How to take
▼ PAXLOVID ®
(nirmatrelvir tablets 150mg;
ritonavir tablets 100mg)
How to take
Always take this medicine exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist.
Each Paxlovid dose consists of two tablets of nirmatrelvir (pink tablets) and one tablet of ritonavir (white tablet) that are taken together twice a day, for a total of 5 days.
You should take the whole course of Paxlovid treatment as your doctor or healthcare professional has told you. This consists of:
Kidney or liver disease:
Do not take Paxlovid if you have severe kidney or liver disease
If you have kidney disease, please talk to your healthcare provider for an appropriate dose of Paxlovid.
If you have moderate kidney disease you will need a lower dose of Paxlovid. If you have severe kidney disease you must not take Paxlovid.
Taking Paxlovid
- Follow the dosing information above on how many tablets to take
- Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets.
- Take Paxlovid with or without food
- You should dispose of the unused tablets as advised by your pharmacist or doctor
- If you forget to take a dose of Paxlovid take it as soon as you remember. If more than 8 hours have passed since your missed dose, do not take your missed dose; instead, take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose
- If you take too much Paxlovid, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital straight away
A course of treatment lasts 5 days. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking Paxlovid without talking to your healthcare provider.
Before taking Paxlovid, please tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
- You have, or have had, kidney or liver disease before you start taking Paxlovid
- You do not feel better or if you feel worse while on treatment with Paxlovid
- You have any allergies to the active ingredients (nirmatrelvir, ritonavir) or any of the other ingredients of Paxlovid
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You are taking oral contraceptives as you may need to take extra contraceptive precautions, such as using a condom
- You are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, including prescription and over-the counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. For more information on this please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page of this website
- You are taking any medicines listed in section 2 of the Patient Information Leaflet as having the potential to cause serious or life-threatening side effects, or to affect how Paxlovid works
Pregnancy
Paxlovid is not recommended during pregnancy because there is not enough information to be sure it is not harmful for pregnant patients, or their babies.
Ask your doctor for advice, if you are, think you may be, or are planning to get pregnant.
If you are taking Paxlovid and are of child-bearing age, you must use effective barrier contraception (e.g. condom, diaphragm or cap) or refrain from sexual activity for the duration of treatment and until after one full menstrual cycle is completed after stopping Paxlovid treatment. Even if you are taking oral contraceptive pills, you will need to use barrier contraception.
If you find out you are pregnant, or became pregnant while taking Paxlovid, or shortly after, report this by contacting the UK COVID-19 Antivirals in Pregnancy Registry on 0344 892 0909 or by asking your doctor or your partner to do this on your behalf. In addition, please inform your doctor or pharmacist, because you will need to be followed up closely.
Possible side effects of Paxlovid
COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.
Reporting of side effects
▼This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. If you get any side effects talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. You can also report any side effects directly via the Coronavirus Yellow Card Reporting site https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
References
PAXLOVID® Patient information leaflet. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13145/pil
PAXLOVID® Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13145/smpc
GOV.UK. COVID-19 antivirals: reporting to the UK COVID-19 Antivirals Pregnancy Registry. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/covid-19-antivirals-reporting-to-the-uk-covid-19-antivirals-pregnancy-registry Accessed: January 2025.
PP-C1D-GBR-0542 | January 2025