About this course

Several SARS-CoV-2 virus variants have emerged since the pandemic started. Alongside the threat of these emerging variants, the evidence for COVID-19 therapeutics has likewise grown.

In the last two years alone, several medications have been shown to prevent hospitalization among vulnerable groups who have non-severe COVID-19 infection. However, guidelines continue to change as some drugs are deemed ineffective for emerging COVID subvariants. This e-learning module reviews the most recent outpatient medications recommended by the WHO for non-severe COVID-19 infection, the mechanism of action of these drugs, their adverse effects, and summarizes the available evidence regarding these therapeutic options.

Learning outcomes

• Identify the most recent outpatient medications recommended by the WHO for non-severe COVID-19 infection
• Understand the mechanism of action of these drugs, their adverse effects, indications, and contraindications
• Review the available evidence regarding these therapeutic options

Topics covered

• Introduction
• WHO COVID-19 severity definitions
• Identifying patients at risk for hospitalization
• Risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes
• Recommended action points for management
• Active monitoring, preventive measures
• Consider therapeutic options
• Overview of outpatient medications
• Antivirals: Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir, Remdesivir, Molnupiravir
• Monoclonal antibodies: Bamlanivimab-Etesevimab, Bebtelovimab, Casirivimab-Imdevimab, Sotrovimab
• Current WHO recommendations
• Recent updates