Live Updates: Tracking Fills for Cold, Flu, and COVID Treatments
This flu season, GoodRx Research is tracking fills of prescription medications that treat influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Paxlovid
Used for COVID-19
Used for COVID-19
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is a prescription antiviral medication. It's used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk for severe illness. The medication comes in a pre-packaged blister card with all the tablets you need. The usual dose is taken by mouth twice a day for 5 days. Common side effects include changes in taste and diarrhea. Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) can have many drug interactions, so your healthcare team will review your medications before you start treatment.
Note: Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is fully FDA approved to treat COVID-19 in adults. But it's still available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for children ages 12 to 18 years old weighing at least 88 lbs.
What is Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)?
What is Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) used for?
- Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in certain people ages 12 years and older at high risk for severe illness
How Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) works
Paxlovid contains two antiviral medications that work together to treat COVID-19. Both antivirals are known as protease inhibitors.
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Nirmatrelvir blocks a protease that the virus uses to make more copies of itself. This stops the virus from spreading in your body.
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Ritonavir slows nirmatrelvir from breaking down in your body. This helps keep nirmatrelvir in your body longer so it can keep fighting the virus.
When does Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Paxlovid |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiviral |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) essentials
Side effects of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Changes in taste (5%)
- Diarrhea (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- High blood pressure
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: trouble breathing; rash; blisters; peeling skin; swelling of your face, lips, or throat
- Liver problems: stomach pain, loss of appetite, pale stools, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
When do Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Changes in taste (e.g., bitter taste)
Diarrhea
Muscle aches
Headache
High blood pressure
More on Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) side effects
The following Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in taste
- Diarrhea
- General discomfort and fatigue
- Increase in blood pressure
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
Get your GoodRx coupon
$1797.19
GoodRx discount
$1442.54
Pros and cons of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)
Pros
- Taken by mouth
- Can take at home
- Only taken for 5 days
- Option for adults and some children ages 12 years and older
Cons
- Must start within 5 days of first COVID-19 symptoms
- Can cause changes in taste
- Interacts with many medications (like blood thinners and some blood pressure medications)
- Doesn't prevent future COVID-19 infections
Pharmacist tips for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)
- Start taking Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) as soon as you can after picking it up from the pharmacy. To work well, you must start it within 5 days after your COVID-19 symptoms begin.
- Follow the directions on your Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) blister card. It contains all the tablets you need for your treatment. It also shows you which tablets to take in the morning and evening. If you're not sure which tablets to take, ask your prescriber or pharmacist.
- You can take Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) with or without food. If the medication hurts your stomach, you can try taking it with food next time to help.
- Swallow the tablets whole. Don't chew, crush, or break them to make sure the medication works as it should. If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, talk to your prescriber.
- Finish all 5 days of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir), even if you start to feel better. Stopping early can make it more likely that your COVID-19 infection can get worse.
- If you miss a dose of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) by less than 8 hours, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss a dose by more than 8 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Don't take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. Also don't start any new ones without talking to them first. Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) can interact with many medications. Examples are some blood thinners, statins, heart medications, and St. John's wort. These interactions can cause serious side effects or make Paxlovid work less well. Your care team can check for drug interactions and decide if any of your medications need to be changed or stopped during treatment.
- If you or your partner uses hormonal birth control, use another birth control method while taking Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). Use a nonhormonal method, like condoms. Keep using the extra birth control until you've had one full menstrual cycle after you finish treatment. Paxlovid can make hormonal birth control work less well.
- Some people notice a bitter or metallic taste in their mouth while taking Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). This usually goes away after treatment. But to help, try sucking on hard candy, chewing gum, or drinking citrus-flavored beverages. Talk to a healthcare professional if this side effect bothers you.
- Get medical help right away if your COVID-19 symptoms get worse while taking Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). Call 911 if you have trouble breathing, a worse cough, chest pain that doesn't go away, new confusion, or trouble staying awake.
- Sometimes, COVID-19 symptoms come back 3 to 7 days after you finish Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir), even if you felt better at first. This is called "Paxlovid rebound." Most people get better at home by resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Certain over-the-counter medications might also help with symptoms. Tell your healthcare professional if this happens.
- If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant: Tell your prescriber. Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is likely safe during pregnancy, but more research is needed. Your prescriber can help decide if it's right for you.
- If you plan to breastfeed: Tell your care team. A small amount of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) can pass into breastmilk. But it's not known how it affects breastfed babies. Your prescriber can help answer your questions about breastfeeding during treatment or other safe feeding options.
More on Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) tips
Risks and warnings for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious interactions with other medications
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) interacts with many medications. Some interactions can raise the amount of certain medications in your body. This can raise your risk of serious side effects. Other medications interactions can make Paxlovid work less well. This can make your COVID-19 infection get worse. Examples of medications that can interact with Paxlovid are simvastatin (Zocor), lurasidone (Latuda), some seizure medications, and St. John's wort.
Before starting Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir), tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications and supplements you take. This is important so your care team can check for drug interactions. They might stop or change some of your medications to keep you safe during treatment. Don't start any new medications without talking to your care team first.
Serious allergic reaction
Some people have had an allergic reaction to Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). This can include serious skin reactions or anaphylaxis. Sometimes, it can be life-threatening.
Get medical help right away if you notice a rash, blisters, peeling skin, or trouble breathing. Also get help if you have swelling of your face, lips, or tongue. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Liver problems
- Risk factors: History of liver problems, including hepatitis | Abnormal liver enzyme levels
Paxlovid contains ritonavir, which can sometimes cause liver damage. Tell your prescriber before starting this medication if you have liver problems, including hepatitis. They can make sure it's safe for you.
Watch for signs of liver problems while taking Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). These can include stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. Call your care team right away if you notice any of these symptoms.
Risk for people with untreated or undiagnosed HIV
Paxlovid contains ritonavir, a medication that's also used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). If you have undiagnosed or untreated HIV, taking Paxlovid without HIV treatment can make HIV become resistant to some HIV medications. This means those medications might work less well in the future. Tell your prescriber if you have HIV or think you might have HIV before starting Paxlovid.
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) dosage
The average cost for 1 carton of 30 tablets of 150mg/100mg of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is $1,485.23 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 38.46% off the average retail price of $2,413.56. 
Carton
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 tablets of 150mg/100mg | 1 carton | $1,485.23 | $1,485.23 |
| 20 tablets of 150mg/100mg | 1 carton | $1,442.54 | $1,442.54 |
Typical dosage for Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)
Paxlovid comes in a pre-packaged blister card with all the tablets you need for treatment.
For most people, take 1 Paxlovid dose by mouth every 12 hours for 5 days. Each dose is three tablets: two nirmatrelvir tablets (150 mg each) and one ritonavir tablet (100 mg).
If you have kidney problems, your blister card and dose might be different. Follow your prescriber's instructions.
More on Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) dosage
How much does Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Paxlovid (brand)
$1,442.54
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) will not be safe for you to take.
- Take certain other medications that can affect the levels of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) in your body
What are alternatives to Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)
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Paxlovid Mouth: How to Manage This Bad-Tasting Side Effect
Paxlovid is a COVID-19 antiviral medication. A common side effect is a bad taste in the mouth, referred to as “Paxlovid mouth.” Learn how to get rid of it here.
How to Get Paxlovid: 7 Pharmacist-Backed Tips for Taking the COVID Pill
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Taste Changes, Diarrhea, and More: 5 Paxlovid Side Effects You Should Know About
Paxlovid is used to treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 and is known for common side effects such as headaches, nausea, and diarrhea.
7 Common Paxlovid Interactions You Should Know About (Plus Other Medications to Avoid)
The COVID-19 pill Paxlovid may interact with statins, St. John’s wort, and some forms of hormonal birth control. See more common Paxlovid drug interactions here.
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) images
