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[LEARN MORE](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/) - [1Latest News](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/all-articles/?tags=news) - [2What Is COVID-19? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/covid-19/) - [3What Is Long COVID? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/what-is-long-covid-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-treatment-and-prevention/) - [4What Is a Coronavirus?](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/) - [5How to Cope With a COVID-19 Cough](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-cope-with-a-covid-19-cough/) - [6How to Beat COVID-19 Fatigue and Get Your Energy Back](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-beat-covid-19-fatigue-and-get-your-energy-back/) [SEE MORE](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/) # How to Recover From COVID-19 at Home  Adobe Stock By [Becky Upham](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/becky-upham/) Updated on December 13, 2023 Medically Reviewed by [Jane Yoon Scott, MD](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/jane-yoon-scott/) ON THIS PAGE - [Visiting a Doctor for COVID-19](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#visiting-a-doctor-for-covid-19) - [Home Remedies and Natural Treatments](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#home-remedies-and-natural-treatments) - [Over-the-Counter Medications](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#over-the-counter-medications) - [Antiviral Prescription Medications](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#antiviral-prescription-medications) - [Debunked or Unproven Treatments](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#debunked-or-unproven-treatments) [Coronavirus]() ON THIS PAGE - [Visiting a Doctor for COVID-19](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#visiting-a-doctor-for-covid-19) - [Home Remedies and Natural Treatments](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#home-remedies-and-natural-treatments) - [Over-the-Counter Medications](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#over-the-counter-medications) - [Antiviral Prescription Medications](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#antiviral-prescription-medications) - [Debunked or Unproven Treatments](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home/#debunked-or-unproven-treatments) If you come down with mild or moderate [COVID-19](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/covid-19/), you probably know that you need to stay home to avoid infecting other people. But you may not know all the things you can do to battle the virus. Over-the-counter drugs and nondrug interventions can help you cope with [COVID-19 symptoms](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/top-covid-19-symptoms-have-changed-study-finds/), which are typically some mix of [runny nose](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/covid-19-congestion-and-runny-nose-how-to-deal/), [headache](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-cope-with-a-covid-19-headache/), [fatigue](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-beat-covid-19-fatigue-and-get-your-energy-back/), sneezing, [sore throat](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-cope-with-a-covid-19-sore-throat/), [cough](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-cope-with-a-covid-19-cough/), [shortness of breath](https://www.everydayhealth.com/breathing-difficulty/guide/), [muscle or body aches](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-relieve-covid-19-muscle-aches-and-pains/), fever or chills, or other issues. If you are at high risk of becoming extremely sick or even dying from COVID-19 — because you are elderly, have obesity, or have a medical condition like diabetes, for example — you may be eligible for prescription antiviral treatments. The first thing you should do if you think you have COVID-19: Confirm with a test, since the symptoms of COVID-19 can resemble those of other conditions like the common cold or [seasonal allergies](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/allergies-or-covid-19-here-s-how-to-tell-the-difference/). If you test positive and especially if you are at high risk for complications, call your doctor. “We don’t want people to suffer in silence, at home and possibly alone,” says [Paul Pottinger, MD](https://aid.uw.edu/people/faculty/infectious-diseases/paul-pottinger), an infectious disease doctor at the University of Washington School of Medicine (UW Medicine) in Seattle. Read on to learn what happens during a COVID-19 medical appointment, how to cope with symptoms using a variety of over-the-counter drugs and home remedies, and whether you might be a candidate for prescription medication that may help you get over the illness quicker and prevent a mild infection from turning serious. Note: The following are signs and symptoms of severe COVID-19 that should prompt you to seek immediate emergency care, per the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/covid/signs-symptoms/index.html): - Trouble breathing - Persistent pain or pressure in your chest - New confusion - Inability to wake up or stay awake - Pale, gray, or blue lips, skin, or nail beds (depending on skin tone) ## What Happens When You Visit a Doctor for COVID-19 “If someone is really sick with symptoms of COVID-19, an in-person assessment is the best way to determine the course of treatment. There are certain vital sign measurements that just can’t happen via Zoom or a telephone call,” says Dr. Pottinger. Doctors generally do the following during a COVID-19 evaluation. **Check your vital signs****.** In addition to measuring your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, physicians will assess your respiratory rate, which is how many breaths you take per minute. In a healthy person that would be around 12 to 16, according to [Johns Hopkins Medicine](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vital-signs-body-temperature-pulse-rate-respiration-rate-blood-pressure). A respiratory rate of 23 or greater is a red flag, per [UW Medicine](https://newsroom.uw.edu/news/covid-19-mortality-linked-signs-easily-measured-home). Doctors may also evaluate how well your lungs are working by using a pulse oximeter. This device clips on a body part such as a finger or earlobe to measure oxygen saturation (oxygen level) in the blood, according to [John Hopkins Medicine](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/pulse-oximetry). **Inquire about your age and medical history****.** To determine your risk of becoming extremely ill, your doctor will ask your age. “That’s because people over age 65 tend to have a more severe course of COVID-19 and have a relatively higher risk of dying as a result of the infection,” Pottinger explains. A physician will also ask about any underlying medical conditions you have as well as your health history. “For example, is your immune system normal or is it reduced in some way due to a disease process or treatment of a condition that you have?” says Pottinger. Per the [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors/index.html), the following conditions raise your risk of developing severe COVID-19: - Cancer - Chronic kidney disease - [Chronic liver disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/liver-disease/what-is-chronic-liver-disease/) - Chronic lung diseases, including [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/copd/guide/), asthma (moderate to severe), interstitial lung disease, and [pulmonary hypertension](https://www.everydayhealth.com/pulmonary-hypertension/guide/) - [Cystic fibrosis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cystic-fibrosis/guide/) - Dementia or other neurological conditions - Diabetes (type 1 or type 2) - Disabilities, including [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder](https://www.everydayhealth.com/adhd/guide/) and [Down syndrome](https://www.everydayhealth.com/down-syndrome/guide/) - [Heart conditions](https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-disease/what-people-with-heart-disease-need-to-know-about-covid-19/), such as [heart failure](https://www.everydayhealth.com/congestive-heart-failure/guide/), [coronary artery disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronary-artery-disease/guide/), cardiomyopathies, and possibly [hypertension](https://www.everydayhealth.com/high-blood-pressure/guide/) - [HIV infection](https://www.everydayhealth.com/hiv/guide/) - Immunocompromised state, including a weakened immune system caused by prolonged use of [corticosteroids](https://www.everydayhealth.com/corticosteroids/guide/) or other immune-weakening medicines. - Mental health conditions, including depression and [schizophrenia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/schizophrenia/guide/) spectrum disorders - Overweight and obesity - Physical inactivity - Pregnancy - Sickle cell disease or thalassemia - Smoking, currently or in the past - Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant - Stroke or cerebrovascular disease - Substance use disorders - [Tuberculosis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/tuberculosis/guide/) **Conduct a physical examination****.** Your doctor will listen to your heartbeat and breathing, and ask about your symptoms, including how intense they are and when they started. COVID-19 has a broad range of symptoms — everything from [diarrhea](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/could-your-digestive-issues-be-a-symptom-of-covid-19/) to new loss of taste and smell — so you should keep track and tell your doctor about all of them, even if you aren’t sure they are related to COVID-19. Your doctor will use their clinical judgment, in conjunction with lab work, to determine if you need to be admitted to the hospital. “It’s hard to describe, but it’s part of the practice of medicine to identify a patient who is just not going to thrive when they go home,” says Pottinger. #### #### Next up video playing in 10 seconds ### 11 Foods and Drinks to Help Sooth COVID-19 Symptoms March 9, 2022. If you have a mild case of COVID-19 and are looking for ways to feel better at home, try eating these virus fighting foods. ## Home Remedies and Natural Treatments for Mild or Moderate COVID-19 The following strategies for dealing with common COVID symptoms can be part of an overall treatment plan: - **Difficulty Breathing** If you are having symptoms of mild or moderate dyspnea (difficulty breathing), schedule an appointment with your doctor. They may recommend that you lie prone, or facedown, rather than flat on your back. - **Shortness of Breath** If being short of breath makes you anxious, your doctor may advise breathing exercises that can help. UC San Diego Health created a [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAdwqHl7sac) that details how to perform a simple breathing technique to help with COVID-19-related stress. - **Cough** For help managing a [cough](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cough/guide/), try cough drops, Vicks VapoRub, and hot water or hot tea with lemon. - **Dehydration** To reduce the risk of dehydration, drink fluids regularly and keep eating. Aim for at least 64 ounces (8 cups or about 2 liters) of water every day. If you are sweating a lot from a fever, you may want to supplement water with an electrolyte-containing sports drink such as Gatorade, according to [Geisinger Health System](https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2020/04/27/13/14/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home). - **Eating Issues** To make eating easier, opt for foods that are easy to digest and relatively bland, such as chicken noodle or vegetable broth soup, [avocados](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/avocados-health-benefits-nutrition-facts-weight-loss-info-more/), or toast. Good nutrition will aid your recovery. A [study published in 2021 in *Food Science & Nutrition*](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fsn3.2458) found that for people with mild or moderate infections, strategies like staying physically active, sleeping seven hours per day or more, drinking 2 liters or more of water per day, and consuming more plant-based proteins “can provide a significant role in early and safe recovery from COVID-19.” ## Over-the-Counter Medications for COVID-19 The [University of Chicago Medicine](https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/2023/october/which-otc-medications-are-best-for-coronavirus-symptoms) says some over-the-counter medications may improve symptoms of COVID-19. - **Fever, Body Aches, or Headache** Try acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) — assuming you don’t have any other conditions or allergies that would make these drugs risky for you. - **Congestion** If you are very congested, short-term use of a nasal decongestant such as a nasal spray may help unblock your nose and open your sinuses, says Pottinger. ## Antiviral Prescription Medications The [U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults) one prescription antiviral treatment administered orally as pills: Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets). The agency has also granted emergency-use authorization to [Lagevrio (molnupiravir)](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-additional-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-certain). These treatments work differently but are both used outside of a hospital and in individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk for COVID-19 complications. ### Paxlovid Paxlovid can be used to treat mild or moderate COVID-19 in adults and children ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds, have tested positive for COVID-19, and are at risk of severe illness or death from the disease, according to the FDA. Patients take three pills (two tablets of nirmatrelvir and one tablet of ritonavir) twice a day for five days, for a total of 30 pills. Treatment must begin within five days of the onset of symptoms. [Research](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9880690/) has shown that when taken in this time frame, Paxlovid can help you get over COVID-19 faster. Nirmatrelvir helps prevent the novel coronavirus from replicating, while ritonavir slows the breakdown of nirmatrelvir to extend its presence and maintain its concentration in the body. Paxlovid may not be a good fit for people with poorly managed or undiagnosed HIV, as well as those with severe liver or kidney disease. Paxlovid also may interfere with various medications, [which the FDA lists on its website](https://www.fda.gov/media/155050/download). Side effects include the following, according to the FDA: - High blood pressure - Muscle aches - Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea - Loss of taste ### Molnupiravir Molnupiravir is authorized for use only in adults who test positive for COVID-19 and are at risk of complications or death from the disease, notes the FDA. Four pills are taken twice a day for five days, for a total of 40 pills. It works by causing a fatal genetic mutation in the coronavirus, according to an [article published in 2021 in *Nature*](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02783-1). Like Paxlovid, molnupiravir should be taken within five days of COVID-19 symptom onset. The FDA recommends the drug only when Paxlovid and remdesivir (see below) are not accessible or clinically appropriate. The agency advises pregnant women to avoid molnupiravir because some animal studies have found that the drug may cause birth defects. Side effects of molnupiravir may include the following, per the FDA: - Nausea - Dizziness - Diarrhea Be sure to talk to your doctor about any health conditions you have and any medications you’re taking if you’re prescribed Paxlovid or molnupiravir. ### Remdesivir [Remdesivir (Veklury)](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/214787s030lbl.pdf), the antiviral infusion medication that doctors have used to treat people hospitalized due to COVID-19 since early in the pandemic, is an option for people recovering from COVID-19 at home, too. In 2022, the FDA expanded eligibility for remdesivir to adults, children, and babies with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of severe illness. Healthcare providers administer remdesivir with an IV in sessions that take place over three consecutive days, requiring patients to make repeat visits to a hospital or outpatient clinic. Talk to your primary medical team about whether you are an appropriate candidate for remdesivir and whether the benefits outweigh the risks given your health status. ## Debunked or Unproven COVID-19 Treatments: Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin Social media continues to spread unsupported or unhelpful claims about COVID-19 treatments, most prominently about hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. “There is no evidence to support their use. There is actually quite a bit of evidence to show that they don’t help,” Pottinger says. **Hydroxychloroquine** A meta-analysis including data from 11 clinical trials found no difference in hospitalization rates between people taking hydroxychloroquine and those taking a placebo, with the [results published in March 2023 in the journal *Clinical and Translational Science*](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36601684/). **Ivermectin** This drug is commonly used to treat or prevent parasites in animals, and ivermectin tablets are approved at specific doses to treat some parasitic worms in humans. A [clinical trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35179551/) concluded that ivermectin does not prevent mild or moderate COVID-19 from becoming severe. [Research published in May 2023](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2115869) found that treatment with ivermectin didn’t keep people with COVID-19 out of the hospital. Taking large doses of ivermectin is dangerous, as is using medication intended for animals. Animal ivermectin products are very different from those approved for humans, per the [CDC](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/ivermectin-and-covid-19). ## The Takeaway - If you have a mild or moderate case of COVID-19, it's important to stay at home to recover and avoid infecting others. - Use Advil and Tylenol to manage fever and body aches. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Hot tea with honey and lemon can soothe a sore or scratchy throat. Cough drops and VapoRub can help you manage a cough. - If you experience difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, you should visit a doctor. Meet Our Experts [See Our Editorial Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/) [Meet Our Health Expert Network](https://www.everydayhealth.com/health-expert-network/)   #### Jane Yoon Scott, MD ##### Medical Reviewer Jane Yoon Scott, MD, is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at [Emory University](https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=JCYOON) in Atlanta. Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients, empowering them to understand and take ownership of their health, and encouraging them to ask questions so that they can make informed and thoughtful decisions. She graduated with the highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology, then received her MD from the Medical College of Georgia. She completed her internal medicine residency training and chief residency at Temple University Hospital, as well as a fellowship in infectious diseases at Emory University. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and infectious diseases. When she is not seeing patients, Dr. Scott works with neighboring health departments to promote public health, especially to communities that have been historically underserved. She also teaches medical trainees and lectures medical students at the Emory University School of Medicine. In her free time, Dr. Scott appreciates a good coffee shop, weekend hikes, playing guitar, strolling through cities, sampling restaurants, and traveling to new places. [See full bio](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/jane-yoon-scott/)   #### Becky Upham ##### Author Becky Upham has worked throughout the health and wellness world for over 25 years. She's been a race director, a team recruiter for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a salesperson for a major pharmaceutical company, a blogger for Moogfest, a communications manager for Mission Health, a fitness instructor, and a health coach. Upham majored in English at the University of North Carolina and has a master's in English writing from Hollins University. Upham enjoys teaching cycling classes, running, reading fiction, and making playlists. [See full bio](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/becky-upham/) [See Our Editorial Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/) [Meet Our Health Expert Network](https://www.everydayhealth.com/health-expert-network/) EDITORIAL SOURCES Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our [editorial policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/). We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions. Sources Additional Sources - Symptoms of COVID-19. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/covid/signs-symptoms/index.html). October 26, 2022. - Vital Signs (Body Temperature, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, Blood Pressure). [Johns Hopkins Medicine](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vital-signs-body-temperature-pulse-rate-respiration-rate-blood-pressure). - COVID-19 Mortality Linked to Signs Easily Measured at Home. [UW Medicine](https://newsroom.uw.edu/news/covid-19-mortality-linked-signs-easily-measured-home). May 20, 2021. - Pulse Oximetry. [John Hopkins Medicine](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/pulse-oximetry). - COVID-19: People With Certain Medical Conditions. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors/index.html). May 11, 2023. - 5 Things to Know About Recovering From COVID-19 at Home. [Geisinger Health System](https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2020/04/27/13/14/how-to-recover-from-covid-19-at-home). October 4, 2023. - Rabail R et al. Nutritional and Lifestyle Changes Required for Minimizing the Recovery Period in Home Quarantined COVID-19 Patients of Punjab, Pakistan. [*Food Science & Nutrition*](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fsn3.2458). September 2021. - Which Over-the-Counter Medications Are Best for COVID-19 Symptoms? [UChicago Medicine](https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/2023/october/which-otc-medications-are-best-for-coronavirus-symptoms). October 19, 2023. - FDA Approves First Oral Antiviral for Treatment of COVID-19 in Adults. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults). May 25, 2023. - Wang Y et al. Early Administration of Paxlovid Reduces the Viral Elimination Time in Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants. [*J**ournal of Medical Virology*](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9880690/). January 2023. - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Additional Oral Antiviral for Treatment of COVID-19 in Certain Adults. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-additional-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-certain). December 23, 2021. - Willyard C. How Antiviral Pill Molnupiravir Shot Ahead in the COVID Drug Hunt. [*Nature*](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02783-1). October 8, 2021. - FDA Takes Actions to Expand Use of Treatment for Outpatients With Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration](https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/human-drug-advisory-committees/antimicrobial-drugs-advisory-committee-formerly-known-anti-infective-drugs-advisory-committee). January 21, 2022. - Mitjà O et al. Hydroxychloroquine for Treatment of Non-Hospitalized Adults With COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data of Randomized Trials. [*Clinical and Translational Science*](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36601684/). March 2023. - Why You Should Not Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/ivermectin-and-covid-19). December 10, 2021.   Sign up for our Daily Health News Newsletter\! RELATED ARTICLES [See all in Coronavirus](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/?view=all "See all in Coronavirus") [Is ‘Razor Blade’ Sore Throat a Symptom of the New COVID Variant?](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-cope-with-a-covid-19-sore-throat/)  CoronavirusIs ‘Razor Blade’ Sore Throat a Symptom of the New COVID Variant? Medically Reviewed by Jane Yoon Scott, MD \| Jun 23, 2025 [You Just Got COVID: Now What?](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/you-just-got-covid-now-what/)  CoronavirusYou Just Got COVID: Now What? Medically Reviewed by Jane Yoon Scott, MD \| Oct 08, 2024 [What Is Long COVID? 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## Antiviral Prescription Medications The [U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults) one prescription antiviral treatment administered orally as pills: Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets). The agency has also granted emergency-use authorization to [Lagevrio (molnupiravir)](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-additional-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-certain). These treatments work differently but are both used outside of a hospital and in individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk for COVID-19 complications. ### Paxlovid Paxlovid can be used to treat mild or moderate COVID-19 in adults and children ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds, have tested positive for COVID-19, and are at risk of severe illness or death from the disease, according to the FDA. Patients take three pills (two tablets of nirmatrelvir and one tablet of ritonavir) twice a day for five days, for a total of 30 pills. Treatment must begin within five days of the onset of symptoms. [Research](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9880690/) has shown that when taken in this time frame, Paxlovid can help you get over COVID-19 faster. Nirmatrelvir helps prevent the novel coronavirus from replicating, while ritonavir slows the breakdown of nirmatrelvir to extend its presence and maintain its concentration in the body. Paxlovid may not be a good fit for people with poorly managed or undiagnosed HIV, as well as those with severe liver or kidney disease. Paxlovid also may interfere with various medications, [which the FDA lists on its website](https://www.fda.gov/media/155050/download). Side effects include the following, according to the FDA: - High blood pressure - Muscle aches - Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea - Loss of taste ### Molnupiravir Molnupiravir is authorized for use only in adults who test positive for COVID-19 and are at risk of complications or death from the disease, notes the FDA. Four pills are taken twice a day for five days, for a total of 40 pills. It works by causing a fatal genetic mutation in the coronavirus, according to an [article published in 2021 in *Nature*](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02783-1). Like Paxlovid, molnupiravir should be taken within five days of COVID-19 symptom onset. The FDA recommends the drug only when Paxlovid and remdesivir (see below) are not accessible or clinically appropriate. The agency advises pregnant women to avoid molnupiravir because some animal studies have found that the drug may cause birth defects. Side effects of molnupiravir may include the following, per the FDA: - Nausea - Dizziness - Diarrhea Be sure to talk to your doctor about any health conditions you have and any medications you’re taking if you’re prescribed Paxlovid or molnupiravir. ### Remdesivir [Remdesivir (Veklury)](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/214787s030lbl.pdf), the antiviral infusion medication that doctors have used to treat people hospitalized due to COVID-19 since early in the pandemic, is an option for people recovering from COVID-19 at home, too. In 2022, the FDA expanded eligibility for remdesivir to adults, children, and babies with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of severe illness. Healthcare providers administer remdesivir with an IV in sessions that take place over three consecutive days, requiring patients to make repeat visits to a hospital or outpatient clinic. Talk to your primary medical team about whether you are an appropriate candidate for remdesivir and whether the benefits outweigh the risks given your health status.