Coronavirus (COVID-19): Treatments

Getting your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination is still the best way to protect yourself from the virus.

Treatments may be available if you’re at highest risk of becoming seriously ill from coronavirus. You need to be given treatment quickly after your symptoms start for it to be effective.

Who is eligible for coronavirus treatment?

You’re eligible to be assessed for treatment if all of the following apply:

  • you’re aged 12 or over
  • you have symptoms of coronavirus that started in the last 5 days that aren’t getting better
  • you’re at highest risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus
  • you’ve tested positive for coronavirus
People at highest risk

You may be at highest risk if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Down’s syndrome, or another chromosomal disorder that affects your immune system
  • certain types of cancer, or have received treatment for certain types of cancer
  • sickle cell disease
  • certain conditions affecting your blood
  • chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5
  • severe liver disease
  • had an organ transplant
  • certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)
  • HIV or AIDS and have a weakened immune system
  • a condition affecting your immune system
  • a condition affecting the brain or nerves, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or certain types of dementia
  • certain lung conditions or treatments for lung conditions

This list is a summary and does not cover everything.

You should be told if you are eligible for coronavirus treatment. If you think you are eligible but have not been told, speak to your doctor or specialist who can confirm it.

Find more guidance for highest risk patients eligible for coronavirus treatment on GOV.UK

The decision to treat will normally be made by a multi-disciplinary team after carefully weighing the risks and benefits. They’ll take into consideration the recommendations from the independent advisory group, which determined the list of potentially eligible patient groups.

Treatments for coronavirus

Treatments can help some people manage their coronavirus symptoms and reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill.

Some coronavirus treatments come as capsules or tablets that you swallow. Others are given to you through a drip in your arm (infusion), usually in a hospital or local health centre.

The NHS will advise which treatment, if any, is right for you.

Accessing testing

If you’re eligible for coronavirus treatments, you should keep a pack of lateral flow device (LFD) tests at home.

If you develop symptoms, take a test to check if you have coronavirus.

Testing helpline

If you cannot order online, you can phone the testing helpline on 0800 008 6587. The helpline is free from mobiles and landlines. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. Lines are closed on Sundays and bank holidays. They have a translation service. SignVideo (a free online British Sign Language interpreter service) is also available.

Reporting your test result

Your LFD test is not complete until you report your result, either online or by phoning 0800 008 6587.

If your test result is positive, you should:

  1. Contact your NHS health board on the number on this page. They’ll check if treatment is right for you.
  2. Follow stay at home advice.

If your test result is negative, but you still have symptoms, you should take another test on each of the next 2 days. So take 3 tests in total over 3 days. If any of these tests is positive, follow the steps for a positive test result.

Accessing treatment

If you’re eligible, contact the health board where you live to access treatment.

If you test positive while you’re away from home (for example on holiday), contact your home Scottish health board where you permanently live. This is because your home health board (in Scotland) will have access to more information about you. They’ll then help you to access the closest treatment service to where you currently are.

You may reach an answering machine and be asked to leave a message.

When you phone, have a list of medicines you’re taking handy, including:

  • medicines prescribed by your GP practice or hospital
  • medicines prescribed privately outside of the NHS
  • any medicines bought from a pharmacy or shop without a prescription
  • herbal remedies and vitamin supplements
  • medicines that come in patches, inhalers, suppositories, lozenges, gels, ointments, or creams

Do not phone these numbers if you’re seeking urgent medical advice or have a general health query.

Health boardPhone number
NHS Ayrshire & Arran01563 825 610
NHS Borders01896 827 015
NHS Dumfries & Galloway01387 241 959
NHS Fife
01592 729 799
NHS Forth Valley
01786 434 110
NHS Grampian 01224 556 527
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde0800 121 7072
NHS Highland0800 085 1558
NHS Lanarkshire
01355 585 145
NHS Lothian0300 790 6769
NHS Orkney
01856 888 259
NHS Shetland
01595 743 393
NHS Tayside (open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday)01382 919 477
NHS Western Isles01851 601 151

PANORAMIC Research Study

Coronavirus oral antiviral treatments are being evaluated through a study called PANORAMIC, run by the University of Oxford.

People across Scotland took part in the first stage of the study which evaluated a medicine called molnupiravir. This stage of the study has now closed.

The second stage of the study is evaluating a medicine called Paxlovid. This stage is taking place through localised study sites. This is because the health professionals recruiting participants into the study need access to medical record data to see if the medicine is suitable for individuals before they can enter the study.

For more information about the study, and to register your interest in participating, visit the PANORAMIC trial website or contact communications@nrs.org.uk


Last updated:
22 February 2024