Paxlovid
What is Paxlovid?
Paxlovid is a medication used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death (1)(5). It is a combination of two drugs, Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir, which work together to inhibit the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (1). Paxlovid has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) (1)(6).
Dosage
The recommended 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 twice a day for five days (1)(5). The first dose of Paxlovid should be taken in the morning or evening, depending on when the patient picked up their prescription, and subsequent doses should be taken approximately 12 hours apart (1)(2)(3)(4). The standard dose is for patients with normal renal function or mild renal impairment (eGFR β₯60 to <90 mL/min) (1).
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Paxlovid include diarrhea, nausea, and headache (1). Other potential side effects might include fatigue, dizziness, and abdominal pain (1). If you experience any serious side effects, such as an allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately (1).
Interactions
Paxlovid may interact with certain medications, including anticoagulants/antiplatelet drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), orlistat (a weight-loss medication), and antihypertensive drugs (1). If you are taking any of these medications, consult your healthcare provider before starting Paxlovid treatment (1).
Time of Day and With or Without Food
The first dose of Paxlovid should be taken in the morning or evening, depending on when the patient picked up their prescription, and subsequent doses should be taken approximately 12 hours apart (1)(2)(3)(4). Paxlovid can be taken with or without food (1).
Human Studies
Paxlovid has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death (1)(5)(6). The safety and efficacy of Paxlovid have been evaluated in clinical trials, and the results have shown that Paxlovid can reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in high-risk patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (1)(6).
Summary
To summarize, Paxlovid is a medication used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. It is a combination of two drugs, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, which work together to inhibit the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The recommended dosage is 300 mg nirmatrelvir with 100 mg ritonavir taken twice a day for five days. Paxlovid can be taken with or without food. The most common side effects of Paxlovid include diarrhea, nausea, and headache. Paxlovid may interact with certain medications, and it is recommended to consult a doctor or pharmacist before combining Paxlovid with other drugs or supplements. Paxlovid has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
Citations:
[1] https://www.paxlovidhcp.com/dosing
[2] https://www.paxlovid.com/how-to-take
[3] https://paxlovid.pfizerpro.com/dosing
[4] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paxlovid/how-and-when-to-take-paxlovid/
[5] https://reference.medscape.com/drug/paxlovid-nirmatrelvir-ritonavir-4000259
[6] https://www.fda.gov/media/155050/download