The Health District offers both Paxlovid and Molnupiravir to patients who meet the criteria for treatment.

Paxlovid continues to be available for people age 65 and older and people age 12 to 64 who are at risk for severe illness. Additionally, people must test positive for COVID-19 and must have had onset of symptoms within the last five days. Molnupiravir has similar indications for use but can only be used by those 18 years of age and older and is not indicated for use during pregnancy.

People can either come to the COVID-19 testing clinic at the Health District’s 280 S. Decatur Blvd. public health center to be evaluated and provided with the treatment, if indicated, or they can speak to their health care provider, who can evaluate them and if treatment is indicated, can provide a prescription, which can be filled at the 280 S. Decatur public health center. The treatments are free.

Paxlovid Frequently Asked Questions

A study found that Paxlovid reduced the chance of hospitalization or death by 88%.

Paxlovid is indicated for the treatment of mild-moderate COVID-19 in adults and children (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with a positive COVID-19 test who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. People must have symptoms of COVID-19 and those symptoms must have started within the last five days.

Anyone 65 years of age or older.

Anyone 12 to 64 years of age with one or more of the following:

  • Cancer
  • Cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic lung disease (ie, asthma, COPD, CF)
  • Diabetes
  • Down Syndrome
  • Heart disease
  • HIV
  • Mental health disorder
  • Neurological condition, including dementia
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy or recent pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
  • Smoker (current or former)
  • Transplant recipient
  • Substance abuse disorder
  • Tuberculosis
  • Use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs

Paxlovid is not indicated for the initiation of treatment in those requiring hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19 disease. It is also not indicated to prevent infection with COVID-19. And it is not indicated in people with certain medical conditions or who are taking certain medications.

Paxlovid is dispensed in a packet and is taken by mouth. The usual dose is three pills that are taken twice a day for five days.

Known side effects are generally mild and affect less than 10% of recipients. These include diarrhea, muscle aches, elevated blood pressure, and altered sensation of taste.

Paxlovid is only for those with mild to moderate disease who are at risk for severe disease. Those with severe COVID-19 already should present to their nearest emergency room for further evaluation and treatment.

Please visit the COVID-19 testing clinic at the Health District’s main campus at 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107 for prompt testing and screening for eligibility. If you test positive, meet the eligibility requirements, and are interested in treatment, you will be set up for a virtual appointment with one of our providers. Additionally, your health care provider can evaluate you and if treatment is indicated, they can issue you a prescription and that prescription can be filled at the Health District’s pharmacy, located at 280 S. Decatur Blvd.

More information is available on the FDA’s fact sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/155052/download

The FDA is aware of reports of some patients developing recurrent COVID-19 symptoms after completing a 5-day treatment course of Paxlovid. In some cases patients tested negative and then positive again. This may affect 1-2% of patients who finish their treatment. On review of the clinical data, there was no increased occurrence of hospitalization or death, or development of drug resistance, and treatment with Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 88% overall. At this time, the FDA does not recommend retreatment or extension of treatment beyond the initial 5-day course. However, patients should follow CDC recommendations regarding patient isolation and mask-wearing should they experience rebound symptoms after Paxlovid treatment. For more information, please see the FDA’s Paxlovid update.

Molnupiravir Frequently Asked Questions

Molnupiravir is a new oral antiviral medication to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease in people who are at high risk for severe COVID-19. Molnupiravir received an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA in December 2021. 

A study found that Molnupiravir reduced the chance of hospitalization or death by 30%.

Molnupiravir is indicated for the treatment of mild-moderate COVID-19 in adults with a positive COVID-19 test who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Persons must have symptoms of COVID-19 and those symptoms must have started within the last five days.  

Anyone 65 years of age or older

Anyone 18 to 64 years of age with one or more of the following:

  • Cancer
  • Cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic lung disease (i.e., asthma, COPD, CF)
  • Diabetes
  • Down Syndrome
  • Heart disease
  • HIV
  • Mental health disorder
  • Neurological condition, including dementia
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy or recent pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
  • Smoker (current or former)
  • Transplant recipient
  • Substance abuse disorder
  • Tuberculosis
  • Use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs

Molnupiravir is not indicated for the initiation of treatment in people requiring hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19 disease. It is also not indicated to prevent infection with COVID-19. And it is not indicated in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Molnupiravir is dispensed as capsules that are taken by mouth. The usual dose is four capsules that are taken every 12 hours for five days.

Side effects that have been observed include diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness.

Molnupiravir is only for those with mild to moderate disease who are at risk for severe disease. People with severe COVID-19 already should present to their nearest emergency room for further evaluation and treatment.

Please visit the Southern Nevada Health District’s main campus at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89107, for prompt testing and screening for eligibility. If you test positive, meet the eligibility requirements, and are interested in treatment, you will be set up for a virtual appointment with one of our providers. Additionally, your health care provider can evaluate you. If treatment is indicated, they can issue you a prescription, and that prescription can be filled at the Health District’s pharmacy, located at 280 S. Decatur Blvd.

Please see the fact sheet from the FDA: www.molnupiravir-us.com/patients