User Reviews for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir)

i started paxlovid after i got positive from day 1 i got metalic taste , in mouth every breath bitter tounge , every day in the morning i had my throat soar and suddenly coughing i see black cough in first 2 days after that every morning black and red cough now every movement i had started bleeding in cough and in mucus . Metallic taste is still there itchy throat i am negative now but started other issues

I contracted Covid on a Wednesday and for four whole days I had an excruciating sore throat to the point where I couldn’t eat or talk or be comfortable at night, coughing very bad & my first time ever having Covid, however after 4 days I felt I needed to go to the emergency room to check if I had strep throat, at that time the emergency room doctor suggested this medication for Covid specifically, I have been vaccinated twice no booster and I have diabetes mildly, however I was skeptical of side effects but at this point I was willing to try, because this sore throat was literally killing me, I am now three doses into it and have two to go for a total of five, and I do feel much better my throat is still sore but not nearly as it was and as for the taste I can deal with that way better than an inflamed throat. I really appreciate this medication, however I am still skeptical about whether it hasn’t been researched long enough to be sure of the side effects 100% I seem to be experiencing tingling in my skin and a little difference in my heartbeats. we have yet to see, so far it does remedy the symptoms of Covid well, hopefully with no bad side effect cost to our body later on.Read More Read Less

Mild symptoms improved after 5 doses. Horrible mouth taste starting 60-90 minutes after ingesting, and lasts 2-4 hours. Only thing that masks it reasonably well is constant use of ricola herbal cough drops... lots of them.

I won a jackpot during my trip to Vegas last week. It was the COVID jackpot as I had a persistent cough on Thursday and tested “+” on Friday morning. Got Paxlovid Rxed on Friday afternoon and started taking it on Friday evening. Finished my full dosage on Wednesday morning. The metallic taste was there throughout the dosage period and had diarrhea on day 3. More importantly, my persistent cough was almost non existent after day 2 and kept getting better. Tested “-“ the day after I finished my dosage and tested “-“ again today. Even if I experience a rebound, I would take it again if needed. Read More Read Less

Tested negative at onset of symptoms, day three tested positive and was feeling quite miserable despite being triple vaxxed. Began paxlovid and felt things turn around within hours. Yes, the taste is unpleasant, but I find it helpful to eat something before taking it. Also, I’d prefer a bad taste in my mouth to anything I was feeling two days ago. So grateful for this medication and the peace of mind it brings.

70 year old female with good health. I fell ill with body aches, chills, & headache, slight cough. I never had sore throat or fever. I did a televisual with my Dr - he suggested Paxlovid. I was skeptical but figured it wouldn't hurt. I started day after testing positive I started feeling better within 24 hours. I almost quit using because the metallic bitter taste leaves you sick to stomach, bouts of diarrhea but I kept on taking. I have one day left of medicine - I won't be a happy camper if I turn up sick again!. Majority of reviewers did not report that but a few did. The medicine works but the after effects are so undesirable!! Read More Read Less

Had severe symptoms from COVID, felt so much better after the first day of taking the medication. However, I am not happy about this nasty taste I have in my mouth that is lasting all day and night. Tastes like I rubbed a soap bar on my tongue.

First symptoms Monday, May 23rd. Tested positive May 24. High fever(103), chills, muscle cramps, shakes, cough … awful, very ill. Began Paxlovid that afternoon. Seemed to work quickly, with fever lowering first. Gradually improved, lessened, symptoms over each of the next 5 days. While it could be the result of the strain of Covid, I have had no brain fog. Others have reported that Paxlovid may prevent brain fog. As for side effects, I did experience the foul taste immediately and throughout the course of treatment. It is similar to bitter coffee grounds. It gradually decreases after taking the pills. As such, I found taking it as soon as I woke up, and the second dose around 7 pm was helpful. This is because I found the worst time to have the foul taste was while sleeping as it is accentuated a from the accumulation of saliva. Taking the dose early in the evening provides time for it to dissipate to a tolerable sleeping level. Listerine mouth wash works well. One other side effect was muscle aches in my quads and calves, which appeared mostly at night. I did not experience diarrhea. Bottom line, I would take this again in a heartbeat as, in my experience, the benefits far outweigh the side effects. Read More Read Less

Metal taste is gross. But the medication works good for covid.

I tested positive for covid and have blood cancer, so want to mitigate any symptoms despite being vaxed and double boosted. The metallic taste is awful and it is giving me gas. I feel worse today.

Active female, 69. Moderna boosted. After travel to CA and AZ came back to WI on May 23. Had scratchy throat and achy feeling so decided to go to pharmacy for a Covid test. Since it takes up to 3 days for the result, took a at home test that afternoon. It showed positive and Dr started me on Paxlovid. Same as others, have bad taste in mouth. On day three of dose and Diarrhea has started. Strangly, I am just so hungry all the time and food tastes amazing! Not a fan of meds, but will continue the 5 day regiment. Day three and I have no fever and aches are gone. Feel more peppy and more myself. I did have mild symptoms, fever never above 100.8. Read More Read Less

It leaves a terrible metallic taste in my mouth and not mouth wash or mints don’t help Stomach pain, I am on day 3 of the 5 day dose due to a positive Covid-19 test Just when the taste goes away it’s time to take the second does, I was almost tempted to stop taking it after day 2 because it makes me feel so aweful, but hopefully it helps with the symptoms , so far it has not

77 year old male, double vaccinated Feb 2021, no booster, past history of pneumonia, started Paxlovid same day I was diagnosed with Covid and symptoms lasted about 4days, Symptoms: bad cough, tons of mucus, weakness, tiredness, severe constipation requiring Doc visit, brain fog, terrible taste combined with extremely dry mouth kept waking me up at night. Impossible to say if Paxlovid helped since I have no idea what the outcome would have been without it. But it probably did help as the major symptoms lasted only 4 days,Read More Read Less

56 yo man, 2x vacc, 1x boosted. Second time with COVID (thanks, Paul McCartney!) Cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fever congestion-- worse daily for 5 days. My doc advised against taking Paxlovid but Rx'd it anyway. Since I was only getting worse, I started it on day 4 of illness. The bad taste within 24 hours (and corresponded with COVID-induced loss of smell). It is constant and pretty awful. But I began to feel better in a day or two. Hard to know whether it is the natural course or the antiviral.Read More Read Less

I was prescribed Plaxovid due to Covid. I am 49 and overweight and also have some mild fibrosis of the lung so I was prescribed this medication. I was warned that it could have a bad taste that lasts the duration of taking the medicine which is 3 pills 2x a day for 5 days. I will say that my symptoms improved right away after taking it and I am grateful for the medicine. However the taste is beyond horrific. The taste is to a point where I am finding it hard to eat, drink, or do anything. Nothing covers that horrible taste and water makes it taste worse. The taste has given me a horrible headache and is just torture. I also smell that taste coming out my pores, my sweat and my urine. I have 5 more doses left and I honest to God don’t know how I will get them down. I am not sure if you can stop taking the medicine midway or not. Sigh. Read More Read Less

Bad taste in mouth with in 2 hours of taking, was told it was possible, 2 days after my 5 day course and still have the taste in my mouth and can smell it too. Other wise it seems to have cleared symptoms

I started taking paxlovid the same morning I tested positive for COVID-19. By that afternoon my throat was feeling much better. Three doses in, I feel almost back to normal --- except for the terrible taste in my mouth that most people have mentioned. It definitely woke me up last night, but if shortens my symptoms and decreases my viral load, I will deal with it.

Have had the awful taste in my mouth. Had some diarrhea. A new one is my bottom feels like burning acid when I have a bowel movement. Not from wiping, the movement itself burns like on fire.

41 year old female with multiple autoimmune diseases and a history of PE. I presented with just a nagging cough on Tuesday night. By 3am Wednesday morning felt like I was dying. 102 fever, chills, severe body aches, congestion and the most horrible headache. Tested positive. Suffered through Wednesday and also lost taste and smell completely. Contacted my provider and he called me back Thursday, prescribed Paxlovid. Took the first dose Thursday night just before bed and woke up all night wondering what this foul taste on my tongue was! Got up this morning to read online about the taste side effect so I'm glad not just crazy imagining it ?? The taste sucks, however, I had the same thing during the entire 9 months my last pregnancy so it's not so bad to deal with for me. I find that the only thing that helps is strong citrus so I'm super into eating lemons and grapefruit. Took the second dose this morning and definitely feel a small upswing in symptoms unfortunately I'm also experiencing a little diarrhea. Small prices to pay to stay alive though. I'll update further into treatment! Fingers crossed!Read More Read Less

I took the first dose last night. I don't think I can continue. The taste is so repulsive that it makes me sick to my stomach. When I say repulsive, I mean vile (whichever is worse). I think they'd have to put me into an induced coma to continue.