Paxlovid and Fever: What Users Say

• Zen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2022

For COVID-19 "I tested COVID positive four days ago, double vaccinated and boosted. The next morning I was so ill that I went to the ER after a virtual doctor said I needed to be seen. After an IV and toradol for my acute pain, I was given a prescription for Paxlovid. I spent that day and the next with fever, intense pain, and every COVID symptom except loss of taste/smell. Luckily I mostly slept. I was beginning to think I was incredibly lucky to have had the pills or they weren't working because my symptoms were so intense. However after another night of fever, coughing and pain, I woke up and felt so much better. I found these postings while searching for information on the metallic, sour taste in my mouth, which I also am experiencing. But for me, this side effect, is well worth it."

• She...
• May 23, 2022

For COVID-19 "We both have been vaccinated and boosted. But my husband came down with Covid anyway. He said he felt like he had been run over by a truck. Fever, sore throat, coughing. He started Paxlovid that 1st day of symptoms. After finishing the 5-day treatment, he felt much better. Still does. Paxlovid worked. I came down with Covid on the 4th day. I got Paxlovid too. Started it that 1st day of symptoms. The taste was horrible, but manageable. I also felt better after day 5. But 3 days later, I got hit with a vengeance. High fever, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches. It did not work for me. Anyone else have this happen to them??? A 10 for my husband. A 0 for me."

• ene...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2022

For COVID-19 "I'm halfway through my dose regime. I had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and was in and out of the hospital for tests. I'm fully vaccinated with two boosters. On the day that symptoms became obvious - mild fever, cough, vertigo, nausea, headache, sinus. I tested positive on two home tests - and then called my doctor and left an evening message. I woke up with a message that Paxlovid was waiting for me at the pharmacy. I took the first dose right away. That day was similar to the bad symptoms as the day before, but when I awoke in the morning, I was remarkably different. I felt much better, and the only thing that's held on is the sinus issue and some fatigue (though much less). After reading these reviews, I feel fortunate that I haven't had the bad taste. My wife now has Covid, and I feel bad for her. With no underlying conditions, she's just powering through and isn't well. I'm very thankful for this product."

• Mat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2022

For COVID-19 "I was diagnosed 3 days after symptoms started, I was ill, and my husband took me to the ER. Sore throat, fever, chills. I asked about the infusion, and the doctor said they had pills. I said that’s great and took them (Paxlovid) for 3 doses. I have NEVER been so sick in my life, gastric nausea….. I quit after the 3rd dose. That was 1 week ago. My whole trunk area severely aches! This should not be on the market, in my opinion. I recently talked to 2 other people that had the same reaction I did. I am worried about liver and/or colon damage."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2024

For COVID-19 "Got positive results on Tuesday starting Paxlovid. Today is Thursday. Have an awful metallic taste, light diarrhea. Fever was 102.6, now 98.7. Medication is working, but I will have to force myself to finish it. Yikes."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2024

For COVID-19 "Had severe headache, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, nausea, and extreme fatigue. Next day, tested positive for Covid. Started Paxlovid later that evening. Felt much better the very next morning. Almost completely normal later that day. Only side effect for me was the metallic taste in mouth. But that didn't really bother me too much. Highly recommend. Will not hesitate to take it if I ever get Covid again."

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

For COVID-19 "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 I even bothered with this drug, because I feel I’m right back where I started."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2022

For COVID-19 "Excellent results after 48 hours. No more coughing, fever, fatigue, or lung damage. Reported taste effect was not bad at all. I got suddenly euphoric, then quickly very light-headed just after dose 2, sat down quickly. Start taking Day 1 and COVID won't go to your lungs - avoid lung damage (I got some 'cause I started Day 3). Do NOT make the mistake of thinking you have a mild case because Day 1 and 3 are mild!!!!! I made this mistake and paid the price in two seriously painful and dangerous nights, in addition to a huge ER bill!!! The drug is a modern miracle."

• Reg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2022

For COVID-19 "I had manageable common symptoms: sore throat, fever, chills, headache, nausea, but all mild-ish. But I’m over 50, and my doctors thought I should take it to clear the virus and prevent it from getting worse. I'm double vaxed and double boosted. I also had the metallic taste, it actually felt like I was breathing vapors. It knocked me out, and I woke up feeling like I was in the Matrix pods, sweating on fire and in a panic. It felt so much worse than my symptoms. I tried one more dose, and same thing. I’ve stopped and am hoping I can get back on track. I should have trusted my gut that my vaccinations were enough. I do think it’s worth trying if you are unvaccinated or feeling really horrible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2023

For COVID-19 "Healthy female with an age of 55, the only risk factor. Double vaccinated and double boosted. Had some chills and felt feverish on Monday night. Tuesday was just tired with achy joints (like every time I had the Pfizer Covid vaccine) and sinuses getting congested. Wednesday morning, took a Binax at-home Covid test that lit up positive right away. Scheduled a virtual doctor appointment and was prescribed Paxlovid. Took the first dose in the morning on Thursday. The bitter taste is everything everyone mentions. It just doesn’t go away. Developed some abdominal cramping (gas) and then the diarrhea. Still, after just one dose, the cough has subsided, the nasal congestion is almost gone, and the achy joints are gone too. Will keep taking to hopefully kick this virus to the curb. Recently had a colonoscopy, so the diarrhea is familiar, lol. Just drink the Gatorade to keep the electrolytes in check and not get dehydrated. Will update if things change."

• Den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2023

For COVID-19 "This is my 3rd attempt at posting about my experience with Paxlovid, and not one of my reviews has been posted. Why screen negative outcomes? Within hours of the first COVID symptoms and testing positive, I was prescribed Paxlovid. My only symptoms were severe sore throat. Within 90 minutes of the first dose, I had diarrhea. That night, I had a fever, severe migraine, and vomited for hours. The next day, diarrhea again, which turned into burning diarrhea that felt like acid and made me bleed. Others have reported this! The second night, I felt panic. I spent hours on the phone the 3rd day with the pharmacist, nurse, and physician because what I was passing was so excruciatingly painful I truly believe I was having an adverse reaction to the drug. I had ulcers too. After 3 days, I stopped. COVID came roaring back, and I was still positive on day 10. This was my 1st time getting COVID. I am 57, fully vaxxed and boosted. I would never trust this medicine again and believe I was harmed by it."

• gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2022

For COVID-19 "I have had 3 doses of Paxlovid and no longer have body aches, fever, or headache. I still have lots of nasal and post-nasal drip, sore throat, and bad cough. I experienced the metallic taste yesterday and earlier today, but that has resolved at this time. I am now experiencing loose bowels, but no pain or discomfort related to that. I plan to finish the course unless my side effects become too severe. I am happy this treatment is available for folks at high risk for severe COVID symptoms and hospitalization, but I hope the drug manufacturers will come up with an effective version that does not have so many drug interactions and could be available to everyone who wants it, not just high-risk folks. This prescription was only available at the local hospital pharmacy and at Walgreens in my area, and I received it at no cost."

• cyb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2024

For COVID-19 "I thought we had sinus for 2 days, we tested negative for COVID. Day 3, we both tested positive and got the Paxlovid. My husband had all the boosters, but I did not, I was allergic to the Moderna shot. We are over 66 and have other high-risk conditions. We were scared. Our heads felt like they were going to explode, so much mucus we felt like we were drowning. Chest pressure, fatigue, blurred vision, sore throat, fever, cough... After 2 days of Paxlovid, 80% of the symptoms went away or became very mild. However, the pills do make your mouth very nasty, forget about tasting any food. I would get a stomach ache in the mornings from it, and we walked around like zombies, kind of out of it. But when you take into account we could be in ICU with a breathing tube down our throats, I guess this is way better. We still have 2 and a half more days to go. I am praying... COVID did not go into any kind of hibernation mode waiting for us to stop the pill, then attack again. Thank you, Paxlovid."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2024

For COVID-19 "I am undergoing cancer treatment and am required to go to the ER if I get a fever. So when I woke at 3 am to the chills and fever, I hopped into the ER expecting a flu or maybe a UTI, only to find I had COVID. The doctor gave me the script for Paxlovid, but I was too ill to go on that day (Sunday) and just went back to bed. That day was awful - intense bone pain, eye pain, fever, chills, headache. 9/10 severity. Day 2 of COVID I got a friend to pick up my prescription and started it. I felt a little better after the first dose. By the next morning, I was 80% better. I hadn’t kept up my vaccination after the initial ones in 2020-2021, but my mom (who has been staying with me) had, and she was hit far less severely. My kids also didn’t have many symptoms. Only downside is the metallic taste, but that’s okay."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2022

For COVID-19 "Wow, I am so grateful for this medicine! I am prone to bronchitis, so the doctor recommended this. First time with COVID. My husband tested positive Tuesday AM, so I was anticipating it as well. Tested negative four times, and then tested positive this Thursday night (today is Saturday). I called the doctor Friday AM and was able to get it within a few hours. My symptoms began Wednesday, other than fatigue, which I felt Monday and Tuesday. Started with a dry cough, which became way more persistent on Thursday and Friday, body aches, headache, fatigue, and general malaise. By Friday, I had a fever as well. I took the first dose around 4 pm on Friday and then the second at midnight. I woke up Saturday AM feeling no body aches, no fever, no headache. Unbelievable. I am so thankful! I do have a bit of that bitter taste in the back of my mouth, but I am drinking lots of tea, ginger juice, and cough drops. Tolerable to not feel severe COVID symptoms. Highly recommend Paxlovid if you are COVID positive!"

• T1D...
• November 3, 2022

For COVID-19 "I was diagnosed with COVID for the first time on 10.25.22, positive at home test, then positive PCR/lab. Fully vaccinated and boosted but hadn't gotten the latest one yet. I've had type 1 diabetes for 38 years; I'm 48 now. Symptoms from the virus: cough, fever, exhaustion, massive nasal discharge, first night's sleep fairly delirious. Very sudden onset, like I felt, 'I'm screwed. This is going to be bad.' The endocrinologist called in Paxlovid. I started the first day after diagnosis. Within three days, I was literally symptom-free (by the way, I had not even heard of this drug yet). I don't put a ton of trust in at-home rapid tests, but I felt so good by days 5-6 (even before then) that I tested because I had zero symptoms. Negative. Taste-gross. But it is five days; who cares? Ice water with lemon did the trick for me. Advice: take a probiotic. This will save your stomach. It is a MUST for any antiviral/antibiotic. Final fyi: I don't have a baseline to compare this to not taking the medication since it's my first diagnosis of COVID. But I would 100% take it again, no questions asked."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2022

For COVID-19 "I tested positive on a Tuesday and had felt poorly for 2 days before I decided to test. I had congestion, fever, muscle aches, brain fog, and tightness in my chest. I immediately started taking Paxlovid. Within 24 hours, I felt better. By Friday, I retested, and it was negative. The taste was awful, and I slept terribly with nightmares and woke up frequently. I used gummies and berry mints throughout the 5-day treatment. I feel 100% and very happy to have a negative test. This is my second bout of COVID. The first time wasn’t as severe but felt icky for 2 weeks after symptoms started. I had J&J and 1 booster. I was going for a second booster last week, but I got COVID instead."

• Sus...
• September 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "COVID is roaring through my school like a forest fire! I'm 69, a substitute teacher, and I caught it! I tested for 3 days negative, but finally positive on the 4th day. I knew this wasn't a normal cold. My doctor prescribed Paxlovid because of my history of chronic bronchitis, which becomes asthmatic bronchitis if it gets really bad. The taste of dirt in my mouth continued for 4 days and disappeared on the 5th and last day of the medication. My only symptoms were a HUGE head cold, deep cough, slight fever, and weakness. My symptoms started to clear up on the 5th day. I cannot say for sure that this medicine did anything at all! I have 2 inhalers for my asthma when it presents, and I think that they did more for me than anything. One is Proventil, the other is Symbicort. The only advice I would like to give is: take it with food if you have a sketchy stomach. It says you don't have to, but when I did, I could tell that the filler in those pills was irritating my tummy!"

• Iow...
• September 2, 2022

For COVID-19 "Tested positive on a Monday morning, feeling absolutely horrible. I have had COVID in November 2020 and have had 4 Pfizer shots. I am barely over 50. But I started taking Paxlovid later on Monday, first dose. No issues, I ate with it, no super bad taste. By Tuesday night, I felt better, by Thursday, I felt great. Monday: fever, sore, sneezy and cough, weak, and extremely tired. Friday: a tail end of a cold feeling, and honestly, I feel very normal. Great drug for me against COVID."

• jho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am immune compromised and have been vaccinated once. I got COVID the first time before the vaccine was out. Was out of work for two and a half months, never been so sick in my life. The second diagnosis was about one week ago. Started taking Paxlovid on day two of symptoms. Had a fever off and on for about three days. Had the worst sore throat for about three days also. Then started to feel better on day four, now last day of meds. Still have some symptoms, a little worried about stopping them. Had that bad taste, small price to pay for not getting as sick as I was the first time!!"

• 1st...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2022

For COVID-19 "I stayed safe during 2020 since my dad was high risk, but Covid got him, and he died in November 2020. I had a lot of PTSD and depression, so I avoided Covid again in 2021. Well, in May 2022, my unvaccinated coworker had his third case of Covid, and I caught it. Day 1, I was so fatigued and had chills. Day 2, I had horrible sinus pressure, and drainage started. Day 3, I had to go back to work, and I was so out of it and miserable. I left midday to get tested, my rapid test was negative, and I was told to come back to work. Day 4, I felt better but still not good, lost my taste but still had my smell, and my PCR showed positive. Day 5, my fever jumped to 102, and I had extreme fatigue along with sinus issues, and I started the meds. By the end of the night, the chest pain and drainage were gone. Day 2 of the meds but day 6 of Covid, and I had a slight fever and was tired. I don’t have much of an appetite, and the side effect is surely the rotten grapefruit taste. For reference, I’m a 30-year-old female, relatively healthy, but with thyroid disease and a low immune system from severe depression."

• Ted...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2022

For COVID-19 "Our case was unusual, we went to the doctor for our annual physicals. My wife and I both got flu shots, my wife also got a shingles shot, which I refused. The next day, we had low-grade fevers. This seemed normal for flu shots, but it should only last 2 days. My wife was worse, so maybe 2 shots might do that. By Saturday, my wife temped 102.5, and I knew something was wrong. We immediately called our doctor Monday morning but couldn’t get a virtual appointment till the next day. So we are one week and 6 days after our first temp signs. We both tested COVID positive and were given Paxlovid. Our third dose will be in a half hour. The bad taste was there, but we found if you eat or drink something bland, such as plain water, it just tasted nasty. However, iced water was much better. Watermelon Monster chilled was really good! Same with foods, flavored seasoned tastes way better than anything bland. The bad taste does return."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2025

For COVID-19 "I awoke at 6 am on a Wednesday feeling very ill. By midday, I tested positive for Covid. I had a fever of 101.7, severe congestion, body aches, swollen glands, and a very sore throat. After a call in to the doctor, I started the first dose of Paxlovid early afternoon. Within 2-3 hours, I could feel a lessened weight in the symptoms, although I was bed-ridden. The last low-grade fever and significant congestion was on Friday afternoon. By Saturday, I was symptom-free, although weak and tired. It is important to note that I had no lung or breathing symptoms other than congestion: no chest tightness or aches and no significant cough other than intermittent. I did have significant GI side effects from the antiviral, which became full-blown after 3-4 doses. I managed these by eliminating dairy, eating a BRAT diet, using IB-Guard. While the side effects were very unpleasant, it was wonderful to return to my daily routine in just five days!"

• Soc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2023

For COVID-19 "I tested positive for COVID on Monday. My husband tested positive on Sunday. We are both in our middle 60s. We both have underlying conditions, so we decided not to take the chance with COVID. We picked up the medication Monday afternoon and began taking it Monday evening. We both took the first set of 3 pills. They are in a blister pack with 2 pink pills and 1 white. We ate supper and took all 3 pills. About an hour later, you begin to have this burning sensation in the back of your throat. You also begin to taste something like a cross between grapefruit and a metal can in your throat. It is not pleasant at all. We did both begin to feel better after the first dose. We had chills, fever, headache, stuffy nose, generalized malaise, and just feeling unwell. We took the medication for 3 days, but the GI issues began to get very difficult. So we both stopped taking them after 3 days. I did have a rebound case, and it was within the 5 days, so I began taking them again after 1 day off."

• Ant...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started Paxlovid day 3 of the Omicron variant. I had “severe” headache, fever, chills, congestion, cough, SOB, general malaise. After day 2 of treatment, I was significantly better. I went from feeling so bad from the severe headache to feeling so much better. Yes, a very strong sour metallic aftertaste 24/7 until treatment was completed. Gladly, I can tolerate that in exchange for Covid relief symptoms. I would definitely recommend it. I am high risk, cardiac, asthma, etc. Better to have a bad aftertaste than to be sick enough for hospitalization or death."