User Reviews for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir)

Started pills on Day 5 of symptoms; had tested positive on day 3 of symptoms. (had sneezing and tickle cough that had progressed to beginning of chest congestion) Was worried about taking due to negative experience with Tamiflu many years before. Feel immediate relief after even first dose. Metallic taste is only negative so far. Seems manageable. Will continue to report.

Like many, I am 2x Pfizer vax in 4/21 and 1x boosted Pfizer 10/21. Positive for Covid Delta 9/21 resulted in non-hospitalized Pneumonia. Considered hi-risk, I am T1d for 43 yrs.. Tested COVID positive on Wed, symptoms were <12hrs duration with fever, dry cough, general malaise and fatigue. My physician immediately began Paxlovid Wed. evening, same day as positive test. The metallic, bile taste began within 3hrs after dose #1, and continues with each dose, same degree of intensity. HORRIBLE! but cough drops help. Now after dose #4, I feel 100% improved, using no other medications. Effect on blood glucose has been minimal, but seeing a slight spike. After developing pneumonia with my first bout, I would highly recommend Paxlovid if you have the option. Read More Read Less

Moderna X3. Asthma. Test+ for covid, symptomatic, on a Monday and start Paxlovid on Tuesday morning. Terrible sour, metallic taste started next day. Sense of taste is diminished and altered. Today is Day 5 of Covid, day 4 of treatment and symptoms are only slightly reduced at this point. I am not sure it is worth it. I can only hope it is reducing symptoms vs. untreated. This is pretty bad for vaccinated X3. I am 56, and was very fit prior to this. I hope the metallic taste is reversible. Medicine packaging is user friendly. Read More Read Less

My son who has cerebral palsy and I both had been vaccinated and had boosters and contracted Covid. We were prescribed Paxlovid . Within 2 days he was 90% better. Me in three days. We were both really sick. It was truly amazing. Bad taste but what a small price to pay! What a wonderful thing to have happened for our world!!

After two days on Paxlovid, I'm already feeling better with returned energy. Hoping to sleep tonight with no coughing. During the day, on the 2nd day, cough became productive. I have a horrible metallic taste, which I find from here is the meds. Hoping it's temporary, and I will report back after the 5 days. Some, but not all, have reported a partial relapse after treatment. I hope not,, and will report back on that too. It's unfortunate that more people haven't bothered to do that.

Fully vaccinated 47, with booster.

Traveled to Australia. Tested negative four times before and during the trip. Fever started 24 hours after return (Sunday). Self Rapid Antigen Test positive that day. Initial symptoms were fever and dry cough. Progresses to very sore throat and very wet, almost continuous cough and a lot of phlegm / mucus production by Monday afternoon. Met with Doctor over Zoom on first available appointment on Tuesday specifically to get Paxlovid. First dose Tuesday afternoon. Noticeable improvement in 24 hours. By 36 hour on Paxlovid, cough was way down, sore throat abated. Finally slept on Wednesday night. Slight metallic taste was only side effect, but tolerable. Highly recommend Paxlovid.Read More Read Less

I was vaccinated and 2x boosted and tested positive for Covid. Only symptoms at the time were difficulty breathing, fatigue, and dry cough. Dr prescribed Paxlovid perhaps because I was having these symptoms in spite of 3x vaccinated, plus am 61. I have had 4 days worth of meds and at least on the plus side I can take a good deep breath and cough is gone. However much as everyone else noted, mouth feels like I swallowed sheet metal. Hard to take with food as everyone recommends as nothing tastes good. Also as days progressed nausea getting much worse. Took med last night after having chicken soup and some sherbet and was the WORST - could not sleep due to upset stomach. Afraid to get up as I thought I would pass out or puke or both. Also get what feels like hot flashes and have no fever. Should also mention that I had to stop Trazodone because of med which meant withdrawal symptoms of __terrible__ headaches at night too. Sense of smell not affected but that makes nausea worse. Did not take yet this morning and told Dr I wanted to stop but after reading your comments I will try your suggestions and take it with lunch during the day and at least get one dose in. This is just my own personal story so take it for what it’s worth. If this is a glimpse of what chemo must feel like then cancer patients are saints.Read More Read Less

Both my wife and I had Covid simultaneously. We’re both over 60, have underlying numerous medical conditions and our doctor put us on PAXLOVID. I don’t think our outcome would be the great results without the medicine. You must start it STAT when you feel sick. Good Luck.

Today is my second day of medication; fifth day after testing positive for the virus. Seems to have helped immediately following the first dose. I've been taking it with light meals, so no overpowering taste at the time of dosing, but around an hour later there's a strong, bitter taste that comes about in my mouth. Much like the worst part of an orange rind. Unpleasant, but manageable and I'm able to cover it with most anything sweet or salty. Hope this helps any and all who need it. Good health to all.Read More Read Less

I had been fully vaccinated and had two boosters. Began with cough and cold symptoms late on a Monday evening. Tested negative Tuesday morning but positive on Wednesday evening. Started Paxlovid Thursday evening, which was prescribed due to a history of pneumonia. My cough and nasal symptoms almost completely resolved in a day. TERRIBLE BITTER TASTE IN MOUTH is my only side effect.

Felt better after two doses. Three big pills to swallow in each dose and terrible aftertaste. But I found if I could throw the pills into the back of my mouth, wash down with plenty of water, and then gargling with mouthwash after, it helped a lot!

4 days after using the prescribed amount, symptoms returned (not as severe) and the test that was negative, became positive again. Today is day 14 after initial dose. The test is still positive. Did feel better quickly (2 days) after starting paxlovid.

I have completed three days on paxlovid and got it the day after my positive covid test. I had been suffering from terrible sinus congestion, body aches, exhaution and hot spells. I was taking sudafed during the day and cold medicine at night. I was not sleeping and there was a mountain of kleenex next to me at all time. Today I woke up with no sinus problem at all and could stop taking cold medicine all together. Paxlovid worked quickly. I have the awful mettalic taste in my mouth but no oher side effects. As of today I am still testing positive for COVID but my symptoms are reduced to exhaustion and overall fogginess. I am glad I could get Paxlovid in NYC. Read More Read Less

Paxlovid is a very impressive defense against Covid's progression. With all "experimental" drugs comes the concerns of after effects. I am in my sixties and started on my 4th day. It does work VERY quickly. As with everyone else, the God aweful taste in your mouth is, well, God aweful. I have discovered 3 ways to curtail this problem. ALTOIDS. Constant (and I mean constant) lollypops/lifesavers/hard candy. AND, believe it or not CUCUMBER GATORADE! I've loved it since it's inception so it was a fluke find on my part. It really cuts the taste way down to tolerable. Good luck to everyone.Read More Read Less

I started taking it on the second day of symptoms, and by the following day I was more or less fine. It's hard to say whether it was the pills that did it since I'm young and had three doses of the vaccine (I only took the antivirals because I have a reactive airway and a history of lung problems). The only side effect, which others noted, is a strong chemical taste in my mouth. It's impossible to avoid, even if the pills never touch your tongue, you'll have this tase in your mouth for a few hours after taking the pills. Read More Read Less

Took on day two of symptoms, just finished today , this stuff kicks covids to the kerb , brilliant stuff. Only down point is the metallic taste it leaves , but that's a small price to pay .

Having tested positive for covid my local hospital doctor recommended antiviral 5 day course of paxlovid. I have a health conditions so this is why this was recommended. I started to feel better on day 2 of taking the tablets., by day 5 I was completely well again & covid negative . Yes it does leave a bitter after taste but I rather that then end up in hospital or worse still .. it's a small price to pay in my own personal experience I would highly recommend. I took them after eating to avoid stomach issues and I was fine . Read More Read Less

Worked well , just a bad taste in your mouth

Took on 4th day of my symptoms and gave me a terrible taste in my mouth and caused GI issues while taking it once done all of it went away but unfortunately after finishing paxlovid I am still sick 12 days out now but it did make my symptoms much better then they were