Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir for COVID-19 User Reviews (Page 5)

• Craig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "The side effects were brutal for me, a healthy 65 year old male. I had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bad aches and pains. My first dose was yesterday early evening and by 1AM I was a mess. My Covid symptoms are receding so I intend to call my doctor to advise her I intend to discontinue. This is approximately day 4 of Covid symptoms onset."

• Rachel
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "It’s my 3rd bout with Covid, 1st time using Paxlovid. After first dose on day 4 of sickness, had diarrhea with burning and stinging of rectum. Still feeling effects the next day after just one dose. Am ceasing use of medication and will recover without it like my first 2 bouts of Covid. Was already feeling better on day 4 but Dr gave prescription anyway, just in case. Won’t be taking another dose."

• giele
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "I tried this because I have Sjogrens which puts me at risk for severe Covid. I wish I could tolerate it. It gave me the worst sore throat ever, looked like my throat was bleeding. In addition, I had projectile diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps. Diarrhea was so bad that I could not make it to the restroom before I filled my pants. Also got on the bedsheets. Apparently having diarrhea in my sleep. Now concerned what I can take now?"

• Florida...
• July 8, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "What a miracle! Tested positive on Tuesday got Paxlovid Wednesday morning. 100 % better by Friday afternoon. Side effects are real . Awful taste in mouth and diarrhea , however, well worth it . Glad I’ve taken it. Best of all it’s free of charge"

• Happy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2024

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "Soon after I started to use it, I had the dreadful taste permanently with me. Horrible at night. I read zinc helps. As I had some echinacea/zinc/garlic tablets at home for immune-boosting, I took one alongside each Paxlovid dose. The taste almost disappeared, and I was happy to complete the course. My main Covid symptoms went within 6 days, and I was just left with fatigue and brain fog."

• Ziphel
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "I was double boosted and came down with COVD. After three days of miserable symptoms ie headache, achy muscles, sore throat, dry cough and mild fever I had my doctor prescribe the Paxlovid for me. Unfortunately the side affects from Paxlovid in my case were worse than the COVID. It started out with the awful metal taste many here are describing. Soon after I began to feel nausea Then the dry heaves and wretching followed for the next six hours! It was awful and I stopped after only one dose. My COVID symptoms may have improved, I can’t say for sure it was due to the Plaxlovid or simply I was beginning to resolve anyway. But after the dry heaves there was no way I could take another dose."

• Amber
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "I found out I had covid 2 weeks ago I had taken 2 different test and they both were positive. I called my health care provider and she prescribed paxlovid and after the very first dose I was feeling 70% better I'm not kidding it was amazed I had no side effects at all. I'm very thankful they came out with it because it helped me get thru covid ALOT easier then I thought. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has covid. Thank you to the makers of Paxlovid it helped me ALOT. Good luck to anyone out there who is going through the covid sickness. Please give it a try it was so helpful. Thanks again It also was very easy to take 3pills in the morning and 3 pills in the evening."

• Color...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "I am an immune compromised female in my 40's. I am fully vaccinated and boosted, but unfortunately even as a vaccinated individual Covid19 still kicks my butt due to my immune issues. I have had Covid 2 times now and both times have had to take Paxlovid to get over the illness. For me the drug has been a game changer, and huge relief. Both times within 24 hours of starting the treatment, I have greatly improved to where I feel almost back to normal. Going from 103.5 fever, unable to walk, eat or function to being able to get out of bed and prepare a bowl of oatmeal feels like a victory! I have found the aftertaste everyone complains about is real, but I have the perfect trick (works for me at least). I suck on Apple Gin Gins - they help mask the bad after flavor and make it bearable, they help alleviate any nausea - I am not a ginger fan but hey it works for me. Small price to pay for 5 days, for me this medicine works well."

• Perih...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "Tested positive 3 days ago, started Paxlovid that night, so have taken 5 rounds. As others have mentioned, terrible taste ever since. Hard to take the pills for a couple of days since they smell so awful but better now. After the 3rd round, I felt a lot better all of a sudden and even better after round 5. Cough still sounds like a barking seal but it's less frequent. Fever kept going from 99.8° to 101.6° and back until after round 5, when it dropped to 98.4° - hope this is it for the fever. I was very hesitant to take Paxlovid, so I hope there aren't long-term problems."

• After...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 13, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "Took Paxlovid on day 1 of symptoms and the first day testing positive for Covid. It knocked out the Covid quickly and I was testing negative on day 3 of Paxlovid. After day 3 and 6 doses I stopped taking Paxlovid because I couldn’t handle the side effects anymore. It is a very strong medication. Stomach ache, extreme horrible taste in mouth and acid reflux, diarrhea and insomnia. Consulted with my doctor. 4 days later Paxlovid rebound, tested positive again and very sick. Consulted Dr again and she believed my rebound would have occurred regardless of stopping after 6 doses due to the number of rebounds from other patients. Meanwhile I exposed my family before testing positive again. Now I’m on day 4 of rebound and feeling a little better. Paxlovid needs improvement, interacts with everything, many side effects, and possible rebound causing a longer time frame for the illness. I would not take it again."

• Julie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "When I was prescribed I was hesitant to take it because of the reviews. But the way I was feeling I had nothing to lose I am fully vaccinated 46 yr old healthy female. A bit overweight. I had every symptoms to Covid except fever. It was awful . The night I took paxlovid the next morning it was like magic. I had no symptoms except a tiny bitter taste in my mouth does not last long on and off, but it does depends on the individual. Honestly I think one side effect they have not studied or aware of is the toll it takes on u mentally that medicine really does mess with ur brain - very scary. I became negative in 8 days, so it does work. It has been 6 negative days and I have not tested positive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "2nd day evening sleep was disturbed Bad abdominal pain day 3, made sure I drank lots of water and water when I periodically woke up. The drugs create dry mouth and must create the same internally in the stomach . Lots of fluids needed when you take them. It brought down all the covid symptoms - day 4 feeling great."

• Buzz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2023

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "I tested positive for COVID last January and took Plaxovid. It totally screwed up my GI tract and even up 4 months later I still can not eat much of anything. My doctor should have checked the EUA and my chart and known that I should not have been given the full dosage but because they are idiots, they didn't. Do not take this Rx, it may have made some better but not me."

• SM1948
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2023

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "My husband and I both tested positive for COVID. He took the renal dose and I took the regular dose of Paxlovid. He had minimal symptoms and I felt very sick before taking the med. After about 3 doses we felt great. After the last dose, we tested negative for COVID. The only side effect we experienced was the metallic taste which wasn't nearly as bad as we expected. About 3 days after my last dose, I began having COVID symptoms again so we retested. We both again tested positive (my husband had no symptoms) and are back to square one with 5 more days of quarantine, etc. My rebound symptoms were no less severe than I had initially. Had I known then, what I know now, I would not have taken Paxlovid and would not have had to endure COVID recovery twice, plus we wouldn't have had to miss spending Easter with our grandchildren. From my experience, I would not recommend Paxlovid and I will never take it again unless there is an adjustment in either the dosage or the length of treatment time."

• Amr
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "Went to emergency clinic for spasms. Doctor tested me for Covid and was positive. No fever, no cough, no runny nose. Nothing. He told me to take Paxlovid. Took one dose and was so sick with metallic taste, abdominal pain, nauseous, vomiting. Unable to eat or drink. I am 74 and would not take this drug ever again. It is not worth the pain caused by this drug. They should never approve it and toss all they have in trash. No wonder it was free. Would never pay for it. People need to be warned. One dose is all I took. Thank goodness."

• Violet
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "Started paxlovid 2 days after start of symptoms of fever, chills,sore throat, aches and tested positive for covid. After taking full 5 days I did not feel much better. Within 3 more days I was so weak I could not get out of bed. 79 years female"

• DPCK
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "Well I finally came down with covid after avoiding it for 2.5 years. Double boosted. I have asthma that the cold virus secretions put me in the hospital for an attack. So I was able to get Paxlovid as I knew about it needing to be taken within 5 days of symptoms. On a Friday night, I had sneezing and negative home covid test. By Sunday morning, the congestion had increased substantially, my head was very hot, and a headache with a positive covid test. Within 1 hour of taking my first dose, the fever and headache were gone. I could feel pressure in my sinuses but not much drainage was happening. I coughed that first night. Not much drainage but coughing was a problem. By the second day, within an hour to my next dose, my congestion would start and the coughing. Within 30 minutes of the dose, that all stopped. I took all 5 days. Only thing was the metallic taste but that sure beats putting me in the hospital with an asthma attack. A game changer. I am so grateful."

• avoid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "The side effects are worse than the current strain of Covid out there. It started with a terrible taste like chewing on aspirin that got so bad it made me throw up a few hours after the second dose, which was my last dose. To those of you wondering about the taste, it goes away about 12-15 hours after your last dose. Then it tanked my blood pressure 80/50, but because I have Covid, no doctor will see me and the ER and urgent care will only give me a test and a pulse ox and send me home so I didn't bother. Called the FDA to report the problem. The woman on the phone seemed legit concerned since this is such a new medicine and directed me to a website that gave me a runaround of linking the problem to any possible medicine or supplement I take, including a daily multi vitamin. I will say, I take Veramapil 240 ER for HIGH BP and an irregular heartbeat, so if anything, the danger of taking Paxlovid would be to raise my BP, not tank it at least according to their inserts."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "At first, I was so pleased. By day 5 all my symptoms were gone and I felt good and my energy was back. However 5 days later I woke up with a scratchy throat, runny nose and a slight cough. I tested positive again …my coughing at night is waking me quite a bit. 3 days…I’m still coughing and running a low grade fever. I wonder why did I even bother with this drug because I feel I’m right back where I started."

• jturkey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2023

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "38, not vaxxed, 3rd time with covid. Symptoms started of what appeared to be a sinus infection Saturday. By Sunday I had a sore throat on top of sinus issues. Tuesday I tested positive and was prescribed Paxlovid. I started it right away and began noticing side effects. The nasty taste in my mouth and diarrhea. After the second dose, after finally falling asleep, I woke up drenched in sweat, with a terrible headache, and my heart racing. My sore throat was relieved for the most part but all of the other sinus related congestion symptoms were still there. I've now had 3 doses. I've still got a mild cough, nasal congestion, ear pain(pressure from being congested) and my teeth hurt usually a sign that I have a sinus infection. I just took my fourth dose. I don't know how much more I can take of this because everytime I go to the bathroom, I have severe diarrhea."

• Fibro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2022

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "Took Paxlovid 4 days after exposure to COVID, same day as finally testing positive. GoPro let taste almost immediately. This drug caused myalgia and kidney pain. I just took my 5th dose and considering giving up as the pain is severe in my muscles. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. My vitals have all been strong through this."

• KingC
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2023

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "It eliminated post-COVID side effects I had for over a year and eliminated an active COVID infection. I had a very positive experience using Paxlovid, and it definitely made my second bout of COVID more tolerable, and I believe it eliminated viral infections from my body."

• Zelda
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2023

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "I tested positive for COVID on Saturday and started taking Paxlovid on Sunday. I got the first round vaccine but no boosters. I’m in my late 50s and have high blood pressure. This is my first bout with COVID. Within 24 hours, I was feeling much better. By day 3, my worst symptom was fatigue and my fever went away. The metallic taste was present but not intense. On the fourth day, I was able to eat a regular meal, and on the fifth day, I had mild diarrhea which resolved itself in a couple of hours, and a bit of 'brain fog'. So far, no rebound."

• frank
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2024

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "I got a bad bout of Covid and my doctor put me on Paxlovid. I have other serious medical situations including high diabetes and so I'm very worried about new meds. The Covid was so bad, I had to do something or my next move would be a hospital stay. Yes, there were side effects, but it was worth it. After the first dose, I could tell this stuff is going to work for me. I was advised to stop my statin drug for the five days as it doesn't mix well. Take it and get over it! Thanks, doc!"

• vjohn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2023

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) "I am 71 years old, had all of my vaccines and boosters. I contracted COVID Christmas Eve at a house gathering. The first day of my symptoms on Dec. 30, I called my doc and she prescribed Paxlovid. I felt better while taking it; however, after the treatment ended, I had a COVID rebound. I went to my local urgent care (rural area here) and she said this pill does not do well for some folk. Is it approved by FDA?"