A new COVID-19 pill is hitting the market. It's different from past coronavirus medications and antivirals, and it has the potential to be an absolute game-changer.
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.
Unlike Paxlovid, which is an anti-viral medication given to patients already infected with COVID-19, ensitrelvir is a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) anti-viral, which means it can actually prevent infection if you take it after being exposed to COVID.
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.
Related: How Long Does Natural Immunity Actually Last After a Spring COVID Infection?
“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."
That's pretty awesome news, right? However, like any medication, there is a lot to unpack here. Here's everything you need to know about the new COVID medication XOCOVA, including the one thing an infectious disease expert says is key to taking it.
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
You don't want to just get a prescription for XOCOVA whenever you leave the house or start it after you're already hacking up a lung and fighting off a fever.
"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.
So, for example, if you visit a friend who thinks they have allergies but tests positive for the virus the next morning, you'll want to talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for ensitrelvir while you still feel fine. If you start showing symptoms or are already testing positive for COVID, you'll want to ask your doctor about Paxlovid instead.
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According to Dr. Sax, "Adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older may benefit from taking a five-day course of XOCOVA after being exposed to COVID-19. COVID-19 can become severe, and even when mild or moderate, it can worsen or exacerbate chronic conditions or trigger new ones."
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."
This means that if you have high-risk conditions, be sure to let your physician or healthcare providers know before starting any medications, because not every drug is for everyone.
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?
Dr. Sax tells us that side effects of XOCOVA in studies were rare and included headache, diarrhea and cough—all of which are common symptoms of COVID-19 as well, and you're probably much more likely to have those symptoms if you do get infected versus if you take the medication to prevent infection.
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.
Related: Does the Current COVID Vaccine Protect Against the Latest Mutation?
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?)
Related: There’s a Medication That Could Help Prevent Long COVID—but Most Doctors Aren’t Prescribing It Yet
"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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