Paxlovid and Metallic Taste: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Des...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2023

For COVID-19 "Thankful for Paxlovid. I’m 26 years old, fully vaccinated and boosted. The first day of symptoms began with an itchy throat and coughing, figured maybe it was my allergies at first. Coughing got worse throughout the day. Tested for COVID and was negative. The next morning I woke up was absolutely awful. Body aches everywhere, sore to the touch, I was sweating but freezing cold. The headache was the worst part and a really bad sore throat. Retested for COVID and came back positive. I called my doctor to see if there was anything that could be prescribed to help reduce symptoms, and I was prescribed Paxlovid 2X daily for 5 days. Within one hour of taking my first dose, my headache, body aches, and chills were completely gone. The next day I felt almost perfect, just a sore throat and low energy, but so much better. On my 3rd day of taking Paxlovid, I finally developed that metallic taste everyone was talking about. It’s not that bad, definitely better than feeling COVID symptoms."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2022

For COVID-19 "I was given Paxlovid for my COVID diagnosis since I have asthma, along with steroids. I took as instructed, and everything was getting better immediately within one hour of my dose. The only side effect I experienced was a metallic taste shortly after taking it, and then it would go away. I feel it helped, but now I am still week two after positive, no medicines needed, but a lot of feeling like I’m drugged. Is this brain fog with COVID, or is the Paxlovid still in my system making me feel very out of it? I read many reviews, and it doesn’t seem like others have experienced this, so maybe I am in severe brain fog with COVID."

• Get...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2022

For COVID-19 "Just completed day 2 of Paxlovid. So far, my experience has been good. I started Paxlovid on day 4 of my COVID positive. I was experiencing a sore throat, chills, body aches, chest congestion, and severe fatigue. Of course, I have the metal taste, and at one point, I thought the taste was going to make me vomit. What worked for me is RED Hot candy. I keep one small tab in my mouth, and it works wonders. This is my first COVID diagnosis, but I am very hopeful. I will respect this virus by continuing to keep up with my vitamins, rest a lot, and drink plenty of fluids."

• Cap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2022

For COVID-19 "I have CML leukemia and have been taking Bosulif (bosutinib) for the past 10 months with excellent results. I have no other health conditions, allergies. 2x Moderna vax. Not boosted. 6/17/2022 Onset of mild cold-like symptoms: dry unproductive cough, nasal congestion. 6/18/2022 Symptoms worsen. Cough becomes productive with yellow-green mucus. Sore throat. Runny nose. 6/19 I self-test positive for Covid-19 and visit my PCP. I test positive for Covid-19. Rx for Paxlovid and I begin meds immediately. 6/20/2022 horrible metallic taste in my mouth. Liquid jetting diarrhea that burns. Loss of appetite. Lethargy. 6/21 Cold-like symptoms are subsiding. Cough is more productive though. Get it up, spit it out, don't swallow. Awful taste in mouth worsens. Diarrhea worsens. Loss of appetite persists. Lethargy worsens. 6/23 Finish 5 days of Rx. 6/26 Side effects continue. Flu symptoms gone. I wonder if I'd have been better NOT taking Paxlovid. Side effects horrible and persist."

• Med...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2022

For COVID-19 "I’ve been taking Paxlovid for 4 days. I’m feeling so much better, and the only negative side effect for me so far is the metallic taste. I’m vaccinated, and this is my second round of COVID. I have asthma and COPD, so staying out of the hospital is key for me."

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2023

For COVID-19 "My COVID symptoms came on suddenly, and I have never felt so sick in my life. About 4 hours after my first dose of Paxlovid, I felt like something lifted. I just felt like I had a bad flu, but not that feeling that it was taking me under. I have been getting better with each dose. Until I read these reviews, I didn't realize that I was having a metallic taste. But I'm not having any other GI symptoms or any of the things I've read about. I'm incredibly grateful for this drug."

• jca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2022

For COVID-19 "My wife and I tested positive, and I was hit the hardest, and we were both vax'd fully. Doc prescribed Paxlovid, and the first dose seemed to have some effectiveness. The metallic taste is not pleasant, but worth it considering how I feel now after the second dose and how I felt Tuesday. It's even decreased my tinnitus a little, which means I will be taking this to the end regardless of some side effects. Hope more people consider this as an option."

• Cdt...
• July 1, 2022

For COVID-19 "I started Paxlovid the same day I tested positive for COVID. The metallic taste is awful. The first night had stomach cramps and trouble sleeping. Took it for five days, and three days later, I still have a metallic taste in my mouth, diarrhea, and acid reflux. The drug helped, but the side effects are not nice. Wondering how long it will take for the side effects to subside."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2023

For COVID-19 "Started Paxlovid on day 3 of onset of symptoms. Had terrible muscle aches, fever, cough, headache. Paxlovid caused a terrible metallic taste in my mouth nonstop along with an extremely dry mouth. Lozenges and flavored water helped. The metallic taste seems to have lessened today (day 3 of the 5-day course). I’m also experiencing terrible insomnia, but not sure if that’s due to the meds or COVID. I truly think Paxlovid has lessened my COVID symptoms. I plan to finish the whole course. The metallic taste and slight nausea are worth it."

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2025

For COVID-19 "I wanted to write this review here in 2025 after my experience, as many of the reviews seem to be 2+ years ago. I came down with Covid pretty quickly on a Wednesday night around 10:30. I did not take any medication and went straight to the doctor the next morning. I was prescribed Paxlovid, but due to insurance, I had to wait until the evening for them to fill the order. I started Paxlovid on the Thursday after I was symptomatic, and by Saturday I was symptom-free. On that Sunday, I was testing negative. And on my last day of taking it on the following Tuesday morning, I was still negative. My mother had taken the medication before and tolerated it well. However, she’s on a great deal of medications for her heart and may not have noticed any side effects. I myself tolerated it pretty well and only had periodic moments when I had a metallic taste in my mouth. By far, the metallic taste was better to deal with than the Covid symptoms, which were pretty harsh."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2022

For COVID-19 "This was my second time with Covid. But I think Paxlovid has made all the difference this time. I felt super lousy at first. Within 24 hours of taking this med, my symptoms were much better. So far, the only side effect is the metallic taste it leaves. I can deal with that to feel better. I had pneumonia with Covid in 2020. This med helps stop the spread of the virus, so I don’t think it will go to my lungs this time. What a lifesaver. I will chalk one up for medical science!"

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

For COVID-19 "My symptoms started last Saturday, thinking it was allergies. I boosted my normal asthma and allergy meds. Sunday began nasal rinse with Neti pot using McCullough protocol (1/2 tsp iodine w/ full Neti of warm water). Monday morning, I did a home test bc of low-grade fever, which came up positive. Did teledoc appointment hoping for Z-Pak and steroid pack. Doc did one better and prescribed Paxlovid plus Medrol Dose Pack. I’m guessing I fit the criteria bc I’m prone to minor asthma? Anyway, so glad he prescribed! He also suggested the McCullough Vitamin protocol, which I had on hand from other family members previously having COVID. By Weds AM, I’d not run low-grade fever in about 18 hours and all of my symptoms had subsided except coughing… which was GREATLY reduced. Only 2 side effects… terrible metallic taste and insomnia. I’ll take those over being seriously ill any day!"

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "I tested positive for COVID, my doctor put me on Paxlovid to take for 5 days. After the 2nd dose, I noticed a big difference. I am grateful that we have a medicine for this. The only thing is the awful metallic taste in your mouth that comes after you take the medicine. This medicine is a definite game changer."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2022

For COVID-19 "Day 1 through 3. I had no side effects except for the metallic taste in my mouth. I took the 3rd to last dose and had diarrhea on the fourth day. I am finishing it since I just have 2 more doses, but on the upside. I had much more energy within 1 day of taking it, my fever was gone within 2 days of taking the medication. I will be glad to get my system back to normal tomorrow night."

• dah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2022

For COVID-19 "Took Paxlovid on day 3 of symptoms after maintaining a 104 fever for 24 hours. Had intense body aches and fatigue from COVID with a deep chest cough. Took my first dose at night, and by morning symptoms were already drastically better. The metallic/soapy taste sets in one or two hours after taking the dose and continues through the course of the medicines. Fruit masks most of the flavor (orange, lemon, and parsley, however, they taste awful). The soap taste fades as you get further away from dosing time. Have a residual cough that I’m not sure if it’s leftover COVID or acid reflux from the meds. Rapid test is nearly negative at day 8. Will post again if I end up with rebound, but so far, so good. My boyfriend, who did not take Paxlovid, was already better by day 4, so it definitely helped me avoid hospitalization."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2022

For COVID-19 "I just finished my last dose of Paxlovid. Yes, I had the awful metallic taste in my mouth and had one day of diarrhea. This is my second time to have COVID, I am fully vaccinated and boosted, but I have asthma. I would take Paxlovid again if necessary. I believe it kept the virus out of my lungs, and mainly I just feel congested in my head. This is a small price to pay to stay out of the hospital. I’m hoping the metallic taste is gone in a day or so, food is not very appealing right now."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2022

For COVID-19 "I’m a 43-year-old Asian healthy female. I attained Paxlovid after my husband had Covid two days before me, but he decided not to take it after concerns for his blood pressure. I was on day 5 of symptoms of lethargy, poor appetite, body aches, fever, chills, headache, and loss of smell and taste when I started it. The metallic taste was the worst the first two days, especially at night. It didn’t subside until I stopped taking the medicine. I was able to test negative two days after completing two days of pills. There was a minor boost in energy, and my sense of smell and taste returned halfway by the completion of the medication. It wasn’t pleasant, but I don’t think that I could have felt better and tested negative sooner."

• dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2025

For COVID-19 "It was great after I took 2 doses one day. My cough got better. The metallic taste is horrible, and the diarrhea has been hard to control. Overall, I will say it worked. Last time I had COVID, it was bad. This time, with some meds, it was manageable."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2022

For COVID-19 "Well, day 2 and I feel better. Taking two 150 mg and one 100 mg tablets. Gives me a bad taste in my mouth. Like metallic taste. Energy level is up. But don’t feel like running just yet. Had a bit of a watery movement this morning. No pain in my gut. Headache is gone, that is good. Still have a tightness in my chest but gets better when I cough something up."

• Lig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "I took the full 5-day course of Paxlovid. I had the horrible metallic taste but was grateful to have an antiviral medication and not risk very bad symptoms of COVID. I am 67. Within 24 hours of the last dose, the metallic taste was gone. I felt a bit better each day. Diarrhea was also mentioned as a possible side effect. I only had one episode of diarrhea on the 5th day, and by then I was done with the medication."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2022

For COVID-19 "I was diagnosed with Covid on June 10, 2022, went to the ER because I thought I had a bad sinus infection or the flu. I took 2 at-home Covid tests and they came out negative, so for them to tell me I had Covid, I was very surprised. It was very easy for me to get my hands on Paxlovid at my pharmacy. I have only taken a couple rounds of the medication and I'm already feeling a lot better. The only problem is the rotten taste in my mouth. It tastes like I swallowed fingernail polish remover and it just lingers in my mouth all day. It’s a very metallic taste, but other than that it’s very manageable. If I didn’t have this medicine, I would probably be back at the ER."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started taking Paxlovid two days after testing positive for Covid. I took 3 tablets in the morning and 3 tablets in the evening with food. I read the reviews and was reluctant to start taking it, but I decided I didn’t want to end up in the hospital. After 3 days, I was feeling much better. My cough was the first thing I noticed that cleared up rather quickly. Symptoms started going away, and by the 5th day, I was feeling almost back to normal. I had no side effects except the metallic taste in my mouth, which was tolerable and didn’t last that long. I ate mints to elevate the taste. I was extremely impressed with the efficiency of the medication and highly recommend it."

• Isl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am 57, relatively healthy, and this was my first dance with Covid. I just took my final dose of Paxlovid tonight. What a game changer. I went from being couch-bound to almost normal in less than 2 days. Fever gone, body aches gone. Lingering sinus and headaches were all that remained. Today (day 5) I feel fantastic. The metallic taste was intense at first but subsided with each day. Highly endorse this treatment."

• Pax...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2023

For COVID-19 "On day 1, a metal taste started and stayed the entire time. Day 2, headache, dizziness, and nausea continued through day 5. Glad to have this option, but the side effects are intense."

• Ljr...
• June 9, 2022

For COVID-19 "Have only had one dose so far. Really just wanted to share that the doc in Canada recommended orange juice for the metallic taste. It worked!"