Paxlovid Dosage
Generic name: NIRMATRELVIR 150mg; RITONAVIR 100mg
Dosage form: tablets
Drug class: Antiviral combinations
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 6, 2023.
Dosage for Emergency Use of PAXLOVID
PAXLOVID is nirmatrelvir tablets co-packaged with ritonavir tablets.
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.
The dosage for PAXLOVID is 300 mg nirmatrelvir (two 150 mg tablets) with 100 mg ritonavir (one 100 mg tablet) with all three tablets taken together orally twice daily for 5 days. Prescriptions should specify the numeric dose of each active ingredient within PAXLOVID. 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. 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.
Important Dosing Information in Patients with Renal Impairment
No dosage adjustment is needed 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 and 100 mg ritonavir 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 hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C); therefore, PAXLOVID is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].
Important Drug Interactions with PAXLOVID
Refer to other sections of the Fact Sheet for important drug interactions with PAXLOVID. Interacting drugs listed in the Fact Sheet are a guide and not considered a comprehensive list of all possible drugs that may interact with PAXLOVID. The healthcare provider should consult other appropriate resources such as the prescribing information for the interacting drug for comprehensive information on dosing or monitoring with concomitant use of a strong CYP3A inhibitor such as ritonavir. Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during PAXLOVID therapy and review concomitant medications during PAXLOVID therapy [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), and Drug Interactions (7)].
No dosage adjustment is required when co-administered with other products containing ritonavir or cobicistat.
Patients on ritonavir- or cobicistat-containing HIV or HCV regimens should continue their treatment as indicated.
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