When should you take Paxlovid?

If you have been prescribed Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir), you should take it as soon as possible. Paxlovid works best if it is taken within 5 days of the start of COVID-19 symptoms.

Who can take Paxlovid?

Paxlovid is FDA approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for severe COVID-19, which includes hospitalization or death. Additionally, children ages 12 years and older weighing at least 40 kg who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 can be prescribed Paxlovid under FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

Your healthcare provider can help you determine whether you are at high risk for severe COVID-19. Some factors that contribute to a higher risk include:

• Older age (i.e., 50 years and older)
• Asthma
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic liver disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Dementia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Schizophrenia
• Smoking
• Unvaccinated or not up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations

This is not a complete list of factors that can put you at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. For more information, talk to your healthcare provider.

Should I take Paxlovid if my symptoms are mild?

It depends. Your healthcare provider may recommend Paxlovid if your symptoms are mild and you are at risk for COVID-19 to progress to severe disease (e.g., hospitalization, intensive care, breathing support, death). If you are experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms, discuss with your healthcare provider whether Paxlovid may benefit you.

What is the usual dosage of Paxlovid?

Paxlovid comes as a dose pack that contains two medications: nirmatrelvir (an antiviral) and ritonavir (a medication used to boost nirmatrelvir levels in the blood).

The recommended dose of Paxlovid is 300 mg nirmatrelvir (two 150 mg tablets) taken at the same time as 100 mg ritonavir (one 100 mg tablet), taken by mouth twice a day for 5 days. If you have moderate kidney problems, your prescriber might recommend a lower dose. However, it is still recommended to take your dose twice a day for 5 days. Take each dose about 12 hours apart.

In some situations, your prescriber might recommend that you take a longer course of Paxlovid. This is considered an “off-label” use and has not been well-studied.

Related questions

• Paxlovid side effects: 8 key things to know
• How fast does Paxlovid work?
• Can you take Paxlovid twice if COVID rebounds?

Does Paxlovid start to work right away?

Yes, Paxlovid starts to work within a few hours after taking a dose. However, it can take time for your symptoms to get better. Research suggests it takes about 2 days for symptoms to resolve, with most people feeling better within 4 days of starting Paxlovid.

Make sure to complete the full course of Paxlovid as prescribed by your healthcare provider, even if you start feeling better. If you stop your treatment too early, your symptoms can get worse again.

What if I miss a dose of Paxlovid?

If you happen to forget a dose of Paxlovid, take it as soon as possible if it has been 8 hours or less since you were supposed to take it. If it has been more than 8 hours, just skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosing schedule. Do not take two doses of Paxlovid at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

This is not all the information you need to know about Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.