User Reviews for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir)

Quickly reduced COVID symptoms drastically. An hour after taking the pills, a strong bitter taste develops but sipping something sweet helps and it beats not being able to breathe hands down.

One dose and I had not only a terrible metallic taste but then severe stomach pain and nausea for about 6 hours. My Covid symptoms improved the next day but I am not sure if it was the Paxlovid or just my body starting to recover. I would no way take this drug again

I’m fully boosted and vaxxed and haven’t been sick at all- I woke up two days ago with coughing and congestion which got worse overnight.. took a home test which was positive and took my first dose of paxvolid about an hour ago and they gnarly metal taste is in full force. Ugh. But not coughing as much and feeling better already. I’m 53 years old.

I'm 40, vaccinated and boosted with Biontech/Pfizer. No underlying conditions. After tested positive I developed high fever (102.3), congestion, bad muscle pain and horrible wet cough. Given that my symptoms were not improving after 3 days, I started taking Paxlovid on the evening of day 3. The fever went away on the next day and the other symptoms improved significantly with each day. Unfortunately I have very sensitive stomach and had to stop taking the medication on day 4 (after consultation with my doctor), because I developed stomach pain and heartburn. So be sure to take the meds on full stomach only, this also helps with reducing the bad bitter aftertaste, although it will not go away, and made my constantly nauseous. Overall happy with the result, although not very pleasant for someone with sensitive stomach. Read More Read Less

I'm a 51 y.o woman. Got Paxlovid one day after having symptoms & testing positive for Covid (I am 5 months out from my booster shot). I'm currently on Day 4 of Covid and Day 3 of Paxlovid and I feel GREAT! I cannot believe how much this pill has helped. Headache gone, aches gone, congestion manageable, energy back. But like everyone else said -- horrible taste in my mouth. I also have an altered sense of taste. My coffee this morning did not taste normal to me. But that's a tradeoff I'll make 10 out of 10 times.Read More Read Less

Im 58, healthy, vaccinated and boosted. Got Covid for the first time after being in the front lines for two years. (Momentary lapse of judgment not wearing a mask) Started taking Paxlovid on day 4. Other than the nasty taste in my mouth I’m feeing a little better on day 6. Although I can’t taste or smell food, the medicine “taste” in my mouth reminds me of the bitter aftertaste of eating grapefruit.

Started paxlovid on day 3 of symptoms. I have autoimmune and Asthma so I am high risk. On day 2 of symptoms I could feel the COVID entering my lungs. I felt like a large weight was sitting on my chest. After 24 hours of Paxlovid, the cheat heaviness went away. I was still left with the cough, headache, and terrible sore throat. After each day of medication, I felt a little better. I finished the Paxlovid yesterday and I feel great. The only side effects I had were the nasty taste (which is tolerable) and constipation which was resolved by a probiotic. If you are high risk, get this medication. It works. Read More Read Less

I’m a 66 yo female, very healthy w/ no comirbidities. Received my first shot 12/20, second 1/21 and booster 10/21 I tested positive w/ a home test on Monday am. Had a telehealth visit w/ my doc that day and he recommended the treatment. I was skeptical and hesitant but did start the Med on day 3/4 of symptoms. So far the medication has appeared to improve my symptoms. My temp was gone after one treatment, cough diminished, still fatigued, very dry mouth and horrible bitter taste that last about 4 hours after even when taken w/food. I feel my appetite has returned, energy level is better and feeling better. Still have 2 1/2 days of treatment to go. Read More Read Less

I started taking Paxlovid on day 4 of my symptoms. I am 68, take no other meds, no health issues, but decide to try this as 4 other members of my extended household(including an unvaccinated 4 year old) all tested positive with Ba.2. My symptoms were mild over the first couple of days(minor congestion) but I have had a history of bronchitis. Overall, I do believe the Paxlovid eased my symptoms and prohibited anything Sever. It was easy to get prescribed, and easy to take. As to side effects, I also had the very unpleasant metallic taste in my mouth, which I hope goes away after my last dosage today. I also had nose bleeds on two mornings.Read More Read Less

I started Paxlovid the first night I had symptoms. After several days of coughing and congestion I was clear and day five, last day on Paxlovid, I took a negative antigen test. Thinking I was clear I played tennis and was back to normal activity but day 12 after symptoms congestion and cough are back and positive antigen test. Really hoping I didn’t screw up by thinking I was okay and being active too soon. Don’t be fooled into being active too soon. Body still needs time to recover.

I was really going down and feeling unwell. Coughing sore throat. I have lupus and a history of having pneumonia I was hospitalised for. Second day of sickness I called my health office to talk to a nurse. I live in San Francisco and we have a really good health program here. They immediately suggested I take Paxlovid and they delivered it to my house. Within one hour. I was scared to take I that night bc I wanted to see if I felt better and also was scared to take the medication. Third day very next morning I woke up at 4am and something didn’t feel right. I felt tightness in my chest. I never opened up a package of medication so fast in my life. By that same night I was feeling so much better. Sore throat was gone and I felt like I was myself again. It worked so well for me. 5th day of treatment and my Covid test was negative. The thing that sucked was the awful taste in my mouth and upset stomach. Didn’t have any other symptoms. But day 6 now and I have phlegm and a little dry cough which I hear is normal. Read More Read Less

Double boosted, on immunosuppressants for ulcerative colitis and asthma, attended first indoor restaurant with a group in two years and came down with Covid symptoms including fever, body aches and sore throat. Started on Paxlovid within hours of testing positive and after three days on the medication I am almost back to normal. Only side effect has been the bitter taste in my mouth that lingers for a few hours after each dose. Nothing a salty snack or a piece of fruit doesn’t cure. Hoping it will go away once I’m done with the 5 day course. Feel very lucky to have gotten Paxlovid so quickly and easily.Read More Read Less

In my estimation, this drug had a clear and beneficial impact on me. I started it on day 2 when I was deteriorating and worried about oxygenation. I think it did help turn my case around and I was in rather good shape by day 5. It seems to leave a rather nasty aftertaste in your mouth. It stays with me 24/7 and I have a white chalky coating toward the back of my tongue. I can reduce it by brushing my tongue. The flavor is weird - bitter and a bit metallic.

Being a high-risk male age 62, in fairly good fitness shape, I was offered the Paxlovid and it had positive results. I started the prescription on day 5 and on day 6 my symptoms started to ease. Overall I would say I had symptoms for about 10 days, then tested negative with a COVID home test. My COVID case was mild and I stayed at home, had 2 vaccines and a booster last year. I would recommend this medicine as an option for patients.

I am a 61 year old male with a history of asthma, prediabetes, and heart disease, triple vaccinated. I began this drug on the first day I tested positive for COVID. That would be 2 days after my first symptoms started. By day 2 on the medication, my symptoms began to lessen. The heaviness in breathing and tightness in my lungs gave way to just a sore throat, and finally to little more than post nasal drip. The side effects I experienced was a nasty taste in my mouth...closest to the feeling of stomach acid/regurgitation in my mouth. This was most pronounced on the first couple of days taking the meds. It did not happen on swallowing the pills but happened about 10 to 20 minutes after taking the pills and stayed with me over the course of several hours. For this reason, I began to make sure to eat BEFORE taking the pills, as I found the nasty taste in my mouth would have subsided by then and I could enjoy my meal. The times I took the pill before dinner (because it was time to take the pill and dinner was later, I found that it ruined eating. I would take the medication all over again, as I am sure given my symptoms the first couple of days, I was headed to a real rough time with COVID-10. Plaxovid may well have prevented any further complicationsRead More Read Less

I am at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19. >60 with asthma. Otherwise I am fit and in fairly good shape. I had COVID in January 2021 and my case was mild, with the usual symptoms: fever, body aches, chills. The course of the disease was about 2.5 weeks. I am fully vaccinated and had 1 booster shot. I contracted the new case of COVID last week and began to take PAXLOVID a day after I tested positive and 2 days after symptoms. I am on day 3 of treatment and many of the symptoms have been alleviated. I am still quite fatigued, but no coughing. Just a sore throat, congestion, and an odd taste in my mouth, like sour grapefruit rind. I can live with that! Read More Read Less

I began having Covid symptoms on Monday and started testing positive on Wednesday. I’m a 24 year old type 1 diabetic and began taking Paxlovid one Wednesday night. My fever went away in 2 days and my congestion and sore throat improved noticeably within 3-4. I definitely had a dry mouth and bile-y taste that was especially bad overnight but overall I am very glad I was able to go on Paxlovid.

I am vaccinated with Biontech/Pfizer, boostered. 44 years & fit. Contracted Corona after 4 months of my booster shot. On 3rd day of my infection I had a relapse short breath & coughing. So I got Paxlovid. Couldn’t sleep the night due to bitter taste in the mouth and short breath. Very uncomfortable feeling, but the cough had eased a bit so is the short breath…hope it will reduce the expected damage on the lungs. To be updated after finishing the course of the medicine.

Helped me to recover quickly from Covid, without getting any serious symptoms. I did experience a bitter taste in mouth while taking this medication though.

I have been vaccinated, received 2 boosters and got covid. Due to medical issues, i qualified for paxlovid. Im in day 3 of covid and day 2 of taking the medication. I lost sense to smell and taste on day 2 of medication.