Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19

Topic Contents

Overview

Monoclonal antibodies are medicines that act like natural antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes. They help defend against a threat, like bacteria and viruses.

Monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 target the virus that causes the infection. When the virus enters your body, it invades healthy cells. There, it starts to make more virus. This can make you sick. These antibodies may block the virus from getting into your cells. Then it can't make more virus.

This treatment is used for people who aren't in the hospital for COVID-19 but are at high risk for getting more serious symptoms.

It can also be used to prevent COVID-19 in some people who are at high risk for getting very sick and have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

This treatment is given through a needle in a vein (IV). Or it may be given as an injection.

Your doctor can help you learn if this treatment might be right for you.

Credits

Current as of:
October 6, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Heather Quinn MD - Family Medicine
Lesley Ryan MD - Family Medicine
Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine