Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksWhen to Use PaxlovidSide EffectsTaking PaxlovidInteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
When to Use Paxlovid
Side Effects
Taking Paxlovid
Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a brand-name medication that combines two antiviral drugs: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Paxlovid is a swallowable tablet that stops the COVID-19virus from replicating and progressingto a more severe state.
This article will focus on taking Paxlovid to treat COVID-19, how it works, potential side effects, and more.
Getty Images / Joe Raedle.
How Does Paxlovid Work?
Paxlovid comes in a package that contains two different antiviral drugs: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir.
By actively preventing viral replication, nirmatrelvir stops the virus from copying its DNA, leading to death. Taking Paxlovid in the early stages of COVID-19 infection can help prevent the infection from becoming severe.
A study comparing Paxlovid toplacebo. Within this study, 66 out of 1,046 people taking the placebo (an ineffective substance) died from COVID-19, while only 9 out of 1,039 people taking Paxlovid died from COVID.
Paxlovid Approval
Before a drug is marketed, the FDA requires the manufacturer to submit data from several years of extensive tests and clinical studies.
However, an EUA speeding up the process during a public health emergency allows the FDA to provide urgently needed treatments more quickly.
Although EUAs do not undergo the same approval process as regular FDA reviews, drugs and vaccines must undergo safety testing before being authorized for emergency use.
On May 25, 2023, Paxlovid received full approval from the FDA to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in high-risk adults. The EUA remains in effect for pediatric individuals.
Notably, in July 2022, the FDA authorized pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid in some instances. By allowing pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid, eligible patients may gain quicker access to timely treatment, which must be started within five days after symptoms begin.
Therefore, if you want to take Paxlovid, you can contact a pharmacist or healthcare provider.
When to Use Paxlovid
Paxlovid treatment should be started as soon as possible after a positive COVID-19 test or within five days ofsymptom onset.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 includecough,fever,chills,sore throat,shortness of breath,muscle aches,tiredness, andheadache.
Paxlovid is not fully approved for pediatric individuals but remains authorized through a EUA for high-risk children who meet all of the following criteria:
Individuals with certain risk factors or chronic health conditions are considered to be at high risk for developing severe COVID-19.
Risk factors include:
Be aware that Paxlovid is not approved or authorized to prevent COVID-19 in people who may have been exposed to the virus.
How Long Is the Covid-19 Incubation Period?
Alternative Uses of Paxlovid
Paxlovid usually is not prescribed for reasons besides COVID-19.
However, one of its ingredients, ritonavir, has been widely used in combination with other drugs to treat other viral illnesses, such ashepatitis Candhuman immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
Long COVIDis a group of symptoms, such as fatigue, that persist for weeks to months following a COVID infection. It is also known as long-haul COVID or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC).
Paxlovid is not approved or authorized to treat long COVID, but there is some evidence that this medication may help improve the symptoms of long COVID.
Other evidence suggests that taking Paxlovid in the acute phase of COVID-19 is associated with a reduced risk of developing long COVID.
More clinical trials are needed to determine whether Paxlovid benefits other uses, including treating or preventing long COVID.
Side Effects & Safety
Like all medications, Paxlovid carries the potential for adverse effects.
Read on to learn about some of the most common and severe side effects associated with Paxlovid.
Common Side Effects
The most commonly reported side effects of Paxlovid aredysgeusia(a bad taste in your mouth or changes in your sense of taste) anddiarrhea.
Other side effects of Paxlovid may include:
Severe Side Effects
Rarely, severe skin reactions such asStevens-Johnson syndromeandtoxic epidermal necrolysishave been reported with Paxlovid.
Some people may be at higher risk for Paxlovid’s side effects than others. Before starting Paxlovid, tell your healthcare provider if you have liver problems orkidney impairment.
Also, tell your provider if you have or might have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection because taking Paxlovid might increase the risk of resistance to specificprotease inhibitors(HIV medications).
Paxlovid isn’t safe for everyone. The drug is not recommended if:
Paxlovid is a five-day treatment; its side effects should disappear after your last dose. The drug isn’t known to cause long-term side effects.
How to Take Paxlovid
Paxlovid treatment should begin as soon as possible after a diagnosis of COVID-19, within five days aftersymptomsstart. You can take Paxlovid with or without food.
Each dose of Paxlovid consists of three tablets:
You may be prescribed a different dosage if you have reduced kidney function.
Paxlovid Interactions
Before taking Paxlovid, tell your prescriber about your current medications, herbs, or supplements. Certain drugs interact with Paxlovid.
Drug interactions can lead to severe side effects or may cause medications to be less effective treatments than usual.
Your body processes Paxlovid using CYP3A, an enzyme that breaks down many medications.
Taking certain medications during Paxlovid treatment can result in too much or too little Paxlovid or the other medications in your body.
Certain drugs and supplements can interact with Paxlovid, making it a less effective treatment. Examples include:
Paxlovid can also make certainhormonal birth control medicationsless effective, which can increase the chance of pregnancy.
If you use a hormonal contraceptive, consider using a backup birth control method, such ascondoms, during Paxlovid treatment and throughout the next menstrual cycle.
Additionally, Paxlovid can interact with certain drugs and increase their risk or severity of side effects. Examples include:
This is not a complete list of drugs that interact with Paxlovid. Talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider for more details about drug interactions with Paxlovid.
Summary
The FDA initially authorized Paxlovid under an EUA to treat COVID-19. It is now fully approved for use in high-risk adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 to help prevent progression to severe COVID-19.
Paxlovid is an antiviral medication used to treat COVID-19 and should be started within five days of symptom onset.
Each dose of Paxlovid consists of three oral tablets: two 150 mg nirmatrelvir tablets and one 100-mg ritonavir tablet.
Before taking Paxlovid, discuss your other medications with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPaxlovid treats mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19. Severe COVID symptoms, such as shortness of breath, can result in hospitalization and other serious complications.Paxlovid has dramatically reduced the risk of COVID-related hospitalization and death.Other FDA-approvedtreatment optionsfor COVID-19 includeLagevrio (molnupiravir)and Veklury (remdesivir).Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is an oral medication used for five days. Veklury (remdesivir) is an intravenous (IV) infusion used in hospitalized people with severe COVID-19 for up to seven days.Additionally,hydroxychloroquineis not recommended for COVID-19.After granting a EUA to hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, the FDA later revoked its authorization and cautioned against its use.
Paxlovid treats mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19. Severe COVID symptoms, such as shortness of breath, can result in hospitalization and other serious complications.Paxlovid has dramatically reduced the risk of COVID-related hospitalization and death.
Paxlovid treats mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19. Severe COVID symptoms, such as shortness of breath, can result in hospitalization and other serious complications.
Paxlovid has dramatically reduced the risk of COVID-related hospitalization and death.
Other FDA-approvedtreatment optionsfor COVID-19 includeLagevrio (molnupiravir)and Veklury (remdesivir).Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is an oral medication used for five days. Veklury (remdesivir) is an intravenous (IV) infusion used in hospitalized people with severe COVID-19 for up to seven days.Additionally,hydroxychloroquineis not recommended for COVID-19.After granting a EUA to hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, the FDA later revoked its authorization and cautioned against its use.
Other FDA-approvedtreatment optionsfor COVID-19 includeLagevrio (molnupiravir)and Veklury (remdesivir).
Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is an oral medication used for five days. Veklury (remdesivir) is an intravenous (IV) infusion used in hospitalized people with severe COVID-19 for up to seven days.
Additionally,hydroxychloroquineis not recommended for COVID-19.
After granting a EUA to hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, the FDA later revoked its authorization and cautioned against its use.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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