With the continued surge in Delta variant cases in Arkansas, the use of monoclonal antibody drugs – authorized by the FDA in November of 2020 – to treat COVID-19 is becoming more widely available across the state.
“In Arkansas, if you come down with COVID or even if you’ve just been seriously exposed to it, you can now go to pharmacies for monoclonal antibody treatment. It’s four subcutaneous shots, it takes about an hour and a half, you need an appointment, and it’s free,” Governor Asa Hutchinson tweeted on Aug. 28.
Monoclonal antibodies mimic the antibodies the immune system makes to fight off harmful viruses that are laboratory-made proteins by pharmaceutical companies, like Regeneron.
Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment is a combination of the two antibodies called Casirivimab and imdevimab, designed to target the coronavirus spike protein, according to WebMD.
Unlike the vaccine that trains the immune system to fight against the COVID-19 virus, monoclonal antibodies boost the immune system after a patient becomes exposed to COVID-19 and helps treat those infected.
The proteins block the virus from entering the body’s cell, preventing the virus from making copies of itself and continuing to spread within the body.
The treatment is available to those (12 years of age or older) with mild to moderate symptoms less than 10 days since symptom onset and for patients considered high risk for developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
High-risk factors include: age>65, obesity BMI>25, pregnancy, diabetes, any immunosuppression, and heart or lung disease, or chronic kidney disease, Sickle cell disease, Neurodevelopmental disorders (for example, cerebral palsy), having a medical-related technological dependence (for example, tracheostomy, gastrostomy or positive pressure ventilation – not related to COVID-19), and other medical conditions or factors (for example, race or ethnicity) may also place individual patients at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
The treatment reduces COVID-19 related hospitalizations by 70%, and when given to an exposed person, the antibodies reduce the risk of developing an infection with symptoms by 80%, according to WebMD.
Timing is crucial with monoclonal antibodies; the earlier received, the more effective the antibodies are at treating or preventing COVID-19.
Monoclonal antibodies were first authorized as an IV and given at infusion centers, but now the treatment is available as four subcutaneous shots expanding its availability.
Express Rx is one pharmacy with locations across Arkansas that is getting prescriptions for the monoclonal antibodies.
Locations in Arkansas receiving the monoclonal antibodies continue to expand; Conway locations currently include Baptist Health Medical Center and Conway Regional Medical Center. Little Rock locations include Express Rx Cantrell & Otter Creek, Baptist Health Medical Center, UAMS, Revive Lifestyle Medicine, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Arkansas Heart Hospital, and St. Vincent.
A prescription is needed to receive the monoclonal antibodies but the treatment, like the vaccine, is entirely free of charge.
For more information on either COVID-19 or monoclonal antibodies visit healthy.arkansas.gov and search for COVID-19 health guidances.