Paxlovid User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Debmg
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "My doctor prescribed Paxlovid, although my symptoms are relatively mild, due to my age (70). I took the first dose at night and had that same awful taste in my mouth that others have described here. I even got up at 3 AM to brush my teeth, to no avail. Oddly enough, the major Covid symptom I have is loss of taste. So lucky me - the one thing I can taste is this terrible medication. I took the second dose this morning, and have decided I will not be taking any more. I would rather have a stuffy nose a few more days than live with this gross taste. I cannot wait for it to wear off."

• Theresa
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2023

For COVID-19 "A very strange but good thing happened to me as a result of taking Paxlovid. A couple of days after the treatment, I noticed my heartburn was gone. I would usually get a sharp burning pain in my abdomen 1 to 2 hours after eating, no matter what I ate. Imagine my surprise when this long-term condition disappeared. I began to notice it within a couple of days after taking a week's worth of Paxlovid. I have had heartburn for years and was on Prilosec for quite a while but had to stop due to a clash with a new medication I was on, so for the last 5 years, I have been using chewable antacids and was on those when I got Covid. I have tried to research to see if Paxlovid would work for a digestive tract virus but found nothing. I suspect there was something viral about my heartburn or ulcer or another malady, and the antiviral for Covid killed it. That was this last August 2023; 3 months have passed, and the heartburn is still gone!"

• Novem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2023

For COVID-19 "I would rate this a 10 for the fact that my symptoms went away so quickly, but it did have two minor side effects, so I gave it a 9. One of the two side effects was slight nausea, but lots of water, occasional ginger ale, and Jolly Ranchers helped with that. The water, ginger ale, and Jolly Ranchers also helped with the other most common side effect, which was the 'paxlovid mouth'. To me, it wasn’t so much a metallic taste but more like a very dry mouth where you also accidentally bit into a penicillin pill and got that weird, almost sulphuric taste. It’s pretty gross but was worth dealing with to not have a life-threatening illness or long Covid symptoms, and the taste went away after about 2 days of completing the regimen. I highly recommend taking this if you can."

• Ottol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2022

For COVID-19 "I tested positive for Covid April 15. If Paxlovid is advised for your context, they say start ASAP after symptoms and positive test result, but not later than 5-7 days from onset. I did a CVS E-Clinic. We had to make calls to find a pharmacy that had it in stock. Google search can also help. I am finishing day 1 of Paxlovid and have a positive experience. I am not in optimal health at 64, but am double vaccinated and boosted. My symptoms were: heavy congestion to require mouth breathing, some throat discomfort and cough, sore top of head on right and right neck lymph nodes, an acute headache for two days. I took Advil until I realized I could add back in coffee. That took the headache away and I don't need the coffee while recovering. No diarrhea and no loss of taste. 1 hr after dose, my saliva is bitter for hours. I got used to it, and feel much better. Am prioritizing bed rest, hydration, diaphragm breathing, nutritious food and asking for help as needed."

• Matt
• 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 Dr 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."

• Exper...
• 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 can not continue any longer due to the nasty side affects. Okay, your super sick but have a 99.9% survival rate. Now lets stack on diarrhea, restlessness, nausea and a foul taste in the mouth that can not 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"

• Kitty
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2023

For COVID-19 "Completely vaccinated and boosted. Became symptomatic and tested positive. Temperature shot up to 102.5 with regular doses of ibuprofen. Horrible sore throat, intense coughing. Temperature stayed there for 3 days until I got Paxlovid. One dose brought my temperature down to 99.6... sore throat gone! MAGIC! I'll take the metallic taste. Easy trade-off for me!"

• enester
• 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."

• Sick...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2022

For COVID-19 "My first day of covid symptoms began at 2 am with headache, body aches. Intensity of these symptoms, and new symptoms, increased rapidly. Same day I was tested and prescribed Pax. Tiny improvement next day and then more symptoms, daily “revolving” symptoms, very sick. Only noticeable side effect is the metallic taste. So back to Doc to hear “it doesn’t always work”. (He suggests monoclonal antibodies infusion.) So a little research and I find this info on the Yale med school website: “For high-risk unvaccinated persons, Paxlovid is still the most effective antiviral therapy when started within five days of symptom onset,” Dr. David Boulware, an infectious disease doctor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, tweetedTuesday night. “But if vaccinated (or prior infection), then benefit is likely minimal.” Unvaccinated!"

• user
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2023

For COVID-19 "My side effects are diarrhea, loss of taste, although it gives a horrible metallic taste in your throat. I find keeping the mouthwash close by after taking a dose helpful. Second day taking it, no more fever, body aches went away, and feeling better altogether."

• Justa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2022

For COVID-19 "Horrible. I quit taking it after the 1st day due to horrible vomiting an hour after taking with each dose. It made me feel worse. I am back to alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Praying I get better soon."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2023

For COVID-19 "Just finished the full 5-day course of treatment. Took a good 48 hours before I could feel any positive effect, and by day 4, I was back to normal. I had a few sleepless nights during treatment, but can't say for sure if the medication caused them. The worst side effect for me was the relentless metallic taste. Other than that, I was impressed with how well it worked for me."

• Skett...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2022

For COVID-19 "LOTS OF INTERACTIONS! Doc called in Paxlovid for me after two days severe symptoms. Hydroxyzine seems to be the big culprit for me, ironically I take it for anxiety. 36 hour panic attacks with terror and that awful metallic taste in every drop of saliva. I'm boosted and in retrospect had no reason to take this med. The way it metabolizes inhibits enzymes that are common in many meds - if you have multiple prescriptions sit down and figure out if this is safe with your pharmacist BEFORE you need it. I wish I had never taken it but the time crunch of starting it within first five days was real. I quit after three doses. I wasn't able to feel relief from the side effects for almost 48hours. Just awful."

• Gerry
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2023

For COVID-19 "Took Paxlovid at the end of day one. COVID was causing serious symptoms—high pulse, increased blood pressure, bloating, mild nausea, congestion, sore throat, and fever (100). Surprisingly, after taking one dose of Paxlovid, I slept soundly all night and woke up free of the above symptoms except for a lingering milder sore throat. It's only day two, but Paxlovid is working effectively!"

• Max
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am 55 with lupus, asthma and high blood pressure. My biggest fear has been getting Covid because of my pre-existing conditions and the fact that I have had pneumonia several times over the past six years. I tested positive for Covid 8 days ago and by day two I had a 102 fever and was in the worst pain of my life. The Dr. in the ER prescribed Paxlovid and I believe it saved my life. Yes the nasty mouth taste is gross but I’ll take it 100 times over compared to how incredibly sick I was. Paxlovid truly works and thank God for that."

• llareau
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2023

For COVID-19 "I took Plaxlovid, and it made my mouth taste horrible. It fried my throat so badly that I thought I needed to go to the hospital. Gargling with warm salt water made the burning sensation a little more tolerable. However, the burning diarrhea was incredibly terrible, and it caused me to start bleeding. That's when I decided enough was enough and called my doctor. I was prescribed Epak to help alleviate the symptoms."

• trist...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2023

For COVID-19 "I tested for COVID-19 2 days before I was prescribed this medicine. And yes, the taste was not good. The aftertaste was like metal, and I was not having an appetite. But after a few days, I swear by this medication. I weighed 172 pounds 2 weeks ago. Now I weigh myself this morning without clothes, I was at 159.2 pounds, so this medicine does make you not feel like eating and suppresses my appetite during this time. I went to the restroom often and slept most of the days in bed. Still, my morning breakfast was a slice of toasted bread and butter, lots of water, and 3 cups of tea. That's basically all I ate and drank for the first 3 days. I think this helped a lot with the weight loss. But anyhow, I am grateful for this medication, metal taste or not. I feel better than before because now I am on my last dose today and still do not feel hungry and tired anymore, but I have more energy and alertness. My goal is to get better and the weight loss along the way, that's a bonus!"

• Maryl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2022

For COVID-19 "4 vaccination. Slight sore throat. Positive test. Started Paxlovid same day. Felt like getting a cold. Tired. Went to bed early. Woke up middle of night. All better. No fever. 4 days later tested negative. Only downside is awful taste."

• Shawn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

For COVID-19 "I started the first dose on a night when I was feeling particularly bad. I was on my third night with a sore throat and a temperature of 102.3-I was having auditory hallucinations. The bad taste was almost immediate but I tolerated it. I thought the first dose was ok and had no qualms about the second one. That’s when I started noticing discomfort. Firstly, my sore throat. I couldn’t talk or swallow-the drug made it intolerable. I was also dizzy and I had a major headache. I detected a strange sensation on my lips and in my throat but I went ahead with the third dose. Mistake! I had some dexamethasone so I got It ready for an allergy. Didn’t need it. The worst part was that it sent me into a hypertensive crisis—I normally don’t have hypertension. My BP was 170/110, I was retching, and my head felt like exploding. Thankfully, I happened to have a prescription for a beta blocker on hand. Then I had explosive diarrhea. Never again."

• papa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2023

For COVID-19 "Just finished day 3, and yes, the metallic taste is unpleasant and yes, my rectum burns a bit today as I drop a little poop and for a few minutes after. HOWEVER, I am not a big advocate of pharmaceuticals normally other than antibiotics, yet I would take Paxlovid all over again. In that, I have leukemia, lymphoma, Sjogren's autoimmune disorder, and diabetes, and I am obese at 64. Although I managed to dodge COVID for 3 years, I came down with it 6 days ago, and would most likely have ended up in the hospital or dead without the Paxlovid. So, I fully endorse it. I don't do flu vaccines, though I did have the COVID vaccines plus two boosters, the second booster being bivalent. However, I did not have the latest COVID vaccine, so I credit Paxlovid and Tussin DM and lots of hydration with potentially saving my life. And when I could feel the COVID trying to get into my lungs, with my starting to wheeze twice in the last couple of days, the Paxlovid and Tussin DM stopped it in its tracks. Thanks, Pfizer."

• Candib
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2023

For COVID-19 "Omg the taste is no joke. Started 30 minutes after first dose. All I can smell is rotten milk and garbage and I can’t eat anything at all because the taste so bad. I’m already severely underweight so if the taste doesn’t go away soon I’m in trouble. Never again will I take this medication."

• kira
• 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 so that it wasn’t worth taking the medication anymore. I couldn’t sleep or focus on anything that taste my month was so bad."

• Craig...
• 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 1AM 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."

• Rachel
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2022

For COVID-19 "It’s my 3rd bout with Covid, 1st time using Paxlovid. After first dose on day 4 of sickness, had diarrhea with burning and stinging of rectum. Still feeling effects the next day after just one dose. Am ceasing use of medication and will recover without it like my first 2 bouts of Covid. Was already feeling better on day 4 but Dr gave prescription anyway, just in case. Won’t be taking another dose."

• giele
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2022

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