For six years, COVID-19 medicine has arrived after the fact — something to take once you were already sick. A drug approved this summer works the other way around.
According to the FDA, on June 1 it approved Xocova, known generically as ensitrelvir, the first oral medicine for the person who has been exposed but is not sick yet.
In the trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants at higher risk were 76 percent less likely to develop symptoms.
Xocova is prescription-only and cleared for ages 12 and up. The drug is can’t be taken with certain prescriptions, so a doctor must review.
When someone in your household starts to have symptoms, have them tested for covid the same day. If they are positive, immediately start your course of Xocova, with your doctor’s approval.
Allyson Good curates senior living, health, and family content. She is formerly the Managing Editor of Active Life, a print newspaper published in 2016-2017 for seniors, choosing practical articles on health, money, safety, and everyday living for older readers. She is also an avid gardener and offers up Garden Hints and Tips on a regular basis.
