Treatments
Non-medical treatments
Non-medical treatments for patients and staff experiencing virus symptoms include:
- complete rest
- drinking plenty of fluids
- eating healthy foods
- practising good hygiene
Advise patients and staff to avoid the workplace if they have symptoms and remind them of the generic benefits of mask wearing (e.g. reduced transmission of all respiratory viruses).
Oral antiviral treatments
Oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19
Two antiviral medicines, Lagevrio (molnupiravir) and Paxlovid© (nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir), were provisionally approved for use in Australia for the treatment of COVID-19 in January 2022. Both are now available via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as Authority Required (Streamlined) items.
Eligible patients are now able to access these medicines from their local pharmacy, where available, with a prescription from their doctor or nurse practitioner.
To support safe and appropriate prescribing of these medicines, the RACGP has published guidance on prescribing each of these medications. The National Clinical Evidence Taskforce (the Taskforce) has released treatment recommendations for the use of both Paxlovid and Lagevrio. The Taskforce’s latest recommendation on the use of Lagevrio is ‘Do not routinely use molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19.’
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has also published guidance on the use of Lagevrio and Paxlovid:
Oral antiviral treatments for Influenza
Tamiflu© is an oral antiviral used for both post-exposure chemoprophylaxis and to treat Influenza A and B infections.
Tamiflu clinical guidance, including dosage information and therapeutic indications can be found at the Tamiflu product information page.