Pemgarda, a COVID Drug is FDA authorized for High-Risk Patients

The FDA has approved the emergency use of Pemivibart, a medication for immunocompromised individuals, to protect them from COVID-19.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the emergency use of a medication (EUA) to shield immunocompromised individuals against COVID-19. Pemivibart, also known as PemgardaTM, is a medication prescribed for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, weigh more than 88 pounds, and are at least 12 years of age.

During a public health emergency, the FDA can expedite the availability of medications, vaccines, and other items by using an EUA. Even though COVID's proclaimed public health emergency ended in May 2023, the FDA is still able to issue EUAs in connection with the disease.

Immunocompromised individuals have immune systems that aren't functioning as effectively as they should to fight infections. This might be due to immunologically suppressing medications or therapies like immunotherapy, or it can be a result of a medical illness like cancer that impairs immune function. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a class of medication that includes Pemgarda that is used to prevent COVID-19 infection. Pemgarda is not recommended for use by anyone who has COVID or who has recently been in contact with someone who has the virus.

On the other hand, anyone considered to be at high risk of developing a serious illness, including those with compromised immune systems, should take Remdesivir and Paxlovid following a confirmed COVID-19 infection.