Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir and Bad Taste: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2023

For COVID-19 "I never review medications but felt compelled to review this one. I'm immunocompromised with a number of very complex health issues, including some cardiac issues. Fortunately, I'm not on any medication that interferes with Paxlovid. Still, I was reluctant to take it because I'm very sensitive to medication. I tend to get a lot of side effects. I avoided COVID for 3 years, so when I got it, I was pretty crushed. Prior to Paxlovid, I seemed to be declining. My temperature kept increasing, and my chest became tight and congested. The night I took Paxlovid, my temperature immediately started coming down, which also decreased the awful bone aches I was having. The following evening, even the chest congestion was clearing up. I had no side effects whatsoever, not even the bad taste that so many people complain about. I use a PPI (for my other conditions), and I sort of wonder if the bad taste people are getting is due to reflux. TUMS may help!"

• Lac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2023

For COVID-19 "I'm 64, fully vaxxed, and boosted twice. Started to feel tired on Wednesday, the Friday I woke in the night with diarrhea and cramping, which I had all day along with the fatigue. Just thought it was a tummy bug until I lost my sense of taste. So took a test, and it was positive (quite a faint line though) on Thursday evening. Got a telehealth appointment and some Paxlovid and took the first dose at 8:30 pm. Woke up during the night with a very bad taste in my mouth, which continued for the whole 5 days I was taking it. However, woke the next morning feeling much better overall apart from still being tired. Other side effects include a little nausea and loss of appetite in the first few days, and a bit of heartburn on the last day. Took my last dose this morning, and honestly, I feel back to normal apart from some residual tiredness and a bit of an achy back. Just now tested negative for COVID, so let's hope it stays that way."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started feeling bad on 8/30 and was going out of town for Labor Day, so decided to test that morning-big fat positive. Got a script for Paxlovid and took the first dose on 8/30 around 6 pm. Nasty taste in my mouth, but granted I already had a nasty taste just from the mucus. Woke up the next day and felt 80% better-no more chills and body aches. Took doses 12 hours apart, and by Thursday, 9/1, I felt 100% better and no aftertaste with the pills anymore. I took a test around 3 pm prior to me leaving for out of town, and it was negative. Continued the meds until done! Today is 9/6 and have no symptoms of any cold, flu, or COVID and still testing negative. I was approved to take the meds due to my weight, no other health issues. I would highly recommend. By the way, this was my first time ever getting COVID!"

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started feeling bad on 8/30 and was going out of town for Labor Day, so decided to test that morning-big fat positive. Got a script for Paxlovid and took the first dose on 8/30 around 6 pm. Nasty taste in my mouth, but granted I already had a nasty taste just from the mucus. Woke up the next day and felt 80% better-no more chills and body aches. Took doses 12 hours apart, and by Thursday, 9/1, I felt 100% better and no aftertaste with the pills anymore. I took a test around 3 pm prior to me leaving for out of town, and it was negative. Continued the meds until done! Today is 9/6 and have no symptoms of any cold, flu, or COVID and still testing negative. I was approved to take the meds due to my weight, no other health issues. I would highly recommend. By the way, this was my first time ever getting COVID!"

• LMR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2022

For COVID-19 "My entire house came down with COVID the 2nd week of May. Ages 3-38. I decided to take Paxlovid because I am compromised. The taste I had in my mouth after the first night dose was awful, comparable to drinking acetone. Not much helps it either. It actually even made it so I smelled exactly what I tasted. Day 2, severe diarrhea, Imodium seems to help some. I've also been really nauseous and have absolutely zero appetite. I'm halfway through this medication and I am undecided if I'll continue. My symptoms from COVID started as GI issues, severe body pains, and the worst migraine ever. By day 4 (when meds were started), I started to develop upper respiratory issues along with a wet cough. After dose 1, the respiratory stuff was gone. Now, I wait to see if I'll end up with Paxlovid rebound. It's definitely a good medication for those who would otherwise be hospitalized, but it's not for everyone."

• Ded...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2022

For COVID-19 "I think this drug worked because I didn't get really sick. The only problem was with my mouth. I got the awful taste on the first day, and it turned so bad I had to constantly have something in my mouth to ease the pain and try to get rid of the taste. The pain felt like the inside of my mouth was burned. It hurt to even brush my teeth. I stopped after 3 days after calling my doctor."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2022

For COVID-19 "I started taking Paxlovid the 5th day after having a sore throat and congestion and testing positive for COVID. Before I took it, I started to get worried because my COVID was getting worse and worse, and my chest started to hurt whenever I coughed, and my temp would go up, and I had horrible body aches. After 24 hours of taking the first 2 doses, I woke up and felt so much better. Body aches were reduced, and my chest no longer hurt like it did before. Now I’ve completed two full doses and am still feeling like my body is starting to get back to normal. This felt like a game changer for me. The only side effect for me was a horrible taste in my mouth. I could tell when it was almost time to take a dose because the awful taste would just start to fade."

• Pax...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2024

For COVID-19 "It works! I’m a 61-year-old white male with asthma-induced COPD, never smoked. A simple cold is bronchitis coming. I inhale Stelara every day to combat my COPD. I called my doctor 2 days after not feeling well and testing positive for COVID. He immediately phoned in Paxlovid for me. I just finished the course yesterday, and I feel great. It works!! Only negative is the taste, a combination of eating metal and a dog turd. Can alleviate with baking soda brush or cinnamon candies."

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

For COVID-19 "I began taking Paxlovid on day 4 of my symptoms, when my fever spiked and I started getting pains in my chest. Similar to when I'm coming down with pneumonia. All my COVID symptoms were gone within 24 to 36 hours. The bad taste was the only side effect, but it was bearable. The bad taste starts about 90 minutes after taking and subsides within 7 to 8 hours. I recommend eating before taking so you don't have that taste to deal with. I took the pills at 9 am and 9 pm, so I slept through the bad taste of the second pill. I did get COVID rebound 2 days after finishing the pills, but only two COVID symptoms returned and they were much less intense. My husband took Paxlovid a week later when he got COVID, he did not get COVID rebound."

• pst...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2022

For COVID-19 "My COVID seemed pretty mild, but I wanted to get back to work, and my doctor wanted me to take Paxlovid. From the start, my side effects were bad taste, enhanced taste, sweating, complete lack of appetite, lightheadedness, and sleeplessness. I felt like I was on some very unpleasant, sense-altering drug. When I started the fifth dose, my stomach completely rejected it, and I threw up the tablets almost immediately. Then I tested positive and felt much better. But I would never take Paxlovid again unless I really had to."

• Was...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2024

For COVID-19 "This medicine is good, the first side effect is that nasty taste in my mouth, like it’s coming up my throat every time I talk. My stomach was making lots of noise. I had a hard time breathing the first night, I was so congested in my head. My nose was so plugged I couldn’t get it cleared. I struggle really bad to breathe. A little bit of diarrhea. Overall, I started feeling better the second day."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2023

For COVID-19 "I was diagnosed two days ago. I was having harsh symptoms (to me considered harsh): worst headaches, throat, ear, coughing, congestion, body aches. I started the first dose, and my symptoms are very mild. Yes, I have the bitter taste; I will take that over the symptoms. The only mishap is it is 4:02 am, and I have so much energy. I have not slept and am not tired. I do take Irbesartan for high BP, wondering if that interaction caused the alertness?"

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started Pax the night after I tested positive, 48 hours after symptoms started. Had the bitter taste and severe diarrhea the next day and subsequent days, but the worst is the insomnia and overwhelming anxiety and agitation. Today is day 3, and I seriously want to jump out of my skin, but hubby is guilting me into continuing, so I just pray for some relief. I'm scared to take Xanax due to the interaction. Whether the medicine has made me better, or if it's just the passage of time, I cannot tell. It has definitely helped my husband, who is having no side effects."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2023

For COVID-19 "I started taking Paxlovid 2 1/2 days ago in the evening. The pills are big but easy to take. The next day I felt better. No headache, fewer body aches, and less congestion/coughing. The downside was diarrhea every day so far. The bad taste was annoying, but gum and Hall's cough drops worked well. It’s tolerable. I’m staying with it because I’m 74 and don’t want the chance of going to the hospital. I’ve had a history of asthma as a child. I’ll weather the five days if it means getting better. Hopefully, I won’t get rebound symptoms. But that won’t mean staying positive for COVID. It just means the virus is finishing its course. Antivirals worked when I had shingles. It kept me from having a big rash. I only had one lesion. It was still bad! Get vaccinated! Good luck to all! Stay well."

• Fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2022

For COVID-19 "Paxlovid did absolutely nothing to cure or even make my symptoms any better, they actually got worse for the first few days and lasted for over a week. Paxlovid gave me a horrible taste in my mouth and severe diarrhea, and it gave me the worst headache I have ever had in my life. This medicine is horrible. I wish I had never taken it and pray there are no long-term effects. I had severe stomach and kidney pains within 30 minutes of taking each dose until finally, after 4-5 doses, I discontinued taking it. I had uncontrollable sweating and an uncomfortable feeling shortly after each dose that lasted about 6 hours each time. Take it off the market because it does not work for COVID, which is really nothing more than a bad flu anyway."

• CCG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2023

For COVID-19 "Everyone is complaining about the terrible taste it leaves in your mouth, but hey, it's a small discomfort from feeling like you got run down by a train. I unfortunately contracted COVID twice, and both times I felt so much pain in my body, my throat was raw. It was so painful when I coughed. Thank God this drug was available. As soon as I finished the first pack, I was feeling much better. All I can say is, yes, the medication does affect your taste buds somewhat, but it definitely helps with the COVID symptoms."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2022

For COVID-19 "Wow, I am so grateful for this medicine! I am prone to bronchitis, so the doctor recommended this. First time with COVID. My husband tested positive Tuesday AM, so I was anticipating it as well. Tested negative four times, and then tested positive this Thursday night (today is Saturday). I called the doctor Friday AM and was able to get it within a few hours. My symptoms began Wednesday, other than fatigue, which I felt Monday and Tuesday. Started with a dry cough, which became way more persistent on Thursday and Friday, body aches, headache, fatigue, and general malaise. By Friday, I had a fever as well. I took the first dose around 4 pm on Friday and then the second at midnight. I woke up Saturday AM feeling no body aches, no fever, no headache. Unbelievable. I am so thankful! I do have a bit of that bitter taste in the back of my mouth, but I am drinking lots of tea, ginger juice, and cough drops. Tolerable to not feel severe COVID symptoms. Highly recommend Paxlovid if you are COVID positive!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2023

For COVID-19 "This drug is incredible! 23 hours after starting it, 3 hours after I tested positive, I began to feel my symptoms subside to tolerable levels. My aches began to dissipate, my cough began to subside, my throat hurt less and less, my eyes and ears felt better. Yes, the taste is not pleasant, but hard candies and lemonade at the ready about 3 hours after taking the next round of pills make it tolerable, plus an occasional mouthwash gargle. Kudos!"

• Cb1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2023

For COVID-19 "A miracle drug! Took it on day 3 of my symptoms, and within two days, I started to feel much better. I don’t want to even think how much sicker I was going to be without it. It also helped my husband tremendously and my 78-year-old father as well. The aftertaste sucks, but honestly, when you’re so miserable and so sick, the aftertaste is nothing compared to the sickness you will feel from COVID."

• Dor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2023

For COVID-19 "Has anyone else had acute vaginal pain after taking Paxlovid? I did a full dose of Paxlovid and had the awful taste in my mouth mentioned by others. However, right after I finished the dose and tested negative for COVID, I developed severe vaginal pain and a swollen vulva. What a mystery! Has anyone else experienced this side effect?"

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2022

For COVID-19 "Side effect of Paxlovid: Rash on tricep to armpit. Swelled, red, oozing, itching, and looked like it might be cellulitis. I ended up in the ER to verify it was not cellulitis. It was treated with Benadryl, prednisone, and an antibiotic. In a couple of hours, the red started to turn pink in some areas and oozing decreased. Continued with prednisone and antibiotic for 5 days, rash clearing up. Also, had a bad taste in my mouth and muscle twitching. The COVID symptoms were that of a mild flu and sore throat."

• Gla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2023

For COVID-19 "Tested positive. Only symptom was a feeling that something wasn’t right. Felt like I had a fever but didn’t. Next day started with a stuffy nose and loose cough. Tired and slept all day. Dr. prescribed Paxlovid. Within a day, symptoms improved. 2 pills in a.m. and 2 in p.m. No diarrhea but constipation and gas instead. Then the burning in the rectum began, very painful. By day 4, I had a hemorrhoid. The burning was excessive. This lasted for 10 days. Finally, the hemorrhoid burst and the pain somewhat subsided. Day 14-burning is gone, but there is lingering pressure. I also had a weird taste in my mouth, sort of sweet and sour. It was manageable but did not go away when off Paxlovid. The weird taste is still here for another week. Won’t take it again if I ever test positive again."

• Fai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2022

For COVID-19 "Took meds, they worked. Did experience bad taste. Question: did anyone break out with sores in or around the nose? Could be cold sores, but my husband usually does not get them and ended up with some, but mine were pretty bad."