Medications for COVID

Woman holding white pill on hand and drinking water in glass on sofa in house, feels like sick.

Medicines are available for eligible people to treat and prevent COVID-19

People with a high risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 can get medicine to help them stay well. There are medicines to:

  • treat COVID-19 symptoms if you get infected
  • reduce your chances of getting COVID-19.

COVID-19 medicines do not replace vaccination.

Only people most likely to need hospital care can get COVID-19 medicines. This includes people who:

  • are aged 70 and over
  • are aged 50 and over with certain health conditions
  • aged 30 and over with certain health conditions and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • have a weakened immune system, disability or are born with heart disease.

Most other people can manage COVID-19 safely at home without these medicines.

Find out if you are eligible for COVID-19 medicines

Answer some simple questions to learn if you might be able to access medicine to treat COVID-19.

Start COVID-19 medicine check

How to get COVID-19 medicine

  1. Get tested as soon as you notice symptoms to confirm you have COVID-19. Visit our webpage to find out where to get tested.
  2. Report your positive RAT result online or call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. If you need an interpreter, press 0 when you call. If you had a PCR test at a private pathology practice or GP Respiratory Clinic, you do not need to report your test.
  3. Find out if you can get COVID-19 medicine using this tool or by calling the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
  4. See a GP to talk about COVID-19 medicine. If you can't get an appointment with a GP or at a GP Respiratory Clinic, contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.
  5. A GP will prescribe you COVID-19 medicine if you are eligible. For most COVID-19 medicine to work best, you must take it within five days of getting sick. You should take the medication even if your symptoms are mild. Find out where to get oral antiviral medicine.

You can see a GP before you get COVID-19 to discuss if COVID-19 medicine is right for you. Having a plan for what to do if you get COVID-19 will mean that you can start taking medicine as soon as possible.

Medicines to treat COVID-19

Medicines are available to treat COVID-19. Some of these medicines are called 'oral treatments' or 'antivirals'. They stop people from getting so sick that they need to go to hospital.

COVID-19 medicines do not replace vaccination. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Some medicines available to treat COVID-19 are:

  • Oral antiviral tablets (PaxlovidTM and LagevrioTM)
  • Antiviral infusion (remdesivir)
  • Corticosteroid puffers (PulmicortTM and AlvescoTM)

Some of these medicines are only available at hospitals. A GP will refer you to a hospital if you need these. You may also get referrals and support through the COVID Positive Pathways Program.

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