Paxlovid™ is taken orally in pill form. One dose is a combination of two nirmatrelvir (pink) tablets and one ritonavir (white) tablet, taken twice a day for five days. Patients with a reduced kidney function may have their dose reduced to two pills twice a day for five days.

Remdesivir is given intravenously (through a vein) by a qualified health professional. The medicine is given over 30 minutes. You will be watched closely for another 15 to 30 minutes after getting the treatment. You can expect the appointment to last about 1.5 hours, including setup time.

Treatment with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir should be initiated as soon as possible after a diagnosis of COVID-19 has been made, and within 5 days of symptom onset in adult patients who have either of the following:.

Criteria: Age 18 or older AND Immunocompromised*

• Severe immunosuppression, such as:
  • recipient of solid organ transplant
  • treatment for a malignant hematologic condition
  • bone marrow-, stem cell transplant-, or transplant-related immunosuppressant use
  • receipt of an anti-CD20 drugs or B-cell depleting drugs (such as rituximab) in the past 2 years
  • Severe primary immunodeficiencies
• Moderate immunosuppression, such as:
  • treatment for cancer, including solid tumors
  • treatment with significantly immunosuppressing drugs (e.g., a biologic in the past 3 months, oral immune-suppressing medication in the past months, oral steroid [20 mg/day of prednisone equivalent taken on an ongoing basis] in the past month, or immune-suppressing infusion or injection in the past 3 months).
  • advanced HIV infection (treated or untreated)
  • moderate primary immunodeficiencies
  • renal conditions (i.e., hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, glomerulonephritis and dispensing of a steroid, eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2)

*Immunocompromised patients under 18 years of age should consult with their specialist for consideration of treatment.

If you have any questions about your eligibility status, more information can be found in the FAQs:

• Paxlovid™ Patient FAQ
• Remdesivir Patient FAQ

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and you believe you meet the eligibility criteria (above), please call your primary care practitioner. If you don’t have one, or your primary care practitioner isn’t prescribing Paxlovid, call the dedicated line at 1-844-343-0971 to find out if you qualify to receive treatment. Do not call 811.

When you call, you will be asked to leave a message. Staff will call you back and ask you some questions before referring you to a health professional who will determine if you are eligible, get your consent and write you a prescription for Paxlovid™ or book an appointment for you to receive Remdesivir at either a third-party site, in your home or at an AHS site.

If you will be receiving Paxlovid™, the prescribing physician will direct you to pick up your prescription at the closest community pharmacy that is stocking Paxlovid™. Patients who cannot have their prescription picked up by someone else are advised to have it delivered or arrange for curb-side pickup to mitigate the risk of spreading the infection.

Please make sure you have the following information prepared before calling:

• Date That Your Symptoms Started
• COVID-19 Vaccination Status
• Current Medication List (including over-the-counter and health products)

During your assessment, a physician will recommend which treatment is best for you, but you won’t be able to choose which medication you receive.

Recent evidence suggests Sotrovimab and Evusheld may not be effective in treating or, in the case of Evusheld, preventing, the dominant COVID-19 variants in Alberta at this time. Paxlovid and Remdesivir are the only two medications recommended at this time. In situations where neither of these medications can be prescribed, your physician may consider Sotrovimab or Evusheld on a case-by-case basis.

Quick Reference

Paxlovid™

• Patients FAQ
• Healthcare Providers FAQ

Remdesivir

• Patients FAQ
• Healthcare Providers FAQ