COVID-19 therapies: What You Need to Know
When working with COVID-19 therapies, the range of medicines and interventions used to treat or prevent SARS‑CoV‑2 infection. Also known as COVID‑19 treatments, it helps clinicians and patients manage disease severity, reduce hospital stays, and improve recovery odds.
One major branch of these therapies is antiviral drugs, medications that directly block the virus from replicating inside cells. Examples like Paxlovid, Molnupiravir, and Remdesivir fall under this group. Antivirals require early testing because they work best before the virus multiplies widely. They also influence the need for later interventions such as hospitalization or oxygen support. If you catch COVID early and start an antiviral, chances are you’ll skip the more intense phases of treatment.
Beyond antivirals: antibodies and immune‑modulating drugs
Another powerful set of options comes from monoclonal antibodies, lab‑engineered proteins that attach to the virus and neutralize it. Brands like Bebtelovimab and Sotrovimab have shown they can cut the risk of severe disease by half when given promptly. Monoclonal antibodies require a confirmed positive test and are most useful for high‑risk patients who can’t get vaccinated or have a weakened immune system.
When the virus triggers a runaway inflammatory response, clinicians turn to immunomodulators, drugs that tone down the immune system’s overreaction. Dexamethasone, baricitinib, and tocilizumab fall into this category and are typically reserved for patients on supplemental oxygen or in intensive care. The relationship is clear: antiviral drugs aim at the virus, while immunomodulators aim at the body’s response. Together, they form a two‑pronged strategy that addresses both the cause and the consequence of severe COVID‑19.
Supportive care rounds out the picture. Simple measures—oxygen therapy, fluid management, and proper nutrition—are the backbone that lets the advanced drugs work effectively. While not a "drug" per se, supportive care enables antivirals and immunomodulators to do their job without the patient’s condition spiraling out of control.
All these pieces—antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, immunomodulators, and supportive care—interact in predictable ways. Understanding how each fits helps you or your loved one make smarter choices when a COVID‑19 diagnosis lands on your doorstep. Below, you’ll find a curated set of articles that dive deeper into each category, compare specific products, and offer practical tips for safe use.
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