Logan Health continues innovative COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment

 Since the beginning of the pandemic, Logan Health has provided innovative treatments to help patients manage COVID-19. Last winter, our infusion therapy team dedicated an area at Logan Health Medical Center for COVID-19 therapy administration of Regeneron, a monoclonal antibody treatment, to qualifying patients in need of this intervention.

Regeneron has been authorized for emergency use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older) who are at high risk for being hospitalized for COVID-19. Currently, Logan Health is the only facility in the region to offer this treatment.

Regeneron is a monoclonal antibody drug and is developed in a laboratory to help our bodies fight infection. These monoclonal antibodies provide passive immunity by giving the body antibodies to protect itself. Patients receive one dose, which is four subcutaneous injections of Regeneron, all given at the same time, taking just a few minutes to administer and one hour of post-administration observation.

“For patients with early, symptomatic COVID-19 and risk factors for progression to severe illness, we suggest treatment with monoclonal antibody therapy,” said Hugh Easley, director of pharmacy at Logan Health. “Data suggest that treatment with monoclonal antibodies may reduce the risk of progression to severe disease for certain people and earlier administration will likely provide the patient with the greatest benefit.”

This treatment can help limit the amount of virus in the body, which then helps symptoms to remain milder and improve sooner. Monoclonal antibody therapy should be given as early as possible after COVID diagnosis and within 10 days of symptom onset. Vaccination is still the best strategy to prevent COVID-19 infection and severe illness.

Please talk to your primary care or specialty care provider about this treatment and ask if you are a candidate. This drug is not for people who are already in the hospital because of their COVID symptoms. Due to supply and eligibility, not all who are referred are guaranteed to receive this drug.