The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved XOCOVA (ensitrelvir), an oral antiviral drug, for people 12 years of age and older who come into contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Considering COVID is still super dangerous to those with compromised immune systems and pre-existing conditions (and that long COVID is a risk for anyone, even with just a mild infection), this is pretty huge.
“The FDA approval of XOCOVA provides an important new approach to preventing COVID-19, which continues to impact lives," Dr. Frederick Hayden, MD, Richardson Professor Emeritus of Clinical Virology and Professor Emeritus of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, said in a statement. "COVID-19 can become severe, and even when mild or moderate, it can worsen or exacerbate chronic conditions or trigger new ones, including long COVID. Ensitrelvir inhibits viral replication, helping protect people who have been exposed to COVID-19 from developing illness. The PEP strategy has the potential to benefit anyone who does not want to get COVID-19. It could be useful not only in household settings but also in other exposure circumstances, such as outbreaks in nursing homes, chronic or acute care facilities and following travel-related exposures."
Related: The #1 COVID Symptom People Are Ignoring Right Now, According to Doctors
XOCOVA has been actively used in Japan since late 2022 and is also used in Singapore, while it was still under regulatory review in Taiwan and Europe as of September 2025. Availability may vary based on your pharmacy's supply and demand, but it was legally cleared to hit pharmacy counters on June 1, 2026.
What Is the Most Important Thing To Know About the New COVID Pill Xocova?
Shionogi
"XOCOVA should be taken as soon as possible and within 72 hours following contact with an individual who has COVID‑19," Dr. Paul Sax, MD, clinical director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and professor at Harvard Medical School, tells Parade.
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There are important caveats, he explains: "The SCORPIO-PEP study, which the approval of XOCOVA is based on, included people with and without high-risk conditions and demonstrated a 67% reduction in the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 after exposure through day 10 in participants who were RT-PCR-negative at baseline via central laboratory testing."
Related: The #1 Unexpected Side Effect Doctors Are Now Noticing in Long COVID Patients
Does the New COVID Pill Have Any Side Effects or Drug Interactions?
That said, if you're on certain medications or even taking over-the-counter vitamins or supplements, be sure to let your healthcare provider know about every single one, because some substances can interact with ensitrelvir. Medications that break down the CYP3A enzyme can have serious and dangerous effects if taken with ensitrelvir. These may include certain statins (cholesterol medications), sedatives and immunosuppressants. Conversely, CYP3A inducers, including some antibiotics and seizure medications, as well as supplements like St. John's Wort, may make XOCOVA less effective.
In the immortal words on Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody": "No, no, no, no, no, no, no!" Your first line of defense against severe infection from COVID-19 is still the COVID-19 vaccine and annual boosters. That said, ensitrelvir is an added weapon in your immune system's arsenal against this particular viral villain. (Plus, wouldn't you just want to hedge your bets as much as possible anyway?)
"XOCOVA does not replace vaccines," Dr. Sax emphasizes. "XOCOVA offers a new approach to helping prevent COVID-19 after exposure, regardless of prior infection or vaccination status. In the SCORPIO-PEP trial, more than 99% of household contacts (HHCs) tested positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 N (nucleocapsid) or S (spike) proteins, indicating that nearly all had evidence of relatively recent SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, or both. This indicates that XOCOVA is effective even in people who have been vaccinated, or have had COVID, or both."
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Shionogi Announces FDA Approval of XOCOVA® (ensitrelvir), the First and Only Oral Option to Help Prevent COVID-19 Following Exposure. Shinogi. Dr. Frederick Hayden, MDDr. Paul Sax, MDNovel Drug Approvals for 2026. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Hence then, the article about infectious disease expert says there s one thing to know before taking newly approved covid 19 pill was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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