blood clots from forming. Because anticoagulants can allow excess bleeding in patients, doctors must carefully weigh the risk of using this class of drugs.
