COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
January 5, 2021
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is proud to offer bamlanivimab therapy, a new monoclonal antibody treatment for eligible positive COVID-19 patients.
What is Bamlanivab or monoclonal antibody treatment?
Bamlanivimab is a monoclonal antibody treatment developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to help treat non-hospitalized patients with a mild or moderate case of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful viruses. This therapy is designed to help block the COVID-19 virus and prevent the virus from further infecting healthy cells.
Bamlanivimab recently received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now being allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) and other state agencies.
Who is a candidate for monoclonal antibody treatment?
Adults and adolescents 12 years of age or older with mild to moderate symptoms who weigh 88 pounds (40 kg) or more, and who are at high risk for developing severe COVID-19 symptoms or the need for hospitalization.
Patients must meet specific clinical criteria including:
- Lab-confirmed COVID positive test
- Stable enough to not require hospitalization
- Be within 10 days of symptoms onset
As with any treatment, the patient should be a candidate for monoclonal antibody treatment based on specific clinical criteria outlined above, as well as the referring provider’s clinical recommendation.
Who is high risk?
- Are ≥ 65 years of age
- Are ≥ 55 years of age AND have
- Cardiovascular disease, OR
- Hypertension, OR
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease.
- Have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35
- Have chronic kidney disease
- Have diabetes
- Have immunosuppressive disease
- Are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
Who is not a candidate for this treatment?
This treatment WILL NOT be considered for patients currently hospitalized due to COVID-19, require oxygen therapy for COVID-19, and/or have a known hypersensitivity to bamlanivimab.
How do I qualify for this treatment?
This therapy requires an order from a physician.
Please contact your primary care physician to schedule the treatment.
What should I expect?
Your physician’s office will provide steps on how and where you will be receiving your treatment. Treatment is administered intravenously (using IV therapy).