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Paxlovid

Sounds like 'pax-low-vid'

Key points about Paxlovid

Paxlovid is used to treat COVID-19 infection. It may help you become less sick and stay out of hospital.
To be effective, Paxlovid must be started within 5 days of your symptoms starting.
The dose of Paxlovid is different for different people, You healthcare provider will decide how much Paxlovid you will need to take. It will depend on whether you have kidney problems.
Paxlovid may affect some of your other medicines and cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider about ALL the medicines you take.

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Paxlovid is given to people who are at most risk of becoming very unwell from a COVID-19 virus infection. It may help you become less sick and stay out of hospital. To be effective, Paxlovid must be started within 5 days of your symptoms starting.

Paxlovid contains 2 medicines:

ritonavir (white tablet)
nirmatrelvir (pink tablet).

When taken together, they can reduce the amount of virus in your body.

Image: James Heilman on Wikimedia Commons

Most people who have COVID-19 will experience a mild illness and can safely manage their own symptoms and recovery at home.

Paxlovid is ONLY used to treat people who are at risk of getting very sick with COVID-19.

Paxlovid is best used in the first few days of COVID-19 infection.

You can get Paxlovid if ALL of these apply:

You test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, or you're a household contact of someone with COVID-19 and have symptoms, and
You became sick within the last 5 days, and
You are eligible for the medicine.

Read more about eligibility for COVID-19 antiviral medicines. (external link)Please note: Even if you are eligible, these medicines may not be suitable for you.

If you don't know if you're eligible to get antiviral medicines, talk to your GP, nurse, hauora provider or pharmacist about COVID-19 antiviral medicines. They will advise you.

There are 2 ways to get Paxlovid

Ask your doctor or nurse practitioner for a prescription.
Ask your pharmacist. Many pharmacies can give you antiviral medicines without a prescription, after a health check by phone. Click on this link to the Healthpoint website(external link) and put in your address to find a pharmacy offering COVID-19 antiviral medicines near you.

Your healthcare provider will decide how much Paxlovid you will need to take. It will depend on whether you have kidney problems.

Click on the link below to find out how to take Paxlovid safely and possible side effects.

If you have normal kidney function

If you have kidney problems

If you have advanced kidney disease or you're on dialysis

- English [PDF, 226 KB]

Tell your healthcare provider about ALL the medicines you take.

Paxlovid may affect some of your other medicines and cause serious side effects.

- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements (for example, St. John’s Wort).
- Do not start taking a new medicine while you are taking Paxlovid without talking to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take Paxlovid with other medicines.

My Paxlovid Plan

This plan is to help you record all your medicine doses when taking Paxlovid. It is especially useful if you need to stop or adjust your other medicines. Learn more: My Paxlovid Plan [PDF, 356 KB]

Are you pregnant or trying for a baby?

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, don't take Paxlovid. Ask your doctor for advice as Paxlovid is not recommended during pregnancy. Women should avoid becoming pregnant (eg, use contraception or abstain from sexual activity) while taking Paxlovid and for 7 days after the treatment ends.

Contraception is very important

If you are taking birth control pills, extra care is needed as Paxlovid may affect how they work. It is recommended that you don’t have sexual activity while taking Paxlovid and for 7 days after the treatment ends. Otherwise use condoms as well as your usual contraception, while taking Paxlovid and for 7 days after treatment ends. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Are you breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for 7 days after the last dose of Paxlovid. This is because it is not known if Paxlovid gets into breast milk and could be passed to the baby. Tell your healthcare provider you are breastfeeding BEFORE taking this medicine.

Like all medicines, Paxlovid can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. The side effects should pass after completing the course of treatment.

Side effects	What should I do?
Nausea (feeling sick) Vomiting (being sick) Headache Diarrhoea (runny poos)	This is quite common when you take Paxlovid. If you have nausea, try taking your dose with food. Drink plenty of water to replace the fluids lost. Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you.
Changes to your sense of taste Metallic or unpleasant taste	This is quite common.  Take frequent sips of water. Try sucking flavoured (mint, lemon) sugar-free lollies or chewing sugar-free gum.
Aching muscle, muscle tenderness or weakness Tummy (abdominal pain)	Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you.
Signs of an allergic reaction, eg, skin rash, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, chest tightness and trouble breathing.	This is rare. Contact your healthcare team or Healthline on 0800 611 116 immediately if you notice these side effects and tell them you are taking Paxlovid.
For more information on side effects, see the Medsafe consumer information leaflet below. Did you know that you can report a medicine side effect to CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring)? Report a side effect to a product.(external link)

Yes, for some people symptoms may return after finishing a course of Paxlovid. This is known as ‘Paxlovid rebound’.

This is when, people get symptoms after finishing a course of Paxlovid, or have negative test results immediately after Paxlovid treatment but later test positive.
The rebound symptoms are usually mild and get better within 3 to 5 days.

If you get Paxlovid rebound within 28 days of your symptoms or tested positive, you should stay home until you've had no symptoms for at least 24 hours.

There is no need to take another course of Paxlovid if your symptoms return within 28 days. If you develop COVID symptoms after finishing a course of Paxlovid and you're not sure what to do, call your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Read more about if you get new COVID-19 symptoms.(external link)

Antiviral medicines for COVID-19 infection
COVID-19 positive: Care in the community

My Paxlovid Plan [PDF, 356 KB] Health Navigator NZ, 2022
5 questions to ask about your medications(external link) Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English(external link), te reo Māori(external link)