COVID-19 medicine

If you have COVID-19 and have risk factors for getting very sick with COVID-19, medicines are available that can decrease your risk of going to the hospital or dying. People who are more likely to get very sick include:

• Older adults (especially ages 65 years or older);
• People who are unvaccinated or not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines;
• People with certain medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system.

Do not delay. Treatments must be started within 5-7 days after you first develop symptoms to be effective.

Types of medicine to treat COVID-19 outside of the hospital

FDA has approved or authorized several medicines to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick but are not currently hospitalized. Additional information about COVID-19 treatments can be found on the  CDC website.

Health care providers can find more information on treatment options at the following websites:

• Infectious Diseases Society of America: Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19
• CDC Clinical Care Quick Reference for COVID-19

The most commonly used medicines are listed in the table below. For more information on additional medicines, please see FDA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Drugs. For information on help accessing these medications, please see Accessing Antiviral Medications for COVID-19.

Medicine to prevent COVID-19

In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, a medicine called pemivibart (Pemgarda) is available to prevent COVID-19. Pemivibart is a monoclonal antibody available under emergency use authorization by the FDA. This medication is not a treatment for COVID-19 or a replacement for COVID-19 vaccines, but can provide extra protection to immunocompromised people 12 years of age and older. This medication must be given before you are exposed to COVID-19. Talk to your health care provider if you have a weakened immune system or have questions about this type of medication.

COVID-19 medicine patient assistance programs

If you are asked to pay for COVID-19 medicine and do not have health insurance, or your health insurance does not cover the full cost of the medicine, you may qualify for a patient assistance program. Visit Accessing Antiviral Medications for COVID-19 to learn more.

Getting medicine for COVID-19

There are a few ways to get COVID-19 medication in Colorado.

If you have a doctor or health care provider:

1. Call your provider. Tell them you have just tested positive for COVID-19, or suspect you have COVID-19, and want to learn more about COVID-19 medicine. Tell your provider about any other medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. 
2. Your provider will ask you some questions. This will help them decide if COVID-19 medicine is right for you and what kind might be best.
3. Your provider may recommend a specific kind of medicine. If they have it on hand, they may ask you to come into their office to get it.
4. If your provider does not have the kind of medication you need in their office, you can use the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ treatments map to find a nearby pharmacy or clinic location with the type of medicine your provider recommends. 
5. Tell your doctor or health care provider the name and phone number of the closest pharmacy or clinic location that has the recommended medicine.
6. Your doctor will write you a prescription and send it to the nearby location. 
7. Go to the location. Depending on the type of medicine, you may receive an infusion on-site or pick up pills to take at home over the next few days.
8. Options for reduced and no-cost COVID-19 medications are available. Visit Accessing Antiviral Medications for COVID-19 to learn more.

If you don’t have a doctor or health care provider, or you can’t reach your regular provider fast enough:

A telehealth provider can help evaluate you for COVID-19 medication fast, even if you don’t have a provider or insurance. These options may have out-of-pocket fees for patients without insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you are encouraged to apply for Health First Colorado - Colorado's Medicaid Program.

Options for reduced and no-cost COVID-19 medications are available. Visit Accessing Antiviral Medications for COVID-19 to learn more.

Telehealth means connecting with a health care provider over the phone or through a video call. 

1. Find a telehealth provider and make an appointment. Many insurance companies provide telehealth services for their members. Contact your insurance company to learn if telehealth services are available through your plan. If you don’t have insurance, you can find an appointment using a fee-based telehealth company. Many providers offer same-day or next-day appointments.

Telehealth providers operating in Colorado include:

• Carbon Health
• Doctor on Demand by Included Health
• Healthtap
• Sesame

2. This list is not an endorsement or recommendation by CDPHE. There may be other telehealth companies operating in Colorado that are not listed here.
3. The telehealth provider will ask you some questions to find out if medication is right for you and what kind you might be able to take. Tell the telehealth provider about any other medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking.
4. If the provider recommends medicine, they will write you a prescription and send it to a pharmacy or infusion center near you.
5. Go to the location. Depending on the type of medicine, you may receive an infusion on-site or pick up pills to take at home over the next few days.