COVID-19 medicines

This is an info guide about COVID-19 medicines.

Medicines are things you take to get better when you are sick.

The NSW Government made this guide.

You can ask someone for help to read this guide.

This might be a:

• family member
• friend
• support worker.

The COVID-19 medicines can help stop you getting very sick from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 medicines can help stop you:
 

• going to hospital

• having trouble breathing.

Lots of people who get COVID-19 will be OK at home.

They might not need the COVID-19 medicines.

If you get COVID-19 you might be able to get the COVID-19 medicines.

You can get the medicines if you are 70 years or older.

You can get the medicines if you are: 

• 50 years or older
  
  and
   
• you have health issues that could make you very sick from COVID-19.

You can get the medicines if you are: 

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  
  and
   
• 30 years or older
  
  and
   
• you have health issues that could make you very sick from COVID-19.

You can get the medicines if you are:

• 18 years or older
  
  and
   
• you have problems with your immune system

    or

• you have stayed in hospital when you were sick with COVID-19.

Your immune system helps your body to not get sick.

You take the COVID-19 medicines when you get COVID-19.

You can only take the medicines if a doctor says you can.

The medicines work best if you start to take them as soon as possible.

You can talk to your doctor now about the medicines.

They can tell you if you might need to take the medicines if you get COVID-19.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms you should get a COVID-19 test.

Symptoms are signs you might be sick.

COVID-19 symptoms are things like:

• fever

• headaches

• sore throat

• runny nose.

For more Easy Read info about COVID-19 symptoms see:

www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/support/symptoms

You can get the COVID-19 medicines if you get a positive result from a COVID-19 test.

A positive result means you have COVID-19.

A COVID-19 test could be:

• a rapid antigen test
• a PCR test.

For more Easy Read info about rapid antigen tests see:

www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/support/easy-read/rapid-antigen-tests

For more Easy Read info about PCR tests see:

www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/support/easy-read/pcr-test

If you get a positive result you should tell your doctor as soon as you can.

The doctor will tell you:

• if you can take the medicines

• where to get the medicines.

If you get COVID-19 you can choose to self isolate.

Self isolate means you stay at home away from other people.

You might need help to get the medicines if you decide to stay home and self isolate.

You should ask the doctor if someone can bring the medicines to your home.

This might be a

• family member

• friend

• support worker.

You can take the COVID-19 medicines as injection or tablets.

Injection is when the medicine is put into your body with a needle.

Tablets are medicines you swallow with your mouth.

For some people it is hard to swallow.

The medicines can be made into a drink if you can not swallow.

You can tell your doctor if it is hard for you to swallow.

They will tell you how you can take the medicines.

There are numbers you can call to get more info about the COVID-19 medicines.

The Healthdirect Health Advice Line gives free info about COVID-19 to everyone in Australia.

You can call the Healthdirect Health Advice Line on 1800 022 222.

They can tell you if you can take the COVID-19 medicines.

The COVID-19 medicines cost about $10 if you have a concession card.

A concession card is a government card that lets you buy medicines cheaper.

If you do not have a concession card the COVID-19 medicines cost about $45.

You can ask your doctor if you can get the COVID-19 medicines cheaper.

The COVID-19 medicines are different to the
COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccines are other medicines that can help stop you:
 

• getting COVID-19

• getting very sick if you get COVID-19.

You take the COVID-19 vaccines as an injection.

COVID-19 vaccines are still the best way to stop you from getting very sick from COVID-19.

For more Easy Read info about COVID-19 vaccines see:

www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/support/covid-19-vaccines.

Return to COVID-19 Easy Read home page