How is COVID-19 treated?

Antiviral medications:

• Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir: This is an oral antiviral therapy that reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death in high-risk patients when administered within five days of symptom onset.
• Remdesivir: This is an intravenous antiviral recommended for hospitalised patients at high risk of disease progression. A 3-day course initiated within 7 days of symptom onset has been shown to be effective.
• Molnupiravir. This is an oral antiviral authorised for use in certain situations when other treatments are not accessible or appropriate.

Monoclonal antibodies:

Several monoclonal antibodies have been authorised for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in Spain. However, the effectiveness of these therapies may vary due to the emergence and evolution of viral variants.

• Tixagevimab plus cilgavimab. This is a long-acting antibody combination indicated for pre-exposure prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients who do not respond adequately to vaccination or who have contraindications to vaccination.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has authorised the use of certain monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19. However, the availability and use of these therapies in Spain depend on the recommendations of national health authorities and on their effectiveness against circulating variants. For this reason, official guidance on their use is updated periodically.

Other supportive treatments:

Treatment for patients with severe disease and for individuals at risk of developing severe illness includes the administration of oxygen and, if necessary, assisted ventilation.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that can help reduce the duration of severe illness, particularly in cases with respiratory involvement, and has been associated with reduced mortality in patients with severe or critical disease