NIH Panel Releases New Statements on Use of Oral COVID-19 Antivirals

December 30, 2021

The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) has issued 2 new statements that include information about oral agents and other therapies that can be used to treat nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19.

In the first statement, the Panel provides recommendations for using the therapies that are currently available, including ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid), sotrovimab, remdesivir, and molnupiravir. The recommendations take into account the efficacies of these drugs and the high prevalence of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of concern. The statement also includes additional considerations and a detailed discussion of the clinical data that support the recommendations.

The second statement highlights the importance of evaluating n regimens for potentially serious drug-drug interactions before prescribing ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid). The statement provides resources to identify potential drug-drug interactions and outlines strategies for managing any interactions. A new table lists the drugs that are contraindicated or that should not be coadministered with ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid).

For complete details, please see the full update on the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines website.