Wednesday, February 17, 2021
San Juan Regional Medical Center Updates Criteria for Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Treatment of COVID-19
San Juan Regional Medical Center continues to offer Monoclonal Antibody infusions for non-hospitalized patients with confirmed mild to moderate coronavirus infection within 10 days of the onset of symptoms. However, the criteria that must be met to be considered for these investigational therapies has now changed, providing more patients access to the treatment that could help reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations.
- Must be within 10 days of onset of symptoms
- Does not require hospitalization or new or increased oxygen requirements
- Must be high risk for developing severe COVID-19 symptoms or the need for hospitalization.
In addition, those ages 18-54 must have at least ONE of the following:
- BMI greater than or equal to 35
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppressive disease, or receiving immunosuppressive therapy
Those ages 55-64 must have any ONE of the following:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hypertension
- COPD and/or other chronic respiratory disease
- BMI greater than or equal to 35
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppressive disease, or receiving immunosuppressive therapy
Those 65 and older do not need to meet any additional risk factors
Infusions are given intravenously and take one hour to administer. Patients can be referred for Monoclonal Antibody Infusions through the Emergency Department, Urgent Care or their primary care physician. If you have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and feel you may be a candidate, contact your primary care provider immediately to see if you qualify for this treatment.
There is limited information known about the safety and effectiveness of using Bamlanivimab or Casirivimab/Imdevimab to treat people with COVID-19. However, in Bamlanivimab trials, 1.6% of patients who received the infusion therapy progressed to hospitalization, compared to 6.3% who received a placebo. Similarly, 3% of those who received Casirivimab and Imdevimab compared to 9% of those who received placebo progressed to Emergency Department visits and/or hospitalization. To learn more, ask your primary care provider and visit the National Institutes of Health website:https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/