The most common antiviral COVID-19 medication is Paxlovid. Paxlovid is a combination of two medicines—ritonavir and nirmatrelvir. You take the prescription medicine (three pills) at home by mouth for five days. It is approved for adults and children ages 12 years and older. You must begin Paxlovid within five days after symptoms first appear.

Another FDA-approved drug for people at risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms is Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Molnupiravir is an oral medication that you take as four pills for five days. It is only approved for people who are 18 or older. Studies show that Lagevrio is less effective than Paxlovid at reducing the rate of hospital admissions or death. You must begin Lagevrio within five days after symptoms first appear.

Veklury (remdesivir) is an antiviral medicine given as an intravenous (IV) infusion (through a vein in your arm). You receive the infusion at a health care facility for three to five consecutive days. We typically reserve this treatment for people hospitalized with severe COVID-19 symptoms but may recommend it for outpatients in certain cases. You must begin Veklury within seven days after symptoms first appear.

People who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 and require supplemental oxygen or a ventilator often take corticosteroids such as dexamethasone. Corticosteroids help control your immune system, so it doesn’t overreact to the virus and cause more damage to your body. The effectiveness of corticosteroids for nonhospitalized patients who do not need supplemental oxygen or ventilation is still under investigation.