Outpatient Antiviral Treatment for COVID-19

Whether you’re a patient or a provider there are many considerations to know before taking or prescribing the new oral antiviral medications, Paxlovid, and molnupiravir. Indicated for the treatment of COVID-19, Paxlovid and molnupiravir are approved under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

Join me for a conversation with Drs. Tyler Melton and Brandon Hawkins, Pharm D, and assistant professors in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as we discuss what you need to know about these medications. Paxlovid and molnupiravir, protease inhibitors, are highly effective in the treatment of COVID-19 in the outpatient setting but have very specific instructions for use. Drs. Melton and Hawkins discuss the drug-drug interactions with both medications, how long males and females must consider alternative methods of birth control during this drug administration and after, as well as both medications being limited to select pharmacy chains.

More about Dr. Melton:
Tyler Melton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), College of Pharmacy. He has ten years of pharmacy practice experience including inpatient and outpatient pharmacy in rural environments. Tyler joined UTHSC in September of 2020, after completing a postdoctoral research fellowship in Community Pharmacy Practice and Prescription Drug Abuse and earning his Master of Public Health from East Tennessee State University. His areas of research expertise include community pharmacy practice, ambulatory care, rural health, health disparities, and prescription drug misuse.

More about Dr. Hawkins:
Brandon K. Hawkins, PharmD, BCIDP, AAHIVP is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy. After obtaining his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, he completed PGY1 Pharmacy Practice and PGY2 Infectious Diseases residencies at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Hawkins maintains an active clinical practice at The University of Tennessee Medical Center supporting the infectious diseases consult service, antimicrobial stewardship practices, and precepting pharmacy students and residents. His research interests include microbiology-based stewardship interventions, as well as Gram-positive and immunocompromised infections. In addition to his clinical practice and scholarly activities, Dr. Hawkins serves on the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.


Websites:
https://thatshealthful.com/

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-treatments-therapeutics/index.html

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19

https://www.fda.gov/media/155050/download#:~:text=5%20consecutive%20days.-,PAXLOVID%20may%20only%20be%20prescribed%20for%20an%20individual%20patient%20by,i.e.%2C%20anti%2Dinfectives)

https://www.fda.gov/media/155054/download

Twitter:
@nowhealthful, @Lisa_APRN, @UTHSCnursing

Instagram:
@thatshealthful, @lbeasley0412, @uthscnursing

Hashtags:
#COVID19, #Nursing, #Nurses, #collaboration, #pharmacy, #pharmacists, #antiviral, #publichealth, #vaccines, #vaccinated

The “That’s Healthful” podcast is hosted by Dr. Lisa Beasley, a Family Nurse Practitioner, and faculty in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Visit thatshealthful.com for more information or to hear prior episodes. Please follow @nowhealthful on Twitter and thatshealthful on Instagram. Like or comment on an episode wherever you listen or stream your favorite podcasts.

Music for this episode is provided by local Memphis singer, musician, and songwriter – Devan Yanik. For more of Devan’s music visit devanmusic.weebly.com.