COVID-19 medicine

If you have COVID-19, you may be able to get medicine to help you recover. COVID-19 medications work best if they are taken within a few days of when you first get sick. It’s important to seek treatment quickly to lower your risk of serious illness, especially if you are aged 50 or older or have certain medical conditions.

Fill out CDPHE’s COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Plan worksheet using the information on this webpage so you’re prepared to ask about treatment if you start feeling sick.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms and your symptoms began within the past few days, call your doctor or health care provider as soon as you can to ask about getting medication. If you do not have a provider or health insurance, you can find a place to get medicine using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 treatments map. Click “Locations participating in the Paxlovid USG Patient Assistance Program (PAP)” on the left side of the screen to find providers with free Paxlovid for people who rely on Medicare or Medicaid for health insurance coverage or are uninsured.

Medication for preventing COVID-19

A medication called Pemgarda is for people who are at higher risk for serious disease from COVID-19 because they have weakened immune systems. 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.

Getting medicine

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 as well.
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. On the first screen, select what treatments and/or patient assistance programs you are interested in, for example, “Locations participating in the Paxlovid USG Patient Assistance Program (PAP)” from the menu. Then click “ok” on the bottom right. Once the map comes up, please enter the desired address or zip code to see options in that area.
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.

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

Test to Treat or telehealth 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. Coloradans without insurance are encouraged to apply for Health First Colorado - Colorado's Medicaid Program.

If you do not have health insurance or your health insurance does not cover the cost of COVID-19 medicine, you may qualify for a patient assistance program. Learn more about Pfizer’s PAXCESS program for help getting Paxlovid and Merck’s patient assistance program for help getting Lagevrio.

Types of medicine

There are different types of medicine that can treat COVID-19. Find more information on the types of COVID-19 medication on the FDA’s website.

Antiviral medications can be either pills you take by mouth or IV infusions. They target specific parts of the virus to stop it from copying itself.

Convalescent plasma is plasma from individuals who have recently recovered from COVID-19 infection. The plasma, or liquid part of the blood, contains antibodies against the virus. These antibodies can help neutralize or kill the virus to help you recover. It is authorized only for people who are immunosuppressed or are on immunosuppressive treatments. Research is ongoing to better understand the benefits and risks of this treatment.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-made proteins that help the body fight disease. They are for people who have health conditions or take medications that weaken their immune systems. The currently authorized monoclonal antibody is given as an IV infusion to prevent COVID-19 in people who may not be protected by vaccination alone. These medications are not a replacement for COVID-19 vaccination. 

Other factors influence eligibility, and this is an abbreviated table. Find more complete guidance for prescribers.