Coronavirus (COVID-19) Drug Therapies

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The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated.

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COVID-19 drug therapies in New Brunswick

PaxlovidTM, an oral anti-viral treatment for COVID-19 is available in New Brunswick for certain individuals. For more information on treatments currently available in New Brunswick click on the name below:

Paxlovid

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COVID-19 treatment

Paxlovid TM

On January 17, 2022, Health Canada authorized nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (PAXLOVID™), Canada’s first oral antiviral treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who do not require hospitalization and are at high risk of progressing to serious illness.

Paxlovid is a therapeutic treatment for COVID-19 which is currently approved for people who have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

Paxlovid is an oral antiviral that can be taken at home.

Therapeutic treatment like Paxlovid is currently only available for people who are at high risk of serious illness. Paxlovid is not a substitute for vaccination.

Paxlovid does not stop you from getting COVID-19. It is used to prevent severe illness in people who are at higher risk from COVID-19. 

Paxlovid has numerous significant and serious drug interactions and may not be appropriate for all people.

To be effective, it must be taken within 5 days of developing symptoms.

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Who can benefit from treatment with PaxlovidTM

Paxlovid is recommended for adults over 18 if they:

  • have tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR Test, Abbott ID Now or Point of Care Test (POCT); and
  • have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 that started within the last 5 days, and
  • are at higher risk of severe outcomes.

You may be considered at higher risk of severe outcomes if you meet one or more of the following:

  • are not fully vaccinated,
  • are an older adult - risk increases with age,
  • have one or more chronic medical conditions,
  • are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical condition or treatment,

Depending on your age and health status, you may still be considered at higher risk of developing severe outcomes - even if you have received all of the COVID-19 vaccine doses that you are eligible for.



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How to access PaxlovidTM

  • Contact your primary care provider.
  • Inform your provider that you have tested positive for COVID-19, and you would like to be assessed for Paxlovid.
  • If you do not have or cannot reach your primary care provider, please contact a participating pharmacy to be assessed. The list of participating pharmacies can be found here.
  • If you cannot access a provider or pharmacy to be assessed, then call 811 or visit https://www.evisitnb.ca/. You will be assessed and, if appropriate, will be given an appointment with a nurse practitioner or doctor.
  • To access Paxlovid, individuals must have a confirmed positive test, either PCR or Point of Care Test (POCT) and start Paxlovid within 5 days of symptom onset.

 

 

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