Paxlovid and Metallic Taste: What Users Say (Page 3)

• TJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2024

For COVID-19 "Day 2 of Paxlovid. My congestion has improved, my aches have improved. I did experience some gas the 1st day. If I could taste anything, I'm sure there would be that metallic taste. Overall, so glad I am taking the Paxlovid."

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

For COVID-19 "I am on day 2 of Paxlovid, 3 days after testing positive for COVID-19. Seems to be working well, my heavy cough has subsided, and I am feeling better. The metallic taste is awful, some hard candies have helped get rid of that. Hoping to be symptom-free in a few days. This med worked for me."

• XBM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2025

For COVID-19 "It works very well. I’ve never been vac’d, etc. I tested positive 2 days ago, and I basically went to the doctor within 24 hours of my throat hurting one night, and the following morning I got drastically worse with a fever. I got Paxlovid, and as many others have said, each day that goes by gets better and better. It does work well and much faster than over-the-counter. The only downside I’ve had, which is better than feeling the full symptoms of any sickness, is the metallic, nasty taste in your mouth. Find any hard candy or whatever you can find and knock yourself out for a few days, and you’ll be good. Highly recommend."

• Lit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2023

For COVID-19 "I had severe COVID in August 2021 (Delta) despite receiving the J&J vaccine. After weeks in ICU, I was less than thrilled when I tested positive two days ago. That said, I am more than happy to try Paxlovid - or any drug that keeps me alive. Yes, the metallic taste is overwhelming. Yes, you feel loopy. Yes, it’s only approved for emergency use. These all seem like minor inconveniences considering the alternative. Bad taste vs. ICU is an easy decision. I had a low-grade fever yesterday before starting the medication. I awoke this morning, after two doses, feeling much better and with a normal temperature. Thus far, this has been a game-changer."

• Sid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2022

For COVID-19 "My side effects from Paxlovid were worse than COVID. Besides the disgusting, constant metallic/bitter taste in my mouth, I had insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. What food I could keep down went right through me. I thought after the first dose (6 pills) I was feeling better, but I honestly think it was a placebo effect. I am stopping the medication and letting COVID run its course, it can’t be worse than the Paxlovid side effects."

• jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2022

For COVID-19 "Triple vaccinated. 50-year-old female. No underlying conditions. Started with severe sore throat and sinus congestion. Started on the 3rd day of symptoms. 1st dose, metal taste hit after an hour, started feeling better. 2nd dose, taste much, much worse and lasted for about 8 hours, started feeling dizzy, confused, anxious, like I was going to pass out, sinus congestion worse at this point, pressure in chest. 3rd dose, metal taste not as bad, feeling much better but also started taking Real Sudafed, so not sure what made sinuses better. The feeling of an out-of-body experience happened again, more intense, thought I would faint, heart racing. My throat is starting to hurt again. I have not taken the 4th dose and don’t know if I will after reading some of these reviews, something is making me very confused and very out of it, it’s a scary feeling. Not sure what to do."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2023

For COVID-19 "I’m a 53 y/o female. 5’6”, 150 lbs., non-smoker, fully vaccinated, with a chronic cough caused by allergies and GERD. Otherwise healthy. In 2021, I had severe COVID with bilateral pneumonia and severe hypoxia (O2 sats in the mid-70s). I was hospitalized for 4 days, sent home on oxygen for 6 weeks, and off work for 2 months. Three days ago, I was diagnosed again with COVID, and my oxygen levels were starting to drop again into the 80s. I started Paxlovid the day after I tested positive. Honestly, I could tell a difference before I even took my second dose. I’ve taken 4 doses (48 hrs), and my sats have stayed above 95%, my head is feeling so much better, and my cough is nearly gone! I wish they would have had this when I got it the first time. But the side effects include a HORRIBLE metallic taste that doesn’t go away, sore mouth, and explosive burning diarrhea. I’m praying the GI symptoms don’t get so bad that I can’t complete the full 5 days of the med."

• 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."

• 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."

• Unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2022

For COVID-19 "Had a terrible experience with this drug. My primary care doctor prescribed it on the 1st day of testing positive as I am 71 and have a history of bronchitis. Within 4 hours of the 1st dose, I had a violent nausea attack and couldn’t keep it down. The metallic taste was horrible. I found a functional doctor who prescribed Ivermectin for me, and it worked like a charm. No aftereffects at all. The pharmacist who filled the Ivermectin prescription had taken it himself for COVID and highly recommended it. My COVID was gone in 5 days. There are options out there."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2022

For COVID-19 "I had a strong headache, the lower back pain, then I got a fever. Went to a clinic, positive COVID test, prescribed Paxlovid. Took one dose and got severe diarrhea. I stopped the medication. Also, a strong metallic taste. My symptoms stopped within a day, and I felt great a day later. Maybe a smaller dose would have been better, I wish there was more information on dosing. I’ve never needed a full dose of any medications, even Tylenol or Aleve. My doctor joked that I am an alien."

• mum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2023

For COVID-19 "I thought I'd caught a chill/bad cold until on day 2 thought it may be a good idea to test for COVID. I tested positive. I called my doctor as I'm immunocompromised and was prescribed Paxlovid. Felt an improvement after one dose (still feeling bad, severe congestion, but not aching from head to foot). The metallic taste is not nice, but is worth it to feel better and not get worse. It also makes me very sleepy (haven't slept this well in years!). The bottom line is it's worth taking, most medications have some sort of side effects."

• Pap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "I have AFib and moderately high BP. I was double vaxxed when Covid got me in July 2021 at age 72. Treated with Prednisone and Z Pak, and recovery went well. Got boosted in Jan 2022, and lo and behold, Covid hit me again with all the typical symptoms except no fever, diarrhea on 6/1/22. Paxlovid was prescribed, and I truly felt better within a few hours. No metallic taste for me. I still have 3 more doses to take, but am very happy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2022

For COVID-19 "I had gotten COVID 2 years ago at the beginning, it about killed me. (4 visits to acute care facility) I was on 4 antibiotics back then, and it was hell, felt like a Mack truck hit me. Finally, the third week started getting better. Now, here 2 years later, fully vaccinated, got COVID again and severe sore throat, body aches, fever, chills, nausea, was prescribed Paxlovid. After day one, feel better and, of course, metallic taste is awful, better congestion already, and headaches aren’t so severe. Started day two meds and still metallic taste but feeling slightly better, praying this gets better each day. Try coffee to rid the taste and drink lots of water, don’t mix vitamins and cough medicines with this drug. Keep positive, praying no long-term effects!"

• Rik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2022

For COVID-19 "Don’t know if I recovered thanks to the medicine. Side effects: bitter metallic taste, also brings about dry coughing, terrible back pain - lower back, pelvic, particularly at night - could lie on my back at all during the night. Does anyone know how long it takes till these side effects disappear?"

• KKM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2022

For COVID-19 "I started my first dose of Paxlovid Tuesday after being diagnosed with COVID. My symptoms were fatigue and what felt like a bad sinus infection. I’ve taken a total of 4 doses of Paxlovid, and while some of my COVID symptoms have improved, I’m having side effects from the medicine, including a metallic taste in my mouth that I could deal with, but the pain in my stomach, diarrhea, nausea, and how bad overall it’s making me feel I can’t deal with. I think that 4th dose will be my last. I saw some others had stopped, I was curious how the rest of their COVID went."

• jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2023

For COVID-19 "It didn't occur to me I had COVID because my first symptom was that the skin on my back felt like it was burnt. But a few hours later, I had a thumping headache, high temperature, aching joints, sore throat, and couldn't stay awake. I was on the sofa with a heated blanket, and getting up was a struggle. Two hours after my first dose, I was out walking the dog! The following morning, I'm virtually symptom-free. I can't believe it. I have a slight metallic taste, which I'll happily put up with to eliminate my debilitating symptoms."

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

For COVID-19 "I started taking Paxlovid on day two of testing positive for Covid. Within hours of taking it, I started to feel less achy and could feel its effects working. I have GI issues normally, so Covid kicked my butt, where I was more nauseous than I have ever experienced in my life. Paxlovid, for me, did have some nausea effects, but not to the extreme I was feeling just a few days before, and yes, a metal taste in your mouth, but not horrible. After taking 2 full packets (morning and night doses), I started to feel almost 100% better. There is still some grogginess, and the overall unwell feeling comes and goes, but taking this has truly helped! I would absolutely recommend. I am not vaccinated, and this is my second time around with Covid. When I had it last year, this medication was not available to me, so I am extremely thankful to have it this time around. You will get better! Hang in there."

• Tan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2023

For COVID-19 "I took Paxlovid in July, and it was great! It worked fast, but the metallic taste was, and still is, horrible. It is now a long-term side effect with me, especially when it is really cold out and my breathing gets thrown off, and I have to use an inhaler and also have a cough drop just to help."

• Gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2022

For COVID-19 "Was prescribed on day 3 after a positive COVID test. The doctor told me to stop statin drugs while I was on Paxlovid. Took the first dose. The metallic taste was really bad. The next day, I developed what felt like the heebie-jeebies in my stomach. I went to bed and slept all day. When I got up, my wife and I thought I should not take the rest of the Paxlovid."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started taking Paxlovid the second day of symptoms. My symptoms got pretty bad fast, and I can't imagine what might have happened without the Paxlovid. I felt better after every dose, but Covid definitely was fighting back! However, after the third day, I was much better. Yes on the metallic taste, my son's Dum-Dums seemed to take care of that. I am thankful I had Paxlovid."

• Pat...
• September 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "I'm a 57-year-old that recently traveled. Vaccinated and boosted x1. I had Covid initially when the first wave took so many lives. I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to even have a cure, the minor side effect of the metallic taste is not worrisome. I immediately began to feel better after day 2. Thank you again."

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

For COVID-19 "It's day 3 on Paxlovid for me. I found this drug to be amazing thus far. I felt better after my first dose. I still have a slight cough and fuzzy COVID brain, but that is manageable. I've had worse after a dab. The worst part is the disgusting metallic taste in my mouth. I feel like I just ate the tin."

• MJB...
• October 8, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am on day 3 of Paxlovid. I am on the fence, I considered stopping it, as it makes me feel badly, and the diarrhea and stomach upset are bad. As far as that terrible metallic taste, I have found that gargling with Listerine mouthwash really does a good job of getting rid of the metal taste temporarily. I wanted to share this simple solution. I like the blue cool mint flavor, it works well. I guess I will continue with the remaining days, however, it is not an easy drug to tolerate. But its potential for protection against serious issues must be considered top priority."

• Guy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2022

For COVID-19 "The first day I had a dripping nose, cough, and a sore throat developed. By evening, I was quite weak and had a fever and tested positive for Covid. By midnight, I could not move at all, and an ambulance had to take me to the ER as my wife could not move me to get me into the car. I am 81 with several underlying issues, creating immune problems. I was given oxygen and Tylenol and released a few hours later with a Paxlovid prescription. With the Paxlovid, I was “a new man” after 24 hours, all symptoms gone except a mild cough. I recommend it highly! It was like a miracle drug. Unlike other reviews, I did not have the metallic taste, nor any other side effects. At this time, Paxlovid was free."