Paxlovid and Vomiting: What Users Say

• scp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2022

For COVID-19 "Both my wife and I took Paxlovid. The bad taste and nausea were awful. Couldn't eat, dry heaves, and had trouble sleeping. I stopped after 2 days and my wife after one day. 3 days after stopping Paxlovid, I still have that bad taste and slight nausea, but it is getting better. I'm double vaxxed and booster'd. For me, I regret taking Paxlovid. The side effects were too severe."

• Pea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2022

For COVID-19 "I took Paxlovid for 3 days, and I suffered increasingly serious metallic taste and smell. After I stopped Paxlovid, the obnoxious smell and taste went away. The smell and taste kept me awake on the third night. I also had severe stomach cramps and intestinal problems (trouble making a bowel movement with severe pain). I had dry heaves and finally, spit up a sticky yellow substance. I also had internal bleeding, as noted by the tar-like stools. This cure was worse than the disease. I pray that my liver has not sustained long-term effects since I have acute non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis."

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2022

For COVID-19 "I started on Paxlovid on a Friday after developing some chest tightness and a drop in my O2 sats after testing positive on Thursday. While the yucky taste was unpleasant, it was tolerable. My problem was the gastric upset. I developed diffuse abdominal pain and cramping, and diarrhea. I could have dealt with that, but I then began vomiting Saturday evening, and by Sunday morning, I was unable to keep clear liquids down. I ended up in the ER with weakness and what I figured was dehydration. Labs were OK, so not severely dry, received IV fluids, and Zofran for the nausea, and discharged home. The doctor wasn’t familiar with Paxlovid, so couldn’t give me sound advice to try and continue or stop. I chose to stop it. 12 hours after the ER visit, I’ve kept some bland food down and doing better. My sore throat is gone, my cough much improved, and my sats are 96-98%. I hope and pray I continue to improve and don’t backslide as unable to tolerate this med."

• E S...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "My cough subsided in about 48 hours. I noticed a horrible taste in my mouth about 30 minutes after taking the medication. About an hour later, I would get severely dizzy and nauseous. So much so that I had to go to sleep to avoid falling, getting hurt, and vomiting. On day 3, I couldn't keep down the meds and vomited. My COVID-19 related symptoms are much improved, but the side effects of this med make me feel terrible."

• 31 ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "Vaccinated/boosted. Diagnosed with Covid after recently recovering from bronchitis. I was really scared about two upper respiratory infections in a row. PCP sent it in for me after a telehealth visit. Symptoms included a fever of 102, sore throat, terrible aches, and cough. There is a lingering bitter taste while on this medication, but gum, popsicles, and frequent sips of cold water help. All symptoms were gone within 24 hours after starting except for cough. Unfortunately, with this medication, I had to temporarily discontinue my anxiety medication because I vomited while on both. Also, mixing cough medicine with this prescription is not recommended. So anyone waiting to treat a lingering Covid cough does have to wait until the 5-day course is over, which is annoying (unless trying at your own risk). A little frustrating, unable to treat the cough yet, but otherwise 10/10, absolutely would recommend. Even if you aren't 'high risk,' don't let yourself suffer if you don't have to. Would take again!"

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2023

For COVID-19 "Took Paxlovid as prescribed. Because I understood the foul metallic taste was to be expected, I tolerated it until day three, however, I then started vomiting, and my bowel motions became a very pale cream color. I stopped, and it took some days for my body to return to normal. This was now ten months ago, and while I am still relatively well, I suffer unusual symptoms like spontaneous mild nausea that goes after a couple of hours, fleeting stabbing pains anywhere from time to time, and I know my body is not the same. I totally regret taking this medication."

• 38 ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2023

For COVID-19 "I was diagnosed with COVID on 3/13. I went in to see a doctor, and they gave me this medicine. First off, if your symptoms are not that bad, please do not take this medication. The only reason I took it was that this doctor told me I would start feeling better after 14 hours. That was so far from the truth. It made me ten times worse. From the metallic taste to the gagging, diarrhea, and upset stomach, this was the worst decision ever."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "Horrible. I quit taking it after the 1st day due to horrible vomiting an hour after taking it with each dose. It made me feel worse. I am back to alternating Tylenol and ibuprofen. Praying I get better soon."

• Sar...
• January 26, 2025

For COVID-19 "I so wanted for this med to be a positive experience. It wasn’t. My symptoms were like a bad cold with a horrible cough. As soon as I tested positive, I contacted my doctor asking for Paxlovid. I had a low fever. I lasted 3.5 days before my pharmacist told me to stop it. As an experimental treatment, they still don’t know the interactions with all drugs. No to cholesterol med, space out with blood thinner and possibly some BP pills. I had horrible stomach cramps, headache, constipation, vomiting on the third day of taking med. Basically, much worse than the Covid symptoms. Horrible taste that nothing helped. 18 hours after the last dose, I’m back to normal with mild fatigue. If it works for you, great. If it gives you worse symptoms, stop. My pharmacist reported to Pfizer."

• Cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2022

For COVID-19 "The side effects were brutal for me, a healthy 65-year-old male. I had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bad aches and pains. My first dose was yesterday early evening, and by 1 AM I was a mess. My Covid symptoms are receding, so I intend to call my doctor to advise her I intend to discontinue. This is approximately day 4 of Covid symptoms onset."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

For COVID-19 "I started the first dose on a night when I was feeling particularly bad. I was on my third night with a sore throat and a temperature of 102.3—I was having auditory hallucinations. The bad taste was almost immediate, but I tolerated it. I thought the first dose was okay and had no qualms about the second one. That’s when I started noticing discomfort. Firstly, my sore throat. I couldn’t talk or swallow—the drug made it intolerable. I was also dizzy, and I had a major headache. I detected a strange sensation on my lips and in my throat, but I went ahead with the third dose. Mistake! I had some dexamethasone, so I got it ready for an allergy. Didn’t need it. The worst part was that it sent me into a hypertensive crisis—I normally don’t have hypertension. My BP was 170/110, I was retching, and my head felt like exploding. Thankfully, I happened to have a prescription for a beta blocker on hand. Then I had explosive diarrhea. Never again."

• Zip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2022

For COVID-19 "I was double boosted and came down with COVID. After three days of miserable symptoms, i.e., headache, achy muscles, sore throat, dry cough, and mild fever, I had my doctor prescribe the Paxlovid for me. Unfortunately, the side effects from Paxlovid in my case were worse than the COVID. It started out with the awful metal taste many here are describing. Soon after, I began to feel nausea. Then the dry heaves and retching followed for the next six hours! It was awful, and I stopped after only one dose. My COVID symptoms may have improved, I can’t say for sure it was due to the Paxlovid or simply I was beginning to resolve anyway. But after the dry heaves, there was no way I could take another dose."

• Zip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2022

For COVID-19 "I was double boosted and came down with COVID. After three days of miserable symptoms, i.e., headache, achy muscles, sore throat, dry cough, and mild fever, I had my doctor prescribe the Paxlovid for me. Unfortunately, the side effects from Paxlovid in my case were worse than the COVID. It started out with the awful metal taste many here are describing. Soon after, I began to feel nausea. Then the dry heaves and retching followed for the next six hours! It was awful, and I stopped after only one dose. My COVID symptoms may have improved, I can’t say for sure it was due to the Paxlovid or simply I was beginning to resolve anyway. But after the dry heaves, there was no way I could take another dose."

• Amr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2022

For COVID-19 "Went to the emergency clinic for spasms. Doctor tested me for Covid and was positive. No fever, no cough, no runny nose. Nothing. He told me to take Paxlovid. Took one dose and was so sick with a metallic taste, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. Unable to eat or drink. I am 74 and would not take this drug ever again. It is not worth the pain caused by this drug. They should never approve it and toss all they have in the trash. No wonder it was free. Would never pay for it. People need to be warned. One dose is all I took. Thank goodness."

• avo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2022

For COVID-19 "The side effects are worse than the current strain of COVID out there. It started with a terrible taste like chewing on aspirin that got so bad it made me throw up a few hours after the second dose, which was my last dose. To those of you wondering about the taste, it goes away about 12-15 hours after your last dose. Then it tanked my blood pressure to 80/50, but because I have COVID, no doctor will see me, and the ER and urgent care will only give me a test and a pulse ox and send me home, so I didn't bother. Called the FDA to report the problem. The woman on the phone seemed legit concerned since this is such a new medicine and directed me to a website that gave me a runaround of linking the problem to any possible medicine or supplement I take, including a daily multivitamin. I will say, I take Verapamil 240 ER for high BP and an irregular heartbeat, so if anything, the danger of taking Paxlovid would be to raise my BP, not tank it at least according to their inserts."

• Ska...
• August 12, 2022

For COVID-19 "I took four doses of Paxlovid. Felt much worse - nausea, vomiting, weakness. After two days, the effects of Paxlovid passed. Have been testing negative for COVID for 48 hours. 74 years old. Given my reaction, I will never take this again. I do not think that is the experience of most people."

• Lyn...
• July 4, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am a very healthy 80-year-old. Not overweight, exercise, and triple vax'd. Took Paxlovid on day two of COVID symptoms. Taste was disgusting but accepted the need for this. Cough subsided. Day three, vomited and spat up a dark brown mucus. Stopped the medication after 3 days. Still weak and tired, but no COVID symptoms. Pale stools are persisting, so I believe I have experienced some form of liver damage from this medication. Unless you really need it, I definitely would not take the drug."

• Squ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "Tested positive for COVID on Sunday (Day 1) after starting to feel tired that day. I was able to get a prescription due to having two autoimmune diseases and started the meds that night. The next day, on Day 2, I hurt everywhere-head, neck, eyes, and joints. I was vomiting all day and couldn’t eat or drink. I did not take the meds that night. I woke up on Day 3 and felt much better-I was able to eat, pain was subsiding, and no sinus issues, so I continued with the medicine. I am on Day 4 and am only experiencing a mild cough, which I had prior to testing positive, and can tire a little easier. My husband tested positive about 5 days prior and did not have any medication and is still struggling with coughing, sneezing, and sinus pressure. I seem to be recovering faster with fewer symptoms. I do have a metallic taste after taking the medicine, but it is manageable."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2022

For COVID-19 "Do not take! After one dose, I blacked out twice, each time for >30 min on the bathroom floor. Woke in projectile vomit and explosive diarrhea. BP skyrocketed. No memory of what I took (Paxlovid), what I had (COVID), where I was (home), who I was. After 20 min, figured it out enough to call 911. Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis are now listed as problems. Never again will I take an EUA drug. Lucky to be alive - I live alone."

• 121...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2022

For COVID-19 "I started Paxlovid on day 5 of symptoms due to asthma. Within an hour of taking my first dose, I had the horrible bitter/metallic taste in my mouth. The first day went on without a hitch, and I woke up the second day with virtually no Covid symptoms. By the end of the second day of taking Paxlovid, however, I became extremely nauseous and started vomiting and had diarrhea. All I could do is lay still in bed because every movement made me want to retch. Ultimately, my doctor and I decided I should discontinue the Paxlovid after day two. I could have dealt with the horrible taste, but not the vomiting and upset GI."

• Den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2023

For COVID-19 "This is my 3rd attempt at posting about my experience with Paxlovid, and not one of my reviews has been posted. Why screen negative outcomes? Within hours of the first COVID symptoms and testing positive, I was prescribed Paxlovid. My only symptoms were severe sore throat. Within 90 minutes of the first dose, I had diarrhea. That night, I had a fever, severe migraine, and vomited for hours. The next day, diarrhea again, which turned into burning diarrhea that felt like acid and made me bleed. Others have reported this! The second night, I felt panic. I spent hours on the phone the 3rd day with the pharmacist, nurse, and physician because what I was passing was so excruciatingly painful I truly believe I was having an adverse reaction to the drug. I had ulcers too. After 3 days, I stopped. COVID came roaring back, and I was still positive on day 10. This was my 1st time getting COVID. I am 57, fully vaxxed and boosted. I would never trust this medicine again and believe I was harmed by it."

• Sid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2022

For COVID-19 "My side effects from Paxlovid were worse than COVID. Besides the disgusting, constant metallic/bitter taste in my mouth, I had insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. What food I could keep down went right through me. I thought after the first dose (6 pills) I was feeling better, but I honestly think it was a placebo effect. I am stopping the medication and letting COVID run its course, it can’t be worse than the Paxlovid side effects."

• KCQ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2023

For COVID-19 "Just finished my last dose. So glad of that. It leaves a horrible taste in your mouth and made me feel nauseated. The second day I took it, I puked horribly. It also gave me the runs for the last three and a half days of taking the medication, and it left me with a burning bum. Small price to pay to ease the symptoms of COVID. Paxlovid may give you complications with your kidneys and/or liver, I'm hoping that's not going to be an issue for me."

• cda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "I was only able to withstand three doses of Paxlovid due to severe and debilitating nausea and multiple bouts of vomiting. This is a serious medication and should be treated as such. I will say that after only two doses, I noticed a significant improvement in COVID symptoms, however, it was completely overshadowed by aforementioned nausea and vomiting. There's little doubt this pill is very effective at treating COVID, but it needs to be more tolerable. Nausea subsided approximately 36 hours after I took my third (and final) dose. COVID symptoms came back some, but trending in the right direction. My advice would be to get the prescription if you qualify, but wait as long as you can (up to 5 days after first symptoms) before starting it to see if your symptoms improve on their own first. The infamous 'bitter taste' is real and can be quite severe. The onset was exactly 30 minutes after the first dose and dissipated 24 hours after the final dose."

• KLe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2022

For COVID-19 "First week high school started, my daughter felt a bad headache and sore throat, tested positive for COVID on 8/27. She had very mild symptoms and fully recovered on 9/1. Also on 9/1, my wife tested positive. I tested positive the next day on 9/2. Both my wife and I had mild symptoms of headache, cough, scratchy throat, and tiredness. Due to my weight and being over 50, I was qualified for Paxlovid. I started the first dose on 9/4 (2 days after testing positive). I still had mild symptoms when I started the medicine. After 48 hours, on the night of 9/6, most of my symptoms were gone and I felt almost back to normal. I continued to finish the Paxlovid. Tested negative on 9/10. My wife is healthy and didn't take Paxlovid. She also experienced mild symptoms, but 3 days after testing positive, she got bad nausea, dizziness, and vomited a few times. That made her really weak. She had to call her doctor and got a prescription for nausea and vomiting. She fully recovered and tested negative on 9/10."