St. Mary’s Offers Bamlanivimab Monoclonal Antibody Infusions
Bamlanivimab monoclonal antibody infusions are now available at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. This medication was authorized by the FDA under Emergency Use Authorization for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, have mild to moderate symptoms and meet other high-risk health criteria.
“The treatment is administered as soon as possible after testing positive for the virus and within 10 days of symptom onset,” says Jessica Easterwood, Pharm. D., Director of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center Pharmacy Department. “The injection of antibodies is designed to help shorten the length and severity of the virus and help keep people from becoming severely ill requiring hospitalization,” Easterwood explains.
The intravenous (IV) infusion is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately one hour to administer, followed by a short observation period. “The medication must be prescribed by your physician, and as with any medication, there are possible side effects,” says Easterwood.