COVID-19 Pill
Fight COVID-19 with an
FDA authorized at home treatment.
See if the COVID-19 pill (Paxlovid) is right for you.
What Is The
COVID-19 Pill?
The COVID-19 pills are treatments for COVID-19 that someone can take at home after experiencing mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Both the Pfizer COVID-19 pill and the Merck COVID-19 pill are FDA authorized.
Keep in mind that in order to be effective, either medication must start being taken within five days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Neither medication is authorized for use for longer than five consecutive days.
| How many pills per dose? | How many doses per day? | How many days is it taken for? | Total number of pills taken over 5 days | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paxlovid (Pfizer COVID-19 medication) | 3 | 2 | 5 | 30 |
| Molnupiravir (Merck COVID-19 medication) | 4 | 2 | 5 | 40 |
How Does The
COVID-19 Pill Work?
The COVID-19 pills are antivirals that work by stopping the viral replication process of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19). This reduces a person’s viral load and lessens the severity of their symptoms. Paxlovid and Molnupiravir each work in slightly different ways. If you are within five days of experiencing mild to moderate COVID symptoms, are confirmed to be COVID-19 positive via a PCR or rapid antigen test, and are deemed to be at high risk for COVID-related complications, an AccessMD affiliated doctor may be able to prescribe you COVID-19 pills to take at home.
Our Patients Trust
Us With Their Care
You can speak with a U.S. based, board-certified doctor from your smartphone, computer, or tablet and get COVID-19 pills prescribed to you if you qualify. AccessMD affiliated doctors have studied and trained at some of the top institutions in the United States, including Boston University, University of Illinois, and UCLA, ensuring an exceptional standard of treatment and care.
FAQs About the COVID-19 pill
- What are the early symptoms of COVID-19?
- How long does it take for COVID-19 symptoms to start showing up?
- Are there any FDA-approved pills for COVID-19?
- How effective are COVID-19 pills in preventing severe disease?
- How can COVID-19 symptoms be treated at home?
- How long does it take to recover from COVID-19?
- Can people who have been vaccinated get the COVID-19 pill?
- Can the COVID-19 pill be taken in place of getting vaccinated?
- What steps can stop the spread of COVID-19?
While COVID-19 doesn’t always start the same for everyone, early symptoms of a COVID-19 infection are usually a fever, followed by muscle pain and a cough.
The COVID-19 incubation period (the number of days between when you’re infected and when symptoms appear) is anywhere between 2 and 14 days.
Yes. The FDA authorized Pfizer’s COVID treatment pill (Paxlovid) and Merck’s COVID treatment pill in December 2021.
The Pfizer COVID-19 pill (Paxlovid) has been shown to reduce the risk of COVID-related hospitalization or death by 89%, while the Merck COVID-19 pill has been shown to reduce the risk of COVID-related hospitalization or death by 30%. The COVID-19 pill is not a substitute for the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinated people who take these COVID medications will likely have even better recovery outcomes than those who are unvaccinated.
At-home COVID treatment includes staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers (such as acetaminophen) as needed. Once they’re prescribed by a doctor, the COVID-19 pills can be taken at home to aid in the recovery process.
For people with mild cases of COVID-19, recovery can take anywhere from two to four weeks from the time that symptoms first show up. For moderate cases, recovery can take up to six weeks or even longer. In people who are vaccinated, recovery may come more quickly. COVID medications can improve recovery time as well.
Yes. Almost anyone with mild to moderate COVID symptoms can take the COVID-19 pill within the first five days of symptom onset, to reduce the severity of symptoms. Prior to prescribing the COVID-19 pill, your AccessMD provider may ask to see your positive COVID-19 test results.
The COVID-19 pill is not a substitute for getting vaccinated. The most effective way to prevent COVID-19, its spread, and a severe disease course is to get vaccinated. Although vaccinated people can still get COVID-19, the COVID-19 pill will have the best outcomes for people who are vaccinated.
The most effective steps in stopping the spread of COVID-19 include socially distancing, washing hands often, wearing a mask, and getting vaccinated. Vaccinated people have the lowest risk of contracting COVID-19, and if they do contract it, they have less severe symptoms and a faster recovery time.
