COVID: antiviral drugs are a vital weapon – but misusing them could backfire

The “living with COVID” strategy being pursued by many countries relies heavily on two key pillars. First, that vaccines continue to protect most people from severe disease. And second, that where they don’t, people will receive antiviral treatments. But are the antivirals currently available sufficiently effective, accessible and durable?

 For an antiviral researcher, Covid brings a flood of attention — and opportunity

Researchers seeking to develop antivirals have long warned that a new virus could wreak disaster around the globe and sought funding for their work, only to be largely ignored. Now, the Covid-19 pandemic has unleashed a flood of new money for studies on antivirals, with interest surging from both the government and industry.

COVID-19 Pills Tracker: Live Updates on How to Find Paxlovid and Molnupiravir

If you test positive and have a prescription from your doctor in hand, we will show you which pharmacies near you have pills in stock. Either scroll over the interactive map or search by city, county, state, or zip code. Our goal is to put these “game changing” pills within reach for everyone - Doug Hirsch, Founder GoodRx

Monoclonal & Antiviral Therapy for Non-Hospitalized Patients

Individuals should be considered for outpatient therapy for COVID-19 if they... Are symptomatic with mild-moderate COVID-19 illness AND Have a positive SARS-CoV-2 viral test result, AND Are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization.

When My Mom Got Covid, I Went Searching for Pfizer’s Pills

The experience showed how hard it is for many people to get potentially lifesaving treatments.

COVID antiviral pills: what scientists still want to know

Drugs such as molnupiravir and Paxlovid could change the course of the pandemic if clinical trial results hold up in the real world.

How the rise of antivirals may change the course of the pandemic

Making them isn't easy. But new pills to treat COVID-19 are now showing promise at curbing illness and saving lives.

A Call to Arms

Researchers are testing an arsenal of weapons against the pandemic coronavirus.

A daily pill to treat Covid could be just months away, scientists say

At least three promising antivirals that could prevent symptoms and limit transmission of Covid-19 are in clinical trials.

A Pill to Treat Covid-19? The U.S. Is Betting on It

Researchers from around the world are testing other antivirals already known to work in pill form. One such compound, called molnupiravir, was developed in 2019 by researchers at Emory University and has been tested against viruses including influenza and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.

Big Pharma Isn’t Done Rolling Out Covid Treatments

Oral antiviral treatments could give a public health boost and generate blockbuster sales for drug industry

Can a simple pill treat COVID? A new initiative from the NIH wants to find one.

The research and money invested so far in antiviral drug development has largely fallen short. Even the one FDA-approved drug to treat COVID-19, remdesivir, hasn’t achieved significant success. Crucially, the drug needs to be taken early on in the course of the disease for it to work effectively. That’s hard, though, given the drug must be given intravenously—it’s not something you can pick up from your local pharmacy.

COVID antiviral pills: what scientists still want to know

Drugs such as molnupiravir and Paxlovid could change the course of the pandemic if clinical trial results hold up in the real world.

Covid Arsenal Needs Pills as Well as Shots

A drug that could prevent severe symptoms could help those who can’t or won’t get vaccinated.

I Tested Positive for COVID-19. Should I Take an Antiviral or Antibody Treatment?

Antivirals work by interrupting the virus from using a healthy cell’s machinery to copy its genetic material and reproduce.

Inside Biden’s big “Test To Treat” plan for COVID. Here’s why it’s complicated

New initiative promises a "one stop shop" for the infected.

Repurposed antiviral drugs for COVID-19 –interim WHO SOLIDARITY trial results

These Remdesivir, Hydroxychloroquine, Lopinavir and Interferon regimens appeared to have little or no effect on hospitalized COVID-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation and duration of hospital stay.

Scientists work toward an elusive dream: a simple pill to treat Covid-19

The world has vaccines that can prevent most cases of Covid-19. It even has drugs that can help with the most serious symptoms of the disease. Now what it needs is a Tamiflu for SARS-CoV-2.

The antivirals that weren’t: drug repurposing for COVID-19 produced misleading results

A common class of compounds disrupts the cell rather than stops the virus.

The U.S. Government Placed a Big Bet on an Antiviral Pill to Fight COVID-19

We’re not going to vaccinate our way completely out of this pandemic. With epidemiologists around the world increasingly accepting the reality that SARS-CoV-2 and its variants will become endemic viruses—like the seasonal flu—the push is on to develop antiviral medications that can be taken at home to prevent infections from leading to hospitalization and death.

Two COVID-19 antiviral pills advance to late-stage trials

Merck’s and Ridgeback’s molnupiravir and Pfizer’s PF-07321332 could stop infection early enough to prevent hospitalization.

U.S. To Pour Billions Into Antiviral Treatments For Coronavirus, Other Viruses

Noel King talks to Dr. Timothy Sheahan, a virologist and assistant professor for the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina, about the government's plans.

When Will We Have A Pill To Treat Covid? Here Are Three Antiviral Drugs Being Tested

An effective antiviral treatment that could be taken at home could be a pandemic gamechanger, saving lives and relieving pressure on overburdened hospitals. Though there are numerous safe and effective vaccines to prevent Covid-19, there are few options to actually treat someone who has it.

Why New Pills to Treat Covid Could Be Game Changers: QuickTake

The U.K. has become the first country in the world to approve an antiviral pill by Merck & Co. that has been touted as a potential game changer in the fight against Covid-19. The drug, molnupiravir, is now authorized for use in people with mild to moderate Covid and at least one risk factor for developing severe illness.