COVID-19 treatments

NHS patients who are at greater risk from COVID-19 are eligible for COVID-19 treatment at home.

Vaccinations remain the most effective way to protect those most vulnerable. Vaccination protects people from illness from COVID-19. This means most people are now at a much lower risk of severe disease and do not benefit from antiviral treatments.

Some people can receive antiviral treatments as part of their care if they remain at high risk of severe COVID-19.

COVID-19 treatment for people at high risk of severe COVID-19

People who are at high risk of becoming severely ill due to COVID-19 may be able to receive treatment at home.

The highest risk group includes people who have: 

• chromosomal disorders that affect the immune system, including Down’s syndrome
• certain types of cancer, or have had a cancer removed in the last 12 months
• had either radiotherapy or chemotherapy in the last 12 months
• sickle cell disease
• certain conditions affecting the blood or have received a haematological stem cell transplant
• chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5
• severe liver disease
• had an organ transplant
• some autoimmune or inflammatory conditions needing certain medications like:
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • inflammatory bowel disease
• HIV or AIDS
• a rare neurological condition such as:
  • multiple sclerosis
  • Huntington’s disease
  • motor neurone disease
  • myasthenia gravis
• an impaired immune system due to either a condition or certain medications 

If you are in the groups listed above, and you test positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for treatments. Treatments help manage your symptoms and reduce the risk of you becoming unwell due to COVID-19.

If you have a positive test result for COVID-19, you will be screened to see if you are eligible for treatment. 

What you need to do to access treatment

If you are in one of the groups listed above you should keep rapid Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) at home. Find out how to get COVID-19 lateral flow tests.

Take a test as soon as you get symptoms of COVID-19. If your test is negative but your symptoms persist, you should take another test on the next day (day 2). If it’s still negative, test again on day 3. If your tests on day 2 and day 3 are negative, it’s unlikely you have COVID-19.

What to do if you test positive for COVID-19

If you are in one of the groups above and eligible for treatment, you should contact your GP and state:

• you have symptoms of COVID-19
• you have tested positive for COVID-19
• you believe you are in the highest risk group and are eligible for treatment 

Your GP will be able to assess your symptoms and if they are appropriate for you will be able to prescribe you antiviral medicines. If you have any contraindications to antiviral treatment, they may refer you to a hospital. This would be for an alternative form of therapy (sotrovimab) which needs to be given by injection in a hospital.

Which treatments are available? 

Antiviral treatments

• Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) 3 tablets twice daily for 5 days. This dose may vary for certain individuals, so always check with a health care professional if you are unsure.
• Some people for whom Paxlovid isn’t suitable may be offered treatment with Xevudy (sotrovimab). A drip that is given through your arm (infusion) in a single appointment usually in a hospital.
• Some people for whom both Paxlovid and Xevudy aren’t suitable, Lagevrio (molnupiravir) 4 capsules twice daily for 5 days.

Further information 

Further information regarding COVID-19 treatments:

Antiviral Services across Wales - Welsh Medicines Advice Service

Get help or advice whilst receiving treatment

Contact your GP surgery, specialist clinic or NHS111 if during your treatment you:

• continue to feel unwell
• feel like your symptoms are worsening 

What you should do if you have declined treatment, but now wish to be treated for COVID-19? 

If you now require COVID-19 treatment, call your GP practice and they will be able to guide you appropriately.

If you live in a care home

If you live in a care home and have symptoms of COVID-19, staff should arrange for your health board to do a different type of test. This will determine if you have COVID-19 or another respiratory illness such as flu. The health board staff who carry out the test will then arrange for you to be assessed for treatment if you test positive.