By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo

TheMediTary.Com

Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com

  • Home
  • News
  • Drugs
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Medical Answers
  • About Us
  • Contact
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo
Search Drugs
  • Drugs
    • Latest Drugs
    • Drugs A-Z
    • Medical Answers
  • News
    • FDA Alerts
    • Medical News
    • Health
    • Consumer Updates
    • Children's Health
  • More TheMediTary.Com
    • About Us
    • Contact
Follow US
Home > Drugs > Antiviral combinations > Paxlovid
Antiviral combinations

Paxlovid

https://themeditary.com/drug/paxlovid-592.html
Medically Reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm TheMediTary.Com | Reviewed: Jul 11, 2023  Additional Content by TheMediTary.Com

Generic name: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir

Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Dosage form: tablets, co-packaged for oral use

Availability: Prescription only

Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available

Brand names: Nirmatrelvir (monograph), Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir

Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions FAQ
  • Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir)-PFE 3CL-nirmatrelvir 150 mg-Pink-Oval Paxlovid nirmatrelvir 150 mg (PFE 3CL)
  • View all images

What is Paxlovid?

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets co-packaged with ritonavir tablets) is an FDA-approved medicine to treat adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

Paxlovid is available under an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to treat patients 12 to 18 years old for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. 

Paxlovid should be taken as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19. It is taken to decrease the number and severity of symptoms or avoid severe illness, which may lead to hospitalization or death.

Paxlovid may be prescribed for an individual patient by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants that are licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs. It may also be prescribed for an individual patient by a state-licensed pharmacist under specific conditions.

Paxlovid is not approved or authorized for use as a pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of COVID-19.

How should I take Paxlovid

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take nirmatrelvir together with ritonavir (two tablets of nirmatrelvir and one tablet of ritonavir) twice a day for 5 consecutive days.

 If you have kidney disease, talk to your healthcare provider. You may need a different dose.

Take Paxlovid as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within 5 days of when symptoms first appear.

You may take Paxlovid with or without food.

Swallow the tablets whole and do not crush, chew, or break them.

You may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

If you are taking a ritonavir- or cobicistat-containing medicine to treat hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), you should continue to take your medicine as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 5 days.

Dosing information

Usual Paxlovid Adult Dose for COVID-19 (FDA-approved)

Nirmatrelvir: 300 mg orally twice a day
Ritonavir: 100 mg orally twice a day
Duration of therapy: 5 days
Comments:

  • If you have kidney disease, your healthcare provider may prescribe a lower dose. Talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you receive the correct Dose Pack.

  • Nirmatrelvir must be coadministered with ritonavir; the dosage consists of 3 tablets (2 nirmatrelvir 150-mg tablets and 1 ritonavir 100-mg tablet), and all 3 of those tablets should be administered together. Prescriptions should specify the numeric dose of each active component within this product.

  • This product should be started as soon as possible after COVID-19 has been diagnosed and within 5 days of symptom onset.

  • If hospitalization is required due to severe/critical COVID-19 after starting treatment with this product, the patient should complete the full 5-day treatment course per health care provider's discretion.

Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death

Usual Pediatric Dose for COVID-19 (EUA)

For investigational use only
Use: Patients 12 to 18 years old weighing at least 40 kg:
Nirmatrlvir: 300 mg orally twice a day
Ritonavir: 100 mg orally twice a day
Duration of therapy: 5 days
Comments:

  • If you have kidney disease, your healthcare provider may prescribe a lower dose. Talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you receive the correct Dose Pack.
  • The US FDA issued an EUA to allow the emergency use of the unapproved product, nirmatrelvir co-packaged with ritonavir, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death; this product is not approved by the US FDA for this use.
  • Nirmatrelvir must be coadministered with ritonavir; the dosage consists of 3 tablets (2 nirmatrelvir 150-mg tablets and 1 ritonavir 100-mg tablet), and all 3 of those tablets should be administered together. Prescriptions should specify the numeric dose of each active component within this product.
  • This product should be started as soon as possible after COVID-19 has been diagnosed and within 5 days of symptom onset.
  • If hospitalization is required due to severe/critical COVID-19 after starting treatment with this product, the patient should complete the full 5-day treatment course per health care provider's discretion.
     
Detailed Paxlovid dosage information
Paxlovid Dosage information (more detail)

Before Taking

You should not use Paxlovid if you are allergic to the active ingredients nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, or any of the inactive ingredients. Click here for a full list of Paxlovid ingredients. 

Some drugs should not be used with Paxlovid, such as those listed below.

  • alfuzosin, colchicine;
  • sildenafil (Revatio) when used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH);
  • pain medicine--pethidine, piroxicam, propoxyphene;
  • heart medicine--amiodarone, dronedarone, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, ranolazine;
  • antipsychotic medicine--lurasidone, pimozide, clozapine;
  • ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine;
  • cholesterol-lowering medicine--lovastatin, simvastatin; or
  • a sedative--triazolam, oral midazolam.

Paxlovid should not be started immediately after discontinuation of any of the following drugs:

  • rifampin;
  • St. John's Wort;
  • a cancer medicine--apalutamide; or
  • seizure medicine--carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin.

Tell your doctor if:

  • you have liver problems or a liver disease such as hepatitis;
  • you have kidney problems;
  • you have an HIV-1 infection;
  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding; or
  • you have any serious or chronic disease.

Pregnancy 

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are or if you become pregnant. It is not known if Paxlovid  can harm your unborn baby. Ritonavir can make birth control pills or skin patches less effective. Ask your doctor about other birth control options such as an injection, implant, vaginal ring, condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.

Breastfeeding

Tell your healthcare provider are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Paxlovid can pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment withthis medicine. 

Paxlovid pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Paxlovid within 8 hours of the time it is usually taken, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss a dose by more than 8 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses of Paxlovid at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Paxlovid side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Paxlovid may cause serious side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • liver problems symptoms include loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Ritonavir affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you've taken nirmatrelvir and ritonavir). Tell your doctor if you have:

  • signs of a new infection--fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
  • trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
  • swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects of Paxlovid

  • changes in your sense of taste;
  • diarrhea;
  • elevated blood pressure; or
  • muscle pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See more: Paxlovid Side Effects

What other drugs will affect Paxlovid?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Many drugs can affect Paxlovid and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Paxlovid can interact with other medicines causing severe or life-threatening side effects or death. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. 

Do not take Paxlovid  if you are taking any of the following medicines: alfuzosin, amiodarone, apalutamide, carbamazepine, colchicine, dihydroergotamine, dronedarone, eletriptan, eplerenone, ergotamine, finerenone, flecainide, flibanserin, ivabradine, lomitapide, lovastatin, lumacaftor/ivacaftor, lurasidone, methylergonovine, midazolam (oral), naloxegol, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pimozide, primidone, propafenone, quinidine, ranolazine, rifampin, rifapentine, St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum), sildenafil (Revatio®, Liqrev®) for pulmonary arterial hypertension, silodosin, simvastatin, tolvaptan,  triazolam, ubrogepant, voclosporin.

These are not the only medicines that may cause serious or life-threatening side effects if taken with Paxlovid. It is very important to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you are taking because additional laboratory tests or changes in the dose of your other medicines may be necessary during treatment with this Paxlovid. Your healthcare provider may also tell you about specific symptoms to watch out for that may indicate that you need to stop or decrease the dose of some of your other medicines.

To check for interactions with Paxlovid click on the link below.

Popular FAQ

How effective is Paxlovid for COVID-19?
Paxlovid side effects: 8 key things to know
Can you take Paxlovid twice if COVID rebounds?
How fast does Paxlovid work?

More FAQ

How long does Paxlovid stay in your system after you take your last dose on day 5?
Paxlovid side-effects blood pressure?
Paxlovid - Does it create a change in taste?
Can you stop Paxlovid after 5 doses? The side effects are terrible.
View more FAQ

More about Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir)

Dosage information
Paxlovid Side Effects
During pregnancy
Paxlovid Prescribing Information
Drug images
Side effects
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Related treatment guides

COVID-19
Share this Article
Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions FAQ
Related Drugs
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec
Cerave Anti-Itch
Centrum Adult
Crovalimab
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe
Zepbound Pen
Mylanta One
Uretron Ds
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing
Lidotrode

Other drugs

Name Drug Class Updated
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec Drugs 03-Oct-2024
Cerave Anti-Itch Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Centrum Adult Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Crovalimab Drugs 02-Oct-2024
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe Drugs 01-Oct-2024
Zepbound Pen Drugs 30-Sep-2024
Mylanta One Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Uretron Ds Drugs 27-Sep-2024
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Lidotrode Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Libervant Drugs 26-Sep-2024
Moderna Covid-19 Drugs 25-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024
Beqvez Drugs 24-Sep-2024

Categories

  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health

About US

Welcome to TheMediTary.Com

Our website provides reliable and up-to-date information on various medical topics. We empower individuals to take charge of their health by simplifying complex medical jargon and providing practical tips and advice. We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our users and welcome feedback to improve our services.

Website use data of FDA and other sources

DMCA.com Protection Status Truste Protection Status Trust Mark Protection Status
HONcode logo We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Quick Link
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Sitemap
  • Care Notes
  • Health Guide
  • Professional
Drugs
  • New Drugs
  • Medical Answers
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Drug Classes
  • Drug Dosage
  • Pill Identifier
  • Consumer Infor
  • Side Effects
  • Inactive Ingredients
  • Pregnancy Warnings
  • Patient Tips
  • Treatments
News
  • Latest News
  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health
Find US
  • Medium
  • Google Site
  • Blogspot
  • API
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Scoop.it
  • Substack
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Behance

© 2025 TheMediTary.Com All rights reserved. Operated by