What is Bebtelovimab: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Bebtelovimab is a monoclonal antibody treatment specifically designed to help your body fight COVID-19. Think of it as a targeted medicine that gives your immune system extra help when it's struggling against the virus.

This medication was developed to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and children who are at high risk for severe illness. It works by blocking the virus from entering your cells, helping to reduce the severity of your symptoms and potentially preventing hospitalization.

What is Bebtelovimab?

Bebtelovimab is a laboratory-made antibody that mimics your body's natural immune response to COVID-19. It's part of a class of medicines called monoclonal antibodies, which are designed to target specific parts of the virus.

The medication was created by scientists who studied how our immune systems naturally fight COVID-19. They identified the most effective antibodies and recreated them in a laboratory setting. This allows doctors to give you a concentrated dose of these protective proteins when your body needs extra support.

Unlike some other COVID-19 treatments, bebtelovimab is given as a single injection into your vein. This targeted approach means the medicine can start working quickly in your bloodstream to help fight the infection.

What is Bebtelovimab Used For?

Bebtelovimab is used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are at high risk of developing severe illness. Your doctor might recommend this treatment if you've recently tested positive for COVID-19 and have certain risk factors.

The medication is particularly helpful for people who have underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to severe COVID-19. These conditions include diabetes, heart disease, lung problems, kidney disease, or a weakened immune system from other medications or treatments.

It's also used for people over 65 years old, as age itself increases the risk of severe COVID-19 complications. The treatment works best when given early in the course of your illness, typically within the first few days of symptom onset.

Your healthcare provider will consider your individual risk factors and current health status to determine if bebtelovimab is right for you. The goal is to prevent your COVID-19 symptoms from becoming severe enough to require hospitalization.

How Does Bebtelovimab Work?

Bebtelovimab works by attaching to specific proteins on the surface of the COVID-19 virus, preventing it from entering your healthy cells. This is considered a moderately strong treatment that can significantly impact the virus's ability to spread throughout your body.

When the virus tries to infect your cells, it uses spike proteins to attach and enter. Bebtelovimab acts like a shield, covering these spike proteins so the virus can't complete its invasion. This gives your natural immune system time to mount a stronger response.

The medication doesn't cure COVID-19 instantly, but it can help reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms. Most people start feeling better within a few days to a week after receiving the treatment, though individual responses can vary.

Because bebtelovimab targets the virus directly, it can be particularly effective even if your immune system is compromised. This makes it valuable for people whose bodies might not be able to fight the infection as effectively on their own.

How Should I Take Bebtelovimab?

Bebtelovimab is given as a single intravenous injection, which means it's delivered directly into your bloodstream through a small tube in your arm. You'll receive this treatment at a hospital, clinic, or infusion center where healthcare professionals can monitor you safely.

Before your treatment, you don't need to follow any special dietary restrictions. You can eat and drink normally, though it's wise to have a light meal beforehand to help prevent any nausea. Make sure you're well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water in the hours leading up to your appointment.

The actual infusion takes about 30 minutes, and you'll need to stay for observation for at least an hour afterward. This monitoring period is important because healthcare providers want to make sure you don't have any immediate reactions to the medication.

During the infusion, you'll likely sit in a comfortable chair while the medicine flows slowly into your vein. Most people find the process quite tolerable, similar to receiving IV fluids or other routine medical treatments.

How Long Should I Take Bebtelovimab For?

Bebtelovimab is typically given as a single dose, so you won't need to take it for an extended period. This one-time treatment is designed to provide your body with the antibodies it needs to fight COVID-19 more effectively.

The protective effects of bebtelovimab can last for several weeks in your system. However, the medication works best when given early in your illness, ideally within the first five days of symptom onset or positive test results.

You won't need to return for additional doses unless your doctor specifically recommends it based on your individual circumstances. Most people receive the full benefit from the single treatment, and their symptoms begin to improve within a few days.

After receiving bebtelovimab, you should continue following your healthcare provider's other recommendations for managing COVID-19, including rest, hydration, and monitoring your symptoms for any changes.

What Are the Side Effects of Bebtelovimab?

Most people tolerate bebtelovimab well, but like any medication, it can cause side effects in some individuals. The good news is that serious side effects are relatively uncommon, and most reactions are mild and temporary.

Here are the most common side effects you might experience, keeping in mind that many people have no side effects at all:

• Mild nausea or upset stomach
• Headache
• Fatigue or feeling tired
• Dizziness
• Mild pain or swelling at the injection site
• Muscle aches

These common side effects usually resolve on their own within a day or two and are often manageable with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.

More serious but less common side effects can include allergic reactions, which is why you'll be monitored closely during and after your infusion. Signs of an allergic reaction might include:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Severe rash or hives
• Rapid heartbeat
• Severe dizziness or fainting

If you experience any of these more serious symptoms, medical staff will be immediately available to help you. This is exactly why the observation period after your infusion is so important.

Very rarely, some people might experience infusion-related reactions during the treatment itself. These can include chills, fever, or changes in blood pressure. Healthcare providers are trained to recognize and manage these reactions quickly if they occur.

Who Should Not Take Bebtelovimab?

Bebtelovimab isn't suitable for everyone, and your healthcare provider will carefully review your medical history before recommending this treatment. Most importantly, you shouldn't receive bebtelovimab if you've had a severe allergic reaction to this medication or its ingredients in the past.

People who are currently hospitalized for COVID-19 or require oxygen therapy typically won't receive bebtelovimab, as it's designed for earlier-stage illness. If your symptoms have already progressed to severe disease, other treatments might be more appropriate.

Certain individuals need extra consideration before receiving this treatment, though they may still be candidates with careful monitoring:

• People with severe kidney disease
• Those with severe liver problems
• Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to medications
• People taking blood thinners or with bleeding disorders
• Those with certain autoimmune conditions

Your healthcare provider will weigh the potential benefits against any risks based on your specific health situation.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women can typically receive bebtelovimab if the benefits outweigh the risks, but this decision should always be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. The medication hasn't been extensively studied in pregnancy, so your doctor will consider your individual circumstances carefully.

Children under 12 years old or those weighing less than 40 kilograms generally don't receive bebtelovimab, as it hasn't been adequately studied in this population.

Bebtelovimab Brand Names

Bebtelovimab is available under the brand name Bebtelovimab-mthb, which is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. This is currently the primary brand name you'll encounter when discussing this medication with your healthcare provider.

Unlike some medications that have multiple brand names, bebtelovimab is relatively new and is primarily known by its generic name. When scheduling your treatment or discussing it with medical staff, you can simply refer to it as "bebtelovimab" and they'll know exactly what you mean.

Some medical facilities might refer to it as part of their "monoclonal antibody treatments" or "COVID-19 therapeutics," but the specific medication name remains consistent across different healthcare settings.

Bebtelovimab Alternatives

Several other treatments are available for COVID-19, depending on your specific situation and risk factors. Your healthcare provider will help determine which option might work best for you based on your individual circumstances.

Other monoclonal antibody treatments that have been used for COVID-19 include sotrovimab and tixagevimab-cilgavimab, though availability and effectiveness can vary depending on the circulating virus variants. Each of these works similarly to bebtelovimab but may have different efficacy profiles.

Oral antiviral medications like Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) and molnupiravir offer another treatment approach. These pills can be taken at home and work by interfering with the virus's ability to reproduce in your body.

For people who can't take or don't respond well to these specific treatments, supportive care remains important. This includes rest, hydration, fever management, and close monitoring of symptoms with your healthcare provider.

The best treatment choice depends on factors like your age, underlying health conditions, other medications you're taking, and how early in your illness you seek care. Your healthcare provider will consider all these factors when recommending the most appropriate option for you.

Is Bebtelovimab Better Than Paxlovid?

Both bebtelovimab and Paxlovid are effective treatments for COVID-19, but they work in different ways and might be better suited for different people. The choice between them often depends on your individual health situation rather than one being universally better than the other.

Bebtelovimab offers the advantage of being a single treatment that you receive in a healthcare setting, which means you don't need to remember to take multiple doses at home. This can be particularly helpful if you're feeling quite unwell or have trouble keeping track of medications.

Paxlovid, on the other hand, is taken as pills at home over five days, which some people prefer because they don't need to travel to a healthcare facility. However, Paxlovid can interact with many other medications, which might make it unsuitable for some people.

Your healthcare provider will consider factors like your other medications, kidney function, and personal preferences when helping you choose between these options. Both treatments work best when started early in your illness, so the timing of your diagnosis might also influence the decision.

Some people might be better candidates for bebtelovimab if they have medication interactions that prevent them from taking Paxlovid safely. Others might prefer the convenience of taking pills at home if they're suitable candidates for oral treatment.