The government announced in March 2022 that people with MS are eligible to receive treatment if they become infected with Covid-19. These treatments can be taken early, with the aim of preventing you from getting so ill that you need to go into hospital. They should be taken as soon as possible after a positive Covid-19 test.
The prescription waiver for these treatments ended in March 2023. Therefore, if you live in England, you now have to pay a prescription charge for this medication. Prescriptions are free in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
People with MS are included in this group because catching Covid-19 could potentially have a greater impact on your health than other people. Some treatments for MS can also make you more likely to get an infection or make it harder to recover from infection. Some people with MS who have caught Covid-19 have reported that their MS symptoms worsened while they were infected and during recovery.
The way you get treatment may depend on where in the UK you live. You may have received a letter explaining the process to be followed in your location. If you are unsure, the NHS advice is to check with your local health board or integrated care board to find out more. You can use the links below.
If you have symptoms of Covid-19, take a lateral flow test. This can be one you have bought or one you have been given free through the NHS.
If your test is positive, you should call your GP or NHS 111 as soon as possible. They may have questions for you about your MS or any other conditions that you have, and about any medicines that you currently take. They will organise a referral for treatment if necessary.
If you are offered Covid-19 treatment, it is important to start taking it as soon as you can. Your Covid-19 treatment may be delivered to your home, or a friend or relative may need to collect it for you. Some Covid-19 treatments are given as a drip or infusion into your arm. For this kind of treatment you will need to got to a local hospital or health centre.
You will be given clear instructions about what to do.
(Nirmatrelvir) plus ritonavir, (brand name Paxlovid) is an antiviral medication given as a course of tablets. It can either be collected by a friend or family member without COVID or delivered to your home. It is not suitable for patients with certain health conditions or on some other medications.
Sotrovimab (brand name Xevudy) is a neutralising monoclonal antibody (nMAB) therapy given through a drip in your arm (infusion). If you are prescribed sotrovimab you will need to travel safely to a hospital or health centre to have it.
Remdesivir (brand name Veklury) is an antiviral medicine that is taken through a drip in your arm (infusion) on three consecutive days. If you are prescribed remdesivir you will need to travel safely to a hospital or health centre to have it.
Molnupiravir (brand name Lagevrio) is an antiviral that can be taken at home as a tablet.
You can read more about these treatments on the NHS covid treatments page.
