PRIMARY AND FAMILY CARE SPECIALISTS
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COVID-19 Antibody Therapy
COVID-19 Antibody Therapy was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) declaration for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients who qualify for treatment. This therapy has been proven to keep patients from worsening to the point of requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19 by 87%.
This therapy is not a substitute for a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Antibody Therapy was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) declaration for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients who qualify for treatment. This therapy has been proven to keep patients from worsening to the point of requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19 by 87%.
COVID-19 Antibody Therapy
What you should know.
How COVID-19 Antibody Therapy Works:
- Laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses.
Who can receive this therapy?
- Can be given to any patient (including pediatric) who has COVID-19, vaccinated or unvaccinated
- Can be be given post exposure to unvaccinated patients or vaccinated patients who are immunocompromised or cannot mount a sufficient antibody response
How long does it take to receive this therapy?
- For those who are exposed, you can receive injections with a 60 minute observation
How effective is it?
- 93% reduction in getting symptomatic COVID-19 if taken after an exposure
- 87% reduction in hospitalization
- 70% reduction in mortality
- Decreases symptoms by 2 weeks
- Decreases your viral load so you are less contagious and have less severe symptoms
Are there any side effects or contraindications?
- Not to be used with people that have significant symptoms.
- The most common reported side effects are nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, itchiness, and vomiting. Rare severe allergic reactions have been reported in clinical studies.
- Allergic reactions can happen during and after infusion with COVID-19 Antibody Therapy. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of allergic reactions: fever, chills, nausea, headache, shortness of breath, low or high blood pressure, rapid or slow heart rate, chest discomfort or pain, weakness, confusion, feeling tired, wheezing, swelling of your lips, face, or throat, rash including hives, itching, muscle aches, feeling faint, dizziness and sweating. These reactions may be severe or life threatening.
- Worsening symptoms after treatment: You may experience new or worsening symptoms after infusion, including fever, difficulty breathing, rapid or slow heart rate, tiredness, weakness or confusion. If these occur, contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical attention as some of these events have required hospitalization. It is unknown if these events are related to treatment or are due to the progression of COVID-19.
- It is possible that COVID-19 Antibody Therapy could interfere with your body’s own ability to fight off a future infection of COVID-19. Similarly, this therapy may reduce your body’s immune response to a vaccine for COVID-19. Specific studies have not been conducted to address these possible risks. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
- The side effects of getting any medicine by vein may include brief pain, bleeding, bruising of the skin, soreness, swelling, and possible infection at the infusion site.
- Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Piramzadian will be pre-screening every patient for eligibility.
Can this be used instead of vaccine?
- NO – this is absolutely not a substitute for vaccine. Vaccines elicit a broad immune response. COVID-19 Antibody Therapy is only to be used in specific cases.
What are the costs?
- No cost to patients
Anything else I should know?
- COVID-19 Antibody Therapy is currently permitted under the EUA.
- Currently there are only a few non-hospital healthcare facilities across the country offering and StarMed is proud to help in this capacity with the main goal being to preventing hospitalizations.