Key takeaways:
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is an oral COVID-19 treatment that certain people can take if they have mild to moderate symptoms and are at high risk for severe illness. A positive COVID test isn’t required to qualify for Paxlovid.
You may be able to get Paxlovid at your local pharmacy without needing to see a prescriber. You’ll need to give recent health records, certain blood tests, and a medication list to your pharmacist to receive the medication this way.
Paxlovid interacts with many medications. Be sure to discuss these possible interactions with your pharmacist before starting this COVID treatment.
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Since early 2020, COVID-19 has caused millions of cases of illness and death. But out of that challenging time, many scientific advancements were also made. With vaccines and treatments available, it helps provide some peace of mind to many, especially those with weakened immune systems.
One of the most well-known treatments is Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). It’s one of two COVID pills available to take outside of a hospital setting. In order for the medication to work as well as possible, it’s crucial to start it as soon as you can. And that makes knowing where and how to get Paxlovid just as essential as knowing how to take it.
What is Paxlovid?
Paxlovid is often called a “COVID pill.” But it’s actually a combination of two different antiviral pills: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. The nirmatrelvir pill works to stop SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) from making copies of itself in the body. The ritonavir pill helps nirmatrelvir stay in the body longer, boosting its virus-fighting ability.
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Paxlovid was the first oral antiviral treatment to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA in December 2021. It became authorized for adults and children ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 lbs (40 kg). And then in May 2023, the FDA granted it full approval for use in adults.
Below, you’ll find seven tips on how to get and take Paxlovid.
1. You can get Paxlovid like how you get most other prescription medications
You can get Paxlovid with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Paxlovid is not available over the counter (OTC).
Many people contact their primary care provider (PCP) for Paxlovid. You can get a prescription during an in-person visit. But some PCPs’ offices offer telehealth services for COVID visits. This allows your PCP to virtually evaluate you and prescribe treatment if appropriate.
While seeing your PCP may be the most familiar method, it’s not the only way to get a Paxlovid prescription. You can also visit an urgent care center or a retail health clinic, such as CVS MinuteClinic. These may allow you to be seen quicker than waiting for an appointment with your PCP.
You may also be able to get Paxlovid directly from your pharmacist. The medication’s EUA allows pharmacists to prescribe the medication directly to people. This may help streamline the process even further compared to the options discussed above.
To get Paxlovid from your pharmacist, you must bring the following documents with you to the pharmacy:
Your current health records, which must be less than a year old (either electronic or printed records are fine)
Your most recent liver and kidney function tests, which must be less than a year old
A complete list of all medications that you take, including any OTC medications, vitamins, and supplements
If you don’t have all of this information available, or your records aren’t recent enough, there may be a delay in getting Paxlovid. A pharmacist can reach out to your PCP by phone to get this information, but that takes time. In this case, pharmacist-prescribed Paxlovid might not be much faster than contacting your PCP or visiting an urgent care center or retail health clinic.
What it feels like: Three people share their experiences with Paxlovid, which can be beneficial for many people at high risk from COVID-19.
The right dose: Paxlovid has a standard recommended dosage, but drug interactions and kidney function can affect how much you should take.
Possible side effects: Learn about notable Paxlovid side effects — from taste changes to diarrhea — and how to manage them.
Test your knowledge about Paxlovid
2. You can get Paxlovid at most community pharmacies
Like many other prescription medications, Paxlovid is dispensed at community pharmacies. It’s not a specialty medication or a treatment that’s administered at a hospital. It’s also not considered a controlled substance. You should be able to fill a Paxlovid prescription at your local pharmacy, as long as they have it in stock.
Examples of pharmacies where you could fill Paxlovid include:
Chain retail pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens
Grocery store pharmacies, such as Kroger and Publix
Big box retailers, such as Walmart and Costco
Independent pharmacies
If you usually use a mail-order pharmacy for your prescriptions, you may want to avoid it in this case. Getting started with Paxlovid as quickly as possible is crucial for it to be as effective as possible. It’s better to visit a local pharmacy and get your prescription filled right away.
3. Know if you qualify for Paxlovid
Paxlovid isn’t recommended for everyone. This medication should only be prescribed to adults and children — ages 12 and older and weighing at least 88 lbs (40 kg) — who meet the following criteria:
Have mild-to-moderate COVID symptoms
Have symptoms that started less than 5 days ago
Have a high risk for developing severe COVID, including hospitalization or death
A positive COVID test is not required to qualify for Paxlovid. If you meet the other criteria listed above, you can still get the medication. A healthcare professional can determine if you likely have the illness based on your symptoms. They’ll also take into account any recent exposures you may have had to others who are sick.
4. Know who can benefit most from Paxlovid
Beyond knowing if you’re eligible for Paxlovid, it’s also good to know who benefits most from it. Generally speaking, people who have a greater risk of severe COVID should take Paxlovid. But how do you know if that’s you?
People who have a greater risk of developing severe symptoms include those who:
Are age 65 or older
Have never received a COVID vaccine
Aren’t up to date on the current COVID vaccine recommendations
Are pregnant or were recently pregnant
Are considered obese
Have a weakened immune system, either due to health conditions or medications
Have chronic lung conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Have cancer
Have kidney or liver disease
Have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
Have heart conditions
Have HIV
Have a mental health condition, such as depression
Have a history of smoking (both current and past use)
Have received a solid-organ or stem cell transplant
This isn’t a complete list of all people who should take Paxlovid. The healthcare professional evaluating you for COVID treatment can let you know if it’s recommended for you.
5. Be sure to take Paxlovid as prescribed
Paxlovid comes as a prepackaged box that contains a 5-day course of medication. The recommended dose varies depending on your kidney health. This is why it’s important to provide recent kidney blood test results to your pharmacist if you’re receiving pharmacist-prescribed Paxlovid.
The standard Paxlovid dosage is 300 mg (2 tablets) of nirmatrelvir and 100 mg (1 tablet) of ritonavir by mouth every 12 hours for 5 days. The Paxlovid dosage for people with mild to moderate kidney problems is 150 mg (1 tablet) of nirmatrelvir and 100 mg (1 tablet) of ritonavir by mouth every 12 hours for 5 days. This medication isn’t recommended for people with severe kidney or liver problems.
You can take Paxlovid with or without food. But you should swallow the tablets whole. Don’t chew, cut, or crush the tablets. And it’s important to finish the entire 5-day course of Paxlovid. Stopping it too early may cause the medication to be less effective.
6. Be aware of possible Paxlovid interactions
Paxlovid has many drug interactions. The list below only includes some of the possible interactions. It’s important to discuss your current medications with your pharmacist before starting Paxlovid. That way, they can let you know if any changes need to be made or if Paxlovid isn’t safe for you to take.
Some Paxlovid interactions include:
Statin cholesterol medications, such as simvastatin (Zocor)
Alpha blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax)
Antipsychotics, such as lurasidone (Latuda)
Blood thinners, such as rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Certain antiplatelet medications, such as clopidogrel (Plavix)
Certain HIV medications
Certain anti-seizure medications, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Erectile dysfunction medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra)
Heart rhythm medications, such as amiodarone (Pacerone)
St. John’s wort, an OTC dietary supplement
7. Be prepared for possible rebound COVID symptoms
For some people, COVID symptoms may improve while taking Paxlovid, but then get worse again after finishing the medication. This has become known as “Paxlovid rebound.” Some people experiencing this have also reported getting negative COVID tests right after finishing Paxlovid and then having a positive test again a few days later.
It’s important to note that COVID rebound is not a true side effect of Paxlovid. It can happen with other COVID treatments, too. It can also happen if you receive no treatment at all. This shouldn’t be a reason to avoid Paxlovid, as taking it can lower the risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID. There are no reported deaths linked to COVID rebound after finishing Paxlovid.
Many people have wondered if taking another 5-day course of Paxlovid may be helpful for rebound symptoms. And a completed clinical trial that looked at whether a repeat course is beneficial. The results of this study haven’t been published yet.
Currently, there are no standard guidelines for which medications to use if you experience COVID rebound after Paxlovid. It’s best to discuss your options with your PCP.
Frequently asked questions
There are many people who qualify to take Paxlovid. You may be eligible for it if you:
Are age 18 or older
Are age 12 or older and also weigh at least 88 lbs
Have mild-to-moderate COVID symptoms that started less than 5 days ago
Have a high risk for developing severe illness
There are ways to obtain low-cost or free Paxlovid. A good first step to reducing your costs is to use your health insurance (if applicable). Many insurance plans cover Paxlovid.
If you have commercial insurance, you may qualify for Paxlovid’s manufacturer copay card. If eligible, this card may lower your cost to as little as $0 per prescription. If you already paid for your prescription, there’s also an option to submit a rebate form to be reimbursed for it.
If you have Medicare, Medicaid, or are uninsured, you may be able to get free Paxlovid through the U.S. Government Patient Assistance Program. You can find more information about this program by calling 1-877-219-7225 or visiting the PAXCESS Patient Portal online.
Yes, as part of the medication’s EUA (emergency use authorization), pharmacists can prescribe Paxlovid to those eligible to take it. In order to get pharmacist-prescribed Paxlovid, you’ll need to provide the following information when filling your prescription:
Your current health records, which must be less than a year old (either electronic or printed records are fine)
Your most recent liver and kidney function tests, which must be less than a year old
A complete list of all medications that you take, including any OTC medications, vitamins, and supplements
Not all pharmacies may be dispensing Paxlovid using this process. Contact your local pharmacy to see if you can get Paxlovid this way.
There are many people who qualify to take Paxlovid. You may be eligible for it if you:
Are age 18 or older
Are age 12 or older and also weigh at least 88 lbs
Have mild-to-moderate COVID symptoms that started less than 5 days ago
Have a high risk for developing severe illness
There are ways to obtain low-cost or free Paxlovid. A good first step to reducing your costs is to use your health insurance (if applicable). Many insurance plans cover Paxlovid.
If you have commercial insurance, you may qualify for Paxlovid’s manufacturer copay card. If eligible, this card may lower your cost to as little as $0 per prescription. If you already paid for your prescription, there’s also an option to submit a rebate form to be reimbursed for it.
If you have Medicare, Medicaid, or are uninsured, you may be able to get free Paxlovid through the U.S. Government Patient Assistance Program. You can find more information about this program by calling 1-877-219-7225 or visiting the PAXCESS Patient Portal online.
Yes, as part of the medication’s EUA (emergency use authorization), pharmacists can prescribe Paxlovid to those eligible to take it. In order to get pharmacist-prescribed Paxlovid, you’ll need to provide the following information when filling your prescription:
Your current health records, which must be less than a year old (either electronic or printed records are fine)
Your most recent liver and kidney function tests, which must be less than a year old
A complete list of all medications that you take, including any OTC medications, vitamins, and supplements
Not all pharmacies may be dispensing Paxlovid using this process. Contact your local pharmacy to see if you can get Paxlovid this way.
The bottom line
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is a combination of two antiviral tablets that’s FDA approved to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults. It’s also authorized for use in certain kids ages 12 and older. You may qualify for a Paxlovid prescription directly from your pharmacist without having to see your primary care provider. But you must have recent health records and blood tests available for the pharmacist to review in order to receive Paxlovid this way. This COVID treatment has a number of drug interactions. So be sure to share a full medication list with your pharmacist before starting Paxlovid.
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). SARS-CoV-2 rebound with and without use of COVID-19 oral antivirals
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Types of COVID-19 treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Underlying conditions and the higher risk for severe COVID-19.
Clinicaltrials.gov. (2024). A study to learn about a repeat 5-day treatment with the study medicines (called nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) in people 12 years old or older with return of COVID-19 symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 positivity after finishing treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. National Library of Medicine.
Pfizer. (2025). Fact sheet for healthcare providers: Emergency use authorization for paxlovid.
Pfizer. (2025). Fact sheet for patients, parents, and caregivers:Emergency use authorization (EUA) of paxlovid for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer. (2025). Paxlovid- nirmatrelvir and ritonavir [package insert].
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA approves first oral antiviral for treatment of COVID-19 in adults.
