Paxlovid User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• SM1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2023

For COVID-19 "My husband and I both tested positive for COVID. He took the renal dose, and I took the regular dose of Paxlovid. He had minimal symptoms, and I felt very sick before taking the med. After about 3 doses, we felt great. After the last dose, we tested negative for COVID. The only side effect we experienced was the metallic taste, which wasn't nearly as bad as we expected. About 3 days after my last dose, I began having COVID symptoms again, so we retested. We both again tested positive (my husband had no symptoms) and are back to square one with 5 more days of quarantine, etc. My rebound symptoms were no less severe than I had initially. Had I known then what I know now, I would not have taken Paxlovid and would not have had to endure COVID recovery twice, plus we wouldn't have had to miss spending Easter with our grandchildren. From my experience, I would not recommend Paxlovid, and I will never take it again unless there is an adjustment in either the dosage or the length of treatment time."

• jtu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2023

For COVID-19 "38, not vaxxed, 3rd time with COVID. Symptoms started of what appeared to be a sinus infection Saturday. By Sunday, I had a sore throat on top of sinus issues. Tuesday, I tested positive and was prescribed Paxlovid. I started it right away and began noticing side effects: the nasty taste in my mouth and diarrhea. After the second dose, after finally falling asleep, I woke up drenched in sweat, with a terrible headache and my heart racing. My sore throat was relieved for the most part, but all of the other sinus-related congestion symptoms were still there. I've now had 3 doses. I've still got a mild cough, nasal congestion, ear pain (pressure from being congested), and my teeth hurt, usually a sign that I have a sinus infection. I just took my fourth dose. I don't know how much more I can take of this because every time I go to the bathroom, I have severe diarrhea."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2022

For COVID-19 "I'm three shots and boosted. Second day of Paxlovid. I have the nasty aftertaste, but nothing else. I seem to be getting better. If all I get is the aftertaste, then I'm satisfied with this medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

For COVID-19 "At first, I was so pleased. By day 5, all my symptoms were gone, and I felt good, and my energy was back. However, 5 days later, I woke up with a scratchy throat, runny nose, and a slight cough. I tested positive again … my coughing at night is waking me quite a bit. 3 days … I’m still coughing and running a low-grade fever. I wonder why I even bothered with this drug, because I feel I’m right back where I started."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2023

For COVID-19 "I wasn't really aware I had Covid, but once I'd tested positive, the doctor recommended Paxlovid as I have reduced kidney function. After the first dose, I felt very nauseous but persevered for 2 more days until finally the morning dose caused me to throw up. I'd already tested negative twice, so on my doctor's advice, I stopped the Paxlovid. Overall, it made me feel so unwell. I think that if I get Covid again, I'll just stick it out without antivirals."

• vjo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2023

For COVID-19 "I am 71 years old, had all of my vaccines and boosters. I contracted COVID Christmas Eve at a house gathering. The first day of my symptoms on Dec. 30, I called my doc, and she prescribed Paxlovid. I felt better while taking it; however, after the treatment ended, I had a COVID rebound. I went to my local urgent care (rural area here), and she said this pill does not do well for some folk. Is it approved by the FDA?"

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2022

For COVID-19 "Excellent results after 48 hours. No more coughing, fever, fatigue, or lung damage. Reported taste effect was not bad at all. I got suddenly euphoric, then quickly very light-headed just after dose 2, sat down quickly. Start taking Day 1 and COVID won't go to your lungs - avoid lung damage (I got some 'cause I started Day 3). Do NOT make the mistake of thinking you have a mild case because Day 1 and 3 are mild!!!!! I made this mistake and paid the price in two seriously painful and dangerous nights, in addition to a huge ER bill!!! The drug is a modern miracle."

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2023

For COVID-19 "I believe Paxlovid has helped tremendously with the symptoms of COVID-19. I began experiencing on Day 1: moderate sinus congestion and moderate headache, low-grade fever, slightly elevated resting heart rate. Day 2: severe sinus congestion, severe headache, high fever, elevated and irregular resting heart rate, severe sore throat, minor cough, moderate body/muscle aches/pains. Began OTC cold/flu treatments: Day/Night Mucinex formulas, Nyquil PM, Sinex Severe, acetaminophen/ibuprofen, cough drops. Day 3: all of Day 2's symptoms intensified, OTC meds not doing a thing... took COVID-19 test, indicated positive. Contacted PCP, advised of situation, was advised to continue OTC meds to treat the symptoms I was experiencing but also advised to take a prescription of Paxlovid, 3 pills every 12 hours for 5 days. An hour after my FIRST DOSE, my fever broke, my resting heart rate began decreasing. I actually fell asleep and awoke with no headache or fever, and all symptoms have been dissipating."

• 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."

• 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."

• Reg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2022

For COVID-19 "I have taken 3.5 days of this med. The metallic taste in my mouth is awful. I am also burping a lot. I started this at the very beginning of my COVID symptoms. It has helped. I have had minimal COVID symptoms. I wonder how I will feel after the meds are done."

• Lyn...
• July 4, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am a very healthy 80-year-old. Not overweight, exercise, and triple vax'd. Took Paxlovid on day two of COVID symptoms. Taste was disgusting but accepted the need for this. Cough subsided. Day three, vomited and spat up a dark brown mucus. Stopped the medication after 3 days. Still weak and tired, but no COVID symptoms. Pale stools are persisting, so I believe I have experienced some form of liver damage from this medication. Unless you really need it, I definitely would not take the drug."

• Nov...
• 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."

• The...
• 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!"

• pap...
• 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."

• Ger...
• 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!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am 76 years old, history of acute bronchitis, otherwise very healthy and fit. On day one of obtaining a positive COVID test and feeling slightly ill, I was prescribed Paxlovid by the emergency room physician who refused to provide monoclonal antibodies for me as I requested. He said the hospital was saving them for acute patients. I was, instead, given Paxlovid. Due to my 5'2", 118 lb size, I was given a lesser dose than usual for most patients. I had horrible burning and a metallic taste in my mouth, throat, and it traveled down my esophagus into my stomach. My stomach burned as I continued taking it for 4 doses - then had to stop as it was making me more sick than the COVID virus. I did not complete the last dose. I highly recommend that this horrible drug be taken off the market. Everyone I have spoken to about Paxlovid had intense side effects, and many have had a recurrence of COVID after stopping the drug. Get it off the market!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2024

For COVID-19 "For COVID-19, 'I tested positive for COVID three days ago. I had a slight fever, sore throat, headache, and lots of head congestion. I lost my sense of smell and taste. It wasn't fun. As soon as I saw the test results, I reached out to my primary care doctor, who prescribed Paxlovid for me. I would say within a day, I could feel a difference. The symptoms definitely lessened each day. I had some side effects, like diarrhea and a bad taste in my mouth. It really worked, and after 3 days of meds, I was already testing negative. Just know that any medication side effects, even some of the worst ones, are still better than a severe bout of COVID."

• dmz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2023

For COVID-19 "Tested positive on Christmas day, (yay me) called my dr's office and got the Rx for Paxlovid same day. Started 1st dose that night. I will say the metallic taste in my mouth starts about an hour after taking the medication and goes away shortly before it's due again. Nothing a cough drop doesn't fix. I am double vaxxed and double boosted. I haven't experienced the nausea that some people have said they experience, but I am having very bad gas. After taking the first dose, the following day I felt a lot better and each day that passes, I feel better and better."

• use...
• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2023

For COVID-19 "I tested positive on 2/7, began taking Paxlovid on 2/8. The stomach pain and severe diarrhea almost made me head to the emergency room. I stuck it out, continued taking the full course. I tested negative on 2/14. I woke up feeling terrible on 2/18 only to test positive again! I would not take Paxlovid again due to the severe side effects I experienced, only to get COVID again."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2023

For COVID-19 "My husband, who has Alzheimer’s, and I both tested positive and were given Paxlovid. This drug completely “flipped” him after two doses. He did not know what he was doing and made absolutely no sense. It was a nightmare and it took over a week of him not taking it to get back to “his normal.” As for me, my brain was totally blank. I couldn’t concentrate or think clearly. I was advised by a medical professional that this was not FDA-approved and the side effects are still being discovered. They suggested throwing it away and stopping taking it. I do not recommend it to anyone!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started taking Paxlovid. The first dose was a breeze, although my ears were burning internally. After taking the second dose, the burning feeling intensified, and there was a strong metallic taste in my mouth. I’m grateful to have been offered this drug but worried about aftereffects."

• tri...
• 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!"