Skip to main content

Paxlovid Dosage

Generic name: NIRMATRELVIR 150mg; RITONAVIR 100mg
Dosage form: tablets
Drug class: Antiviral combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 7, 2023.

Important Dosage and Administration Information for Emergency Use of PAXLOVID

PAXLOVID is nirmatrelvir tablets co-packaged with ritonavir tablets. There are two different dose packs available:

PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir; ritonavir) co-packaged for oral use 300 mg;100 mg [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir; ritonavir) co-packaged for oral use 150 mg;100 mg for patients with moderate renal impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

Nirmatrelvir must be co-administered with ritonavir. Failure to correctly co-administer nirmatrelvir with ritonavir may result in plasma levels of nirmatrelvir that are insufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

Prescriptions should specify the numeric dose of each active ingredient within PAXLOVID [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3)]. Completion of the full 5-day treatment course and continued isolation in accordance with public health recommendations are important to maximize viral clearance and minimize transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

The 5-day treatment course of PAXLOVID should be initiated as soon as possible after a diagnosis of COVID-19 has been made, and within 5 days of symptom onset even if baseline COVID-19 symptoms are mild. Should a patient require hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19 after starting treatment with PAXLOVID, the patient should complete the full 5-day treatment course per the healthcare provider's discretion.

If the patient misses a dose of PAXLOVID within 8 hours of the time it is usually taken, the patient should take it as soon as possible and resume the normal dosing schedule. If the patient misses a dose by more than 8 hours, the patient should not take the missed dose and instead take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. The patient should not double the dose to make up for a missed dose.

PAXLOVID (both nirmatrelvir and ritonavir tablets) can be taken with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed, broken, or crushed.

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage for PAXLOVID is 300 mg nirmatrelvir (two 150 mg tablets) with 100 mg ritonavir (one 100 mg tablet) with all 3 tablets taken together orally twice daily for 5 days.

Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment

No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with mild renal impairment (eGFR ≥60 to <90 mL/min).

In patients with moderate renal impairment (eGFR ≥30 to <60 mL/min), the dosage of PAXLOVID is 150 mg nirmatrelvir (one 150 mg tablet) and 100 mg ritonavir (one 100 mg tablet) with both tablets taken together twice daily for 5 days [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16)]. Prescriptions should specify the numeric dose of each active ingredient within PAXLOVID. Providers should counsel patients about renal dosing instructions [see Patient Counseling Information (17)].

PAXLOVID is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min) until more data are available; the appropriate dosage for patients with severe renal impairment has not been determined [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Use in Patients with Hepatic Impairment

No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with mild (Child-Pugh Class A) or moderate (Child-Pugh Class B) hepatic impairment. No pharmacokinetic or safety data are available regarding the use of nirmatrelvir or ritonavir in subjects with severe (Child-Pugh Class C) hepatic impairment; therefore, PAXLOVID is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.