Coronasivun kuvakaruselli

Early medicinal treatment of a coronavirus infection

Early medicinal treatment of a coronavirus infection

Paxlovid® (active substances nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) is a coronavirus medicine that is taken orally for those aged 18 or over who are at risk of developing severe coronavirus disease due to illness, medication that weakens the immune system or age. The medication must be started as soon as possible from the onset of coronavirus symptoms, at the latest within 5 days. Before the medication, the diagnosis must be confirmed by a PCR test taken in health care services.

Who can receive medicinal treatment?

Medicinal treatment can be provided to adults who belong to a risk group for a severe coronavirus infection and to a target group:

A. Patients belonging to a risk group with highly predisposing conditions for severe coronavirus disease, regardless of vaccinations received:

  • organ or stem cell transplantation within 6 months or continuing strong anti-rejection medication
  • active cancer treatment (cancer or treatment that severely weakens the immune system)
  • severe immune system disorder, such as a severe immune deficiency or a HIV infection with a low helper cell count

B. Unvaccinated patients belonging to a risk group with highly predisposing conditions for severe coronavirus disease:

  • severe chronic kidney disease
  • severe chronic lung disease
  • medicated type 2 diabetes
  • Down syndrome

C. Unvaccinated patients over 40 years of age belonging to a risk group with predisposing conditions for severe coronavirus disease:

  • asthma requiring continuous medication
  • severe heart disease
  • neurological illness or condition that affects breathing
  • immunosuppressive drug therapy for autoimmune disease
  • severe chronic liver disease
  • type 1 diabetes or adrenal insufficiency
  • severe or moderate sleep apnoea
  • morbid obesity BMI>40

D. The Paxlovid medication can also be started independently for patients over 80 years of age living at home if they have received less than 4 vaccine doses.

Who should I contact?

If the coronavirus test taken in health care services is positive and less than five days have elapsed since the onset of the symptoms, contact during office hours:

  • The Siun Sote outpatient clinic treating your chronic illness (patients belonging to groups A and B who have a care contact in specialised medical care)
  • Your health station (groups B, C and D)

The medicines you use currently may prevent the use of the medicine, and the physician assesses the achievable benefits and disadvantages on a case-by-case basis.
If the treating physician finds that Paxlovid medication is appropriate, the medication is free for the patient. The medication lasts for five days.