Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2022

For COVID-19 "Paxlovid did absolutely nothing to cure or even make my symptoms any better, they actually got worse for the first few days and lasted for over a week. Paxlovid gave me a horrible taste in my mouth and severe diarrhea, and it gave me the worst headache I have ever had in my life. This medicine is horrible. I wish I had never taken it and pray there are no long-term effects. I had severe stomach and kidney pains within 30 minutes of taking each dose until finally, after 4-5 doses, I discontinued taking it. I had uncontrollable sweating and an uncomfortable feeling shortly after each dose that lasted about 6 hours each time. Take it off the market because it does not work for COVID, which is really nothing more than a bad flu anyway."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2022

For COVID-19 "I had a strong headache, the lower back pain, then I got a fever. Went to a clinic, positive COVID test, prescribed Paxlovid. Took one dose and got severe diarrhea. I stopped the medication. Also, a strong metallic taste. My symptoms stopped within a day, and I felt great a day later. Maybe a smaller dose would have been better, I wish there was more information on dosing. I’ve never needed a full dose of any medications, even Tylenol or Aleve. My doctor joked that I am an alien."

• Ble...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2023

For COVID-19 "Tested positive for COVID last Wednesday. By Thursday, felt very bad with all the symptoms. Dr. prescribed Paxlovid due to high risk. By Saturday, felt completely better and Sunday tested negative. It has been 5 days and so far, so good. To me, this was a miracle drug that worked almost immediately. The taste was horrible and there’s nothing really that makes it better besides keeping yourself busy and drinking a lot of water. It caused me to have some reflux. I took over-the-counter Pepcid and that cured it. It also causes diarrhea. I managed this symptom with Align Extra Strength, which worked very well. The benefits far outweighed the side effects and I’m so thankful for this medication. Would take it again, even with the horrible taste!! Happy to be back at work with just a few days missed!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2023

For COVID-19 "I started taking Paxlovid 2 1/2 days ago in the evening. The pills are big but easy to take. The next day I felt better. No headache, fewer body aches, and less congestion/coughing. The downside was diarrhea every day so far. The bad taste was annoying, but gum and Hall's cough drops worked well. It’s tolerable. I’m staying with it because I’m 74 and don’t want the chance of going to the hospital. I’ve had a history of asthma as a child. I’ll weather the five days if it means getting better. Hopefully, I won’t get rebound symptoms. But that won’t mean staying positive for COVID. It just means the virus is finishing its course. Antivirals worked when I had shingles. It kept me from having a big rash. I only had one lesion. It was still bad! Get vaccinated! Good luck to all! Stay well."

• Pap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "I have AFib and moderately high BP. I was double vaxxed when Covid got me in July 2021 at age 72. Treated with Prednisone and Z Pak, and recovery went well. Got boosted in Jan 2022, and lo and behold, Covid hit me again with all the typical symptoms except no fever, diarrhea on 6/1/22. Paxlovid was prescribed, and I truly felt better within a few hours. No metallic taste for me. I still have 3 more doses to take, but am very happy."

• Fem...
• June 29, 2022

For COVID-19 "Started feeling sick on Friday. The COVID tests were negative. On Saturday, I tested positive. Since I had a bad reaction to the vaccine and my health problems, I got Paxlovid. Six hours after the first dose, I started feeling better. By the second day, my temperature got normal. As side effects, the taste is bad, very thirsty, some diarrhea, I feel very weak and lightheaded, my vision is affected. I have no cold symptoms since day 3 of medication. My body rejected the medication on day 4, but I still finished 3 pills in the morning and at night. Have pressure in chest, it gets worse if I try to walk. Oxygen, blood pressure, and bathroom usage are normal as of day 4. Very tired, more neurological. As of today, it really helped with COVID symptoms: body pain, chills. Hope no long side effects from this medication. Love the package."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2022

For COVID-19 "Tested positive Monday, went to the doctor Tuesday. Mostly had a low fever, chills, body aches, and a cough, so not too bad. Was prescribed Paxlovid, as well as an inhaler and anti-nausea medicine. I'm on day 2 of taking it and never in my life have I had such a disgusting taste in my mouth from a medication. Heck, I could even smell the nasty metallic smell as well. Nothing seems to help get rid of or mask it. I do feel a bit better and debating whether or not to continue taking such a foul, disgusting medicine. I'd rather take the regular form of amoxicillin that I took as a kid over this stuff any day. Pfizer should have waited to release this and not so quickly like they did. They also knew of the horrible side effects (i.e., nasty taste/smell, nausea, muscle pain, and diarrhea) yet didn't put it on the box."

• KKM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2022

For COVID-19 "I started my first dose of Paxlovid Tuesday after being diagnosed with COVID. My symptoms were fatigue and what felt like a bad sinus infection. I’ve taken a total of 4 doses of Paxlovid, and while some of my COVID symptoms have improved, I’m having side effects from the medicine, including a metallic taste in my mouth that I could deal with, but the pain in my stomach, diarrhea, nausea, and how bad overall it’s making me feel I can’t deal with. I think that 4th dose will be my last. I saw some others had stopped, I was curious how the rest of their COVID went."

• RR2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2024

For COVID-19 "Just took 4th dose (will update later): After 2nd dose, experienced more gas, little cramps, stomach upset, 3 diarrhea times. Started Culturelle probiotic (one that helps with occasional diarrhea) at noon after the 2nd dose. Then took another probiotic at midnight. Been also eating BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) and saltine crackers. I have also been sipping water because otherwise, it goes right through me. Despite the diarrhea stuff, I want to still take it. It is helping! Like others have said, for some, it is worth the diarrhea to not be coughing up a lung or having breathing problems. Will update on a different day. I started Paxlovid on the 3rd day of having COVID (first dose was an evening dose)."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2022

For COVID-19 "Halfway through day four (of a 5-day regimen), I feel so much better than I did when I started. There's no way to compare how I might have felt without it, but I credit the drug for helping a lot. I have side effects of mild diarrhea for two days, but quite manageable. Truly vile aftertaste the first two days, tainting/obscuring all other flavors, but that is almost entirely gone. Headache gone; cough subsiding. Put me in the pro-Pax column!"

• MJB...
• October 8, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am on day 3 of Paxlovid. I am on the fence, I considered stopping it, as it makes me feel badly, and the diarrhea and stomach upset are bad. As far as that terrible metallic taste, I have found that gargling with Listerine mouthwash really does a good job of getting rid of the metal taste temporarily. I wanted to share this simple solution. I like the blue cool mint flavor, it works well. I guess I will continue with the remaining days, however, it is not an easy drug to tolerate. But its potential for protection against serious issues must be considered top priority."

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

For COVID-19 "Paxlovid did knock my COVID symptoms down, but I did experience the nasty taste and burning diarrhea/bowel movements side effects while taking it. The burning was the worst side effect. For me, that started on the 3rd day. Cinnamon candy helped with the taste issue."

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

For COVID-19 "Started out with a small tickle in the back of my throat on a Friday, then 2 days later a very sore throat and occasional dry cough. I thought strep. On vacation, so my wife suggested getting tested on Wednesday, well, it was COVID. The doctor suggested this Paxlovid but said it wasn't required if I didn't want it, which I didn't. But since my wife works at a hospital and I'm not 'vaxxed', she suggested I get it. Took the 1st dose early afternoon. The pills are very large, so if you have trouble with large pills, this may not be for you. Sore throat was almost gone the next day, but I was still 'tired'. The bad taste was awful! Like others, I took Halls or Ricola to mask the taste. Then there was the gas and surprise diarrhea over the next couple of days. Luckily we went home, but the trips to the bathroom were painful and really stirred up my hemorrhoids. On my last day now, thankfully! Not sure if it really helped. Don't think I'll repeat this if I ever get the COVID-19 again."

• Sid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2023

For COVID-19 "From day one, nausea and severe diarrhea, stomach pains after taking dose. Also, not sure why my doses had 6 pills a day, 3 in the morning and 3 at night, and other Paxlovid boxes had only 4 a day, 2 in the morning and 2 at night. Either way, the treatment seems worse than the COVID."

• Sav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2023

For COVID-19 "Had a positive test this week on Tuesday. Felt like I had been run over by a Mack truck. Everything hurt. Coughing and sneezing galore. Woke up on Wednesday with streaks of blood in the mucus I was coughing up. The clinic prescribed a normal dose of Paxlovid because I am high risk. Yes, this medicine leaves a foul taste in your mouth, but it is worth it. I am convinced I would have been hospitalized if I had not taken it. I started feeling better after two doses. Aside from the taste, I have a queasy stomach, loose bowels, hot flashes, insomnia, and fatigue as side effects. Hard to say if some of this could be from Covid or Paxlovid. Very grateful that this drug was available to my husband and me."

• CDT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2023

For COVID-19 "I read a lot of reviews. I started 3 days ago. It was by far the roughest the first, second, and third doses. I drank a lot of water and sucked on Hall’s cough drops. The metallic taste is less prominent after the third dose and gets better after each proceeding dose. I do have the runs each morning after dosing, did get night sweats once each night. I do have Crohn’s Disease, so I was expecting something. I had to take a drug years ago for 9 months that gave me a metallic taste, so I knew what to expect. Other than that, Paxlovid was great. After the third dose, no fever, and the sinuses are clearing up. I would take it again."

• 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
• March 11, 2023

For COVID-19 "I was prescribed Paxlovid after two days after testing positive and experiencing chest tightness. My symptoms from fever subsided, but the stomach issues caused explosive diarrhea and vomiting. I attempted to go back on day six and was unable since I was so uncomfortable being away from a toilet. The acid taste in my mouth was awful, I am glad there was a suggestion for gum or mints, but I felt I constantly had to have water or something to drink. This medicine (or COVID) decreased my appetite and changed the flavor of all foods due to the taste it left in my mouth. I woke up often due to the urge to vomit because the taste was so horrendous. Heavy-duty medicine, heavy-duty side effects."

• Ret...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2022

For COVID-19 "Fully vaxed and boosted, at age 72, I was a prime candidate to take Paxlovid for Omicron breakthrough illness, as I also have Type 2 diabetes, kidney, liver, and lung dysfunction. Started this medication on day 3 of my illness. Worried after reading about the awful taste. As an RN, I knew that this was a systemic, body-wide side effect of the drug, so my saliva would carry it 24/7. To me, it tasted like drinking OJ right after brushing your teeth. Nasty, right? What helped was increasing my fluid intake, brushing my teeth frequently, sucking on lemon drops. It was strongest about an hour after taking each 3-pill dose and tended to weaken after 6-7 hours. Once the 5-day regimen was completed, the taste was gone in 12 hours. I would take it again, as I felt noticeably better within 24 hours, and it really helped by keeping me out of the hospital. One fun fact: I could eat normally, without bitter/metallic taste spoiling my meals. Lactaid tablets prevented diarrhea from lactose in this med, FYI."

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2022

For COVID-19 "I am on the 4th day of taking Paxlovid after having tested positive for Covid. I had the acrid aftertaste others had mentioned. I also went from having diarrhea after the first dose to having clay-colored bowel movements. Additionally, after the 3rd day, it seemed to have really aggravated my hemorrhoids, as any defecation felt like a burning fire. With respect to Covid symptoms and how it made me feel, I can say I felt much better after the first day's dosage."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2022

For COVID-19 "Had to stop due to severe diarrhea. I actually felt better once I went off it. Not a good experience for me. I also had that metallic taste and sleep anxiety. The doctor said the sleeplessness was from COVID, but I’m thinking it was the Paxlovid."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2022

For COVID-19 "I wrote a brief review today after taking just the first dose. I've now taken the second dose, and this stuff is amazing. I tested positive twice (am & pm) about three days ago. Headache, sore throat, fever from 98.4 to 99.9, runny nose, sneezing, full body aches but more so in joints. Very fatigued. I have two major cancers, thus the immunocompromised condition. I cleared the use of this with my oncologist, then had my primary care MD write the Rx. Before I even took the second dose, headache & sore throat were gone, as were some of the aches. Still coughing & blowing my proboscis, but a great improvement in just this short time. I've had to supplement with 25 mg of diphenhydramine and 500 mg of acetaminophen every four hours. Along with my cancers, I have a list of other medical issues, so far no reactions to my meds for those. But I'm having minor side effects with constipation and diarrhea. The absolute worst thing is the aftertaste. Nothing takes it away, from licorice to chili."

• 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."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

For COVID-19 "I got Paxlovid for my COVID, and it worked great. Weird taste in my mouth from the pills. Had major diarrhea one day. I tested negative after finishing the prescription and felt great for about four days. Then I got the rebound effect and got the cold back and tested positive again. Luckily, I only had the cold symptoms and no other symptoms. It lasted about three days, and I tested negative on the fourth day. Not sure if I will take this again because of the rebound."

• Rac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2022

For COVID-19 "I tested positive via a home test following some flu symptoms. I called my doctor and nurse at the Guthrie/Robert Packer Hospital immediately, and within a few hours, my pharmacist called from our Rite Aid and had my Paxlovid ready to be picked up. I have heart disease and diabetes and am 73 years old. I feel the quickness of my health care pros (the doctor and nurse) to first be able to secure the Paxlovid and then the Rite Aid pharmacist making sure she got a hold of me assisted in my current good state of health. Yes, I had the metallic taste and just a minor stint of diarrhea, but the first dose resulted in my being able to cough up the chest congestion and gave me an overall feeling that the meds were working and I'd get better. Fever was minor. Thank you, Paxlovid, my doctor and nurse, and Rite Aid pharmacy. Imagine my surprise when I got a call not long after my test was positive at home saying, 'Hello, I see you have Covid. I have your prescription here for you.'"