Paxlovid and Nausea: What Users Say

• scp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2022

For COVID-19 "Both my wife and I took Paxlovid. The bad taste and nausea were awful. Couldn't eat, dry heaves, and had trouble sleeping. I stopped after 2 days and my wife after one day. 3 days after stopping Paxlovid, I still have that bad taste and slight nausea, but it is getting better. I'm double vaxxed and booster'd. For me, I regret taking Paxlovid. The side effects were too severe."

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2022

For COVID-19 "I started on Paxlovid on a Friday after developing some chest tightness and a drop in my O2 sats after testing positive on Thursday. While the yucky taste was unpleasant, it was tolerable. My problem was the gastric upset. I developed diffuse abdominal pain and cramping, and diarrhea. I could have dealt with that, but I then began vomiting Saturday evening, and by Sunday morning, I was unable to keep clear liquids down. I ended up in the ER with weakness and what I figured was dehydration. Labs were OK, so not severely dry, received IV fluids, and Zofran for the nausea, and discharged home. The doctor wasn’t familiar with Paxlovid, so couldn’t give me sound advice to try and continue or stop. I chose to stop it. 12 hours after the ER visit, I’ve kept some bland food down and doing better. My sore throat is gone, my cough much improved, and my sats are 96-98%. I hope and pray I continue to improve and don’t backslide as unable to tolerate this med."

• E S...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "My cough subsided in about 48 hours. I noticed a horrible taste in my mouth about 30 minutes after taking the medication. About an hour later, I would get severely dizzy and nauseous. So much so that I had to go to sleep to avoid falling, getting hurt, and vomiting. On day 3, I couldn't keep down the meds and vomited. My COVID-19 related symptoms are much improved, but the side effects of this med make me feel terrible."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2023

For COVID-19 "I am triple boosted, and the latest bivalent shot was a month ago. Got COVID for the first time 3 days ago, and Dr. highly recommended Paxlovid due to risk factors. Let me tell you, these side effects are completely intolerable, in my opinion. I don’t know how anyone can take 5 days of this medication. The taste makes me gag constantly, and the burning diarrhea is so painful. I took 2 days of pills and cannot bear to take another dose. I can only eat bland foods due to the nausea and horrendous taste in my mouth. These side effects are not mild! Every time I read that, I am shocked. Who knows what toll it has already taken on my colon and liver? It’s an experimental drug, and they don’t know much about it yet. Absolutely horrible experience. Do not recommend."

• Ano...
• March 7, 2023

For COVID-19 "I started taking Paxlovid the 2nd day of COVID symptoms and noticed I felt better after 2 doses, however, the metallic taste was terrible even with mints and juice. On the second day of taking Paxlovid, things started going downhill. I had a constant stomach ache, nausea, headache, and body aches so bad I couldn’t sleep or eat. On day three, I was so miserable I couldn’t put another pill in my mouth, so I quit taking it due to the terrible side effects!"

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "I have taken this Paxlovid, and today would be day 4, and I now at this point cannot take this medication anymore. I have had severe heartburn since day 1 of this medication. I have woken up in the middle of the night with acid and choked on it, with a metallic taste, which is the worst taste anyone can ever experience. That taste from day one when that pill goes down your throat, you do everything you can to get rid of, and it’s there all day and night long. Nauseous from the meds, I don’t want to eat. On day 4, I woke up feeling better than I have in 8 days, and I took my pill at 11:30 a.m. and once I took that pill, not even within 30 mins, I felt so sick and had headaches and so on. I have both my vaccines and 1st booster, and I will never recommend this medication to anyone. This medication makes you worse than COVID does. Puts you down and out worse."

• And...
• June 11, 2023

For COVID-19 "I am a healthy, 115-lb 68-year-old female with no major health problems. I became extremely sick very quickly with COVID, and so I opted to take Paxlovid. I was told of the side effects (diarrhea, loss of taste) but was worried that my symptoms would worsen and took the risk. Bad decision! It did work quickly on my COVID symptoms, but the effect on my GI system was unbearable. I constantly felt nauseous, could not eat a thing (everything tasted disgusting and made me want to vomit), and terrible GI upset all the time. I was worried about losing too much weight too quickly and called my doctor to talk to a nurse. She advised me to finish the 5 days and 'drink a lot of fluids' since I couldn't eat. I completed 4 days but could not finish the last day of pills. I lost 5 lbs in 5 days. On top of all that: I got Paxlovid rebound! This drug needs more study."

• Mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2023

For COVID-19 "I experienced a dry mouth with a strong sour taste that wouldn't go away. I got nauseated, and I felt like my stomach was burning. I almost vomited and had horrible nightmares. I stopped taking it after the first dose."

• Joe...
• July 22, 2022

For COVID-19 "Did nothing but make my COVID symptoms worse. They should not be giving this medicine to anyone. It’s all smoke and mirrors to make you believe it works and they saved you when, in reality, it does nothing at all but make you more sick. The horrible taste it leaves in your mouth is disgusting. It caused me severe kidney pain, heartburn, headaches 30 minutes after taking it. I took it for 3 out of the 5 days recommended, and it did nothing but make me throw up, bleed out of my rectum, and feel like I was dying. I can only hope the damage it did is not long-term. My wife and I both got COVID at the same time. She did not take Paxlovid and was better way faster than me with 1/4 of the symptoms."

• 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."

• kir...
• May 4, 2023

For COVID-19 "HORRIBLE. Resolved my head congestion but made everything worse, left an awful taste in my mouth that made me so nauseous that it wasn’t worth taking the medication anymore. I couldn’t sleep or focus on anything, that taste in my mouth was so bad."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2023

For COVID-19 "Whatever, you don't take it. I started taking it, and it made me feel worse 3 days in. Then, over a week later, I'm 20 times worse. I have had diarrhea for 2 days now. Feeling tired, and I'm in extreme pain, nauseous, 104-degree temps, headache, and just dying. Don't touch it."

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2023

For COVID-19 "I have a very bad dose of COVID. When I started these, I had a terrible taste in my mouth, almost like the aftertaste of tonic water, getting worse with each dose. I'm 2 days in, and if anything, I feel worse taking them, with stomach aches and nausea. They are apparently really hard on the liver and kidneys, and seeing as they have no long-term data and are just for emergency use, I have decided not to be a guinea pig with my internal organs. I binned them."

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

For COVID-19 "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 1 AM 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."

• gie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2022

For COVID-19 "I tried this because I have Sjögren's, which puts me at risk for severe COVID. I wish I could tolerate it. It gave me the worst sore throat ever, it 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. I also got it on the bedsheets, apparently having diarrhea in my sleep. Now concerned about what I can take now?"

• 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."

• Sto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2024

For COVID-19 "I was prescribed Paxlovid a day ago after being diagnosed with Covid. I was already nauseous from being sick, so I took my prescription ondansetron for nausea. It helped. I’m also on acid reflux medication, so the OTC Walmart brand helped. The metallic taste is here, but my tea is helping with that. I am on dose 3, and my symptoms have gotten better. I pray everyone gets better!!"

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

For COVID-19 "I was double boosted and came down with COVID. After three days of miserable symptoms, i.e., headache, achy muscles, sore throat, dry cough, and mild fever, I had my doctor prescribe the Paxlovid for me. Unfortunately, the side effects 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 retching 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 Paxlovid or simply I was beginning to resolve anyway. But after the dry heaves, there was no way I could take another dose."

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

For COVID-19 "I am an immunocompromised female in my 40s. I am fully vaccinated and boosted, but unfortunately, even as a vaccinated individual, COVID-19 still kicks my butt due to my immune issues. I have had COVID two 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 five days, for me, this medicine works well."

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

For COVID-19 "Went to the 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 a metallic taste, abdominal pain, nausea, 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 the trash. No wonder it was free. Would never pay for it. People need to be warned. One dose is all I took. Thank goodness."

• Exp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2022

For COVID-19 "I just came down with a nasty case of COVID and was only offered Paxlovid. I took 3 days' worth of the morning/evening combo packets (out of the 5-day treatment), and I cannot continue any longer due to the nasty side effects. Okay, you're super sick, but have a 99.9% survival rate. Now let's stack on diarrhea, restlessness, nausea, and a foul taste in the mouth that cannot be minimized even with Sour Patch Kids. Then you are supposed to give all credit to Pfizer when you get better. How would you really know that this drug helped you? Answer: You would never know. This drug is experimental and was rushed through at a record pace (1 year). I feel bad for the lab rats in Connecticut that had to endure these tests."

• Ska...
• August 12, 2022

For COVID-19 "I took four doses of Paxlovid. Felt much worse - nausea, vomiting, weakness. After two days, the effects of Paxlovid passed. Have been testing negative for COVID for 48 hours. 74 years old. Given my reaction, I will never take this again. I do not think that is the experience of most people."

• MCC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "Within an hour of my first dose, the metallic taste began. After my second dose is when diarrhea, nausea, and cramping began. Finally, I realized that the inside of my lips was breaking down (peeling and breaking apart). This is when my instincts said to stop. I’m healthy and young, and I’d rather take my chances with vitamins."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2024

For COVID-19 "I have been on Paxlovid for 3 days and have mostly had a decent experience. I do have a persistent bitter taste in my mouth that will not go away, but it's tolerable. I have also experienced bouts of weakness, nausea, and diarrhea. On this third day, blood came immediately after another bout of diarrhea. I'm not in any pain, but I'm a bit alarmed. I may stop taking this medication. I do feel much better now than I probably would have without it, but bloody stool is concerning and not something I've seen mentioned in other reviews for this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started taking Paxlovid on Day one of a positive PCR test - it did nothing for me after 8 doses (twice a day x 4 days). It actually made me feel worse: metallic taste in mouth, nausea, diarrhea, and still very congested. Will not take this anymore. My husband had the same experience with Paxlovid and quit taking it after 3 days. I think more research is needed as this drug is not meant for everyone and is not FDA approved - only on an emergency basis. I’d rather have steroids next time."