COVID-19: Treatment recommendations for hospitalised adult patients Clinical Guideline
Version 5.1 approved 29 April 2024
Since the emergence of COVID-19 there have been significant developments in the antiviral and immunomodulatory medications recommended for patients hospitalised with COVID-19.
The COVID-19: Treatment Recommendations for Hospitalised Adult Patients Clinical Guideline (PDF 916KB) only addresses the use of disease-modifying treatments for COVID-19 in hospitalised adult patients.
This guideline does not:
- provide guidance of the overall care for patients with COVID-19
- provide advice regarding supportive therapies recommended for COVID-19
- provide information regarding the prevention or chemoprophylaxis for the prevention of COVID-19.
For information related to the management and care of patients with COVID-19 please refer to:
- COVID–19 (SARS–COV–2) – Management Guide (CALHN–PRC05409) — on eCentral
- CALHN COVID–19 internet page
Medication recommendations for COVID-19 can change rapidly due to medication shortages, ongoing research and as novel agents are discovered. For the most up to date Australian guidelines and recommendations refer to:
- National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce (The Australian Living Guidelines)
- Clinical Excellence Commission: Medication Safety Updates
Topics covered in this guideline
- Definition of COVID-19 disease severity for adults
- Risk factors for progressing to severe or critical illness
- Classification of immunosuppressed patients including medications associated with a reduced immune response to COVID-19 vaccination
- COVID-19 treatment recommendations for hospitalised adults according to disease severity (excluding pregnancy/breastfeeding) – mild illness
- COVID-19 treatment recommendations for hospitalised adults according to disease severity (excluding pregnancy/breastfeeding) – moderate to critical illness
- Assessing a patient for nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid®)
- COVID-19 treatment recommendations for hospitalised pregnant and breastfeeding adults
- Approach to treatment of immunocompromised patients with persistent or relapsed COVID-19 infection
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Access and restrictions to therapy
- Treatments for COVID-19 - Drug Monographs