The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xocova (ensitrelvir), marking the first oral post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19. Developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi, Xocova is designed to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 after exposure, cutting symptomatic infection risk by 67% according to a Phase III trial. The treatment involves a five-day regimen: three tablets taken on the first day, followed by one tablet each subsequent day. The trial included over 2,000 participants, with side effects reported at low rates (15.1% for the treatment group), and no hospitalizations due to COVID-19 were required. Frederick Hayden, MD, emphasized the significance of this new preventive approach, particularly for vulnerable settings like nursing homes. Nathan McCutcheon, CEO of Shionogi Inc., highlighted that Xocova is clinically proven to help prevent symptomatic COVID-19 regardless of prior immunity or vaccination status. The drug will be available for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older.