Paxlovid and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2023

For COVID-19 "My symptoms started with a headache and low energy. Day 2 was a severe sore throat, making it almost impossible to speak. The more I talked, the more I coughed, the more it hurt - a vicious cycle. The antigen test result was negative. On day 5, it was so bad I went to an urgent care facility convinced I had strep throat. Wrong - I was positive for Covid for the third time. I started Paxlovid the next day. Today is my 5th and last day. The terrible taste is quite bothersome and goes along with nausea. I have yet to find anything to relieve it. The fever/chills mostly ended by day 8, and I have had only 2 bouts of diarrhea, which is tolerable. My sore throat is slowly improving, but the sinus drainage causes frequent bouts of choking/coughing/gagging - irritating my throat more. Sleeping is not the best and contributes to fatigue. All things considered, I cannot evaluate this drug's effectiveness, positive or negative. How do I know how severe my case would or would not have been?"

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

For COVID-19 "52-year-old woman, migraines, systemic lupus, IBS, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Unvaccinated due to severe reactions to vaccines. Have isolated the last 2 and a half years, wear N95 when I must go out. Husband vaccinated, no third booster, caught COVID and infected me. Hubby felt exhausted for a day and then body fatigue for a few days. On my third day of feeling extreme fatigue, lethargic, tight chest, mild congestion, sore throat, and small cough, tested positive. Telemed with my doctor, scripted Paxlovid, and started that night. Nasty metallic taste started within an hour along with extreme nausea and anxiety. Unable to eat solids. Taking hydroxyzine for anxiety. Butterscotch pudding and cherry Ludens helped. By the end of the second day on Paxlovid, extreme sore throat finally stopped. Still seriously nauseated, fatigued, and unable to care for myself. Third day, burning bloody diarrhea started. Started Imodium. On the last day of Paxlovid, might skip last dosage due to nausea and intense GI upset. Kept me out of the hospital, at least."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2022

For COVID-19 "High blood pressure, dizziness, headache (fleeting), gout in the big toe and have never had, plus diet is very low in purines. Severe shoulder pain, heart pounding, and unstable gait. Nausea, but no vomiting. Since this could all be coincidental, I don't know if Paxlovid had anything to do with these manifestations. I was encouraged to take it due to asthma. I react very differently to most drugs and do not take any, even though I am almost 79. It seemed to clear mucus from lungs, even though I wasn't aware it was there. Asthma mucus is different because I know it is there. Thanks to very clean living (no drugs), I haven't had an attack for 9 years."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2022

For COVID-19 "I started feeling better the next day. I got some of my energy back, but not completely enough to be myself. It was an improvement! Still nauseous and really can’t eat, oooh, and the nasty bitter taste in my mouth that won’t go away! I think that’s why I’m nauseous and can’t eat that awful taste in my mouth! Nothing takes it away! But grateful that the medication is there and does seem to work."

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

For COVID-19 "Vaccinated Spring 2020 with one shot J&J. Tested positive for Covid summer 2022 after the entire household (90 yo mother and husband) had tested positive. All of us had to be seen by a medical professional in person (no teledoc, etc.) because blood needs to be drawn and liver/kidney values checked before they will dispense Paxlovid (if you have recent blood work on file, you may be able to avoid this). We were all prescribed Paxlovid; mother at a modified dose and husband and I at full doses. My experience: exhaustion and chills alternating with sweating throughout the first 24 hours. Then just a feeling of blah, chest felt “heavy”, minor coughing. I’m on my last day of Paxlovid. Has some nausea, diarrhea, but, by far the worst thing I had to endure was the never-ending metallic taste in the back of my mouth. Absolutely horrendous. Husband had the same metallic taste too. If I end up with a rebound infection that’s not severe, I won’t take Paxlovid again."

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

For COVID-19 "After taking my first dose of 100 mg Paxlovid (3 large pills a dose) for COVID symptoms, I had an awful metallic or bitter taste in my mouth and an acid reflux sensation that lasted for hours-brushed teeth, used mouth rinse, ate mints, and nothing worked. Took the second dose and it started up again, made me nauseous from the taste and I threw up. Stopped taking it since I was on the bathroom floor feeling like a chemotherapy patient. I did lose most of my taste after the first dose, taste is slightly returning. Stomach has felt ill since the first dose. Maybe it got rid of my sneezing."

• Pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2025

For COVID-19 "COVID symptoms quickly became dire, and I was close to death. I got Paxlovid on day 2.5, and after one dose, the feelings of death were gone. But other severe COVID symptoms remained, such as a horrible, painful throat, tremendous congestion and nose blowing, constant coughing, and weakness. I have strong Paxlovid side effects like nausea and bad diarrhea. But I know Paxlovid already saved my life with no emergency care. So I'll continue for 5 days."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2023

For COVID-19 "I was given Paxlovid on the third day of developing COVID symptoms. It is not a very pleasant experience. Terrible taste in my mouth, diarrhea, nausea, and an overall feeling of malaise. I am 66 years old and on treatment for breast cancer. I was tempted to stop taking it because of the horrible side effects but thought about my children and grandchildren, so I continued taking it. It has been 7 days since I completed taking Paxlovid. I hope I don't get rebound COVID. If I do get rebound COVID and I had to take it again, I would do it. My family is worth whatever discomfort it may cause."

• TMC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2022

For COVID-19 "A Wednesday I started sneezing and having fatigue, Thursday coughing and nausea and tested negative that night. Friday all of my symptoms were worse and in addition I started fainting, vomiting and developing fevers and at an urgent care I tested positive Friday. Made an appointment the next Monday with my doctor who had me start Paxlovid for my risk. In the first 30 minutes of the first dose I had a fuming taste in my mouth that was coming out of my throat consistently. The taste would fluctuate from bad to worse during the 5-day dosage. I had body aches and diarrhea the first 2 to 3 hours after each dose. I had a headache twice while taking it. All of my other initial Covid symptoms except nausea went away while I was on Paxlovid. I could not eat very well due to loss of taste while taking. Two days after completing the dosage I am slowly tasting again. I started mildly coughing and having congestion after completing. Just knowing the potential of hospitalization it was worth its symptoms to me."

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

For COVID-19 "My husband and I tested positive on May 31-started Paxlovid that morning. He is 68 years old with COPD and atrial fib. Vaccinated, booster x1. I’m 60, no health issues. Not vaccinated…previous anaphylaxis. We had symptoms 2 days prior-sore throat, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, fever, cough, etc. Within an hour of the first dose, both of us got the nasty taste-unlike anything we’ve ever experienced-relentless with almost constant nausea. After one day of treatment, sore throat gone! Just finished day two. Fever has been 99-100, all symptoms have improved. Both of us had Covid January 2020. Put us in bed for weeks and I didn’t work for a month. Don’t want to go through that again so we’re counting the days until this treatment is finished and hopeful the nasty taste and nausea will subside as quickly as they came on. Eating a couple of hours before taking this med gets something in my stomach with not as much struggle with taste and nausea. In the end, hope it’s worth it."

• Net...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2022

For COVID-19 "My doctor prescribed Paxlovid for COVID because of my age making me a higher risk of hospitalization. I soon developed the metallic mouth taste and after three days a feeling of nausea. As my symptoms have now lessened, I won't take this medication anymore because of the nausea."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2023

For COVID-19 "I tested positive for COVID and started on Paxlovid the next day at my doctor's urging. I am 75, in good health, have never had COVID, have been vaccinated once, and have had one booster. I guess you would say my COVID symptoms were fairly mild; I had nasal congestion and intermittent chills and achiness. I did not have any chest congestion or cough or fever to speak of. I never sleep well when I have a stuffy nose, so that was keeping me up a bit. After my first Paxlovid dose, my nasal congestion began to clear up, and after the second dose, my chills abated. But look out! That night I did not sleep a wink! On top of the disgusting taste in my mouth, I had a horrible stomach ache and nausea which kept me from falling asleep. I stopped taking that wretched medicine there and then, and that was two days ago. I am symptom-free now, except for the persistent nausea caused by this horrid Paxlovid, which no one in their right mind should ever consider taking. It's the flu, guys!"

• Ugh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2023

For COVID-19 "The medicine made me sick to the stomach, threw up, I was so dehydrated, and it made me sleep a lot."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2022

For COVID-19 "I've taken two doses so far. Started feeling better after the first dose. Less aches and fever. Side effects are an awful bitter taste in my mouth and nausea."

• 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."