About COVID-19 and risk factors
What is COVID-19 and how does it spread?
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are inhaled, or
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land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, or
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are introduced to the eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19 ?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common
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Fever or chills
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Cough
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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Fatigue
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Muscle or body aches
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Headache
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New loss of taste or smell
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Sore throat
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Congestion or runny nose
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Nausea or vomiting
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Diarrhea
Talk to your healthcare professional if you have a high-risk factor and have symptoms or test positive.
What does it mean to progress to severe COVID-19 ?
Severe
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Extreme trouble breathing
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Hospitalization
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Needing a ventilator to receive adequate oxygen
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Death
Even if your symptoms are mild now, they can get worse quickly. Your symptoms are more likely to progress if you have certain risk factors.
Who is more likely to progress to severe COVID-19 ?
People of all ages or groups can be infected with
Having a high-risk factor puts you at risk
of progression to severe
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Age
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Health conditions and diseases
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Obesity
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Recent pregnancy†
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Mental health conditions
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Lifestyle factors
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Disabilities
Learn more about risk factors for severe
In addition, a person’s risk increases with each underlying medical condition they have.
Some people are at increased risk of getting very sick or dying
from
The CDC recommends treatment for anyone over the age of 50, and people over the age of 65 are at the highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
Speak with your healthcare professional to help determine your
risk status even before a positive
*This list is subject to change based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. Visit the CDC website for the latest information and the full list of high-risk factors: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. By clicking this link, you will be redirected to a website that is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this site or service.
†It is not known if PAXLOVID is safe to use during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and suspect you have COVID-19, talk to your healthcare professional if treatment is right for you.
About PAXLOVID
What does an EUA of PAXLOVID mean?
PAXLOVID has not been approved, but has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), for adults and children [12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg)] with a current diagnosis of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
The emergency use of PAXLOVID is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.
According to the FDA, an EUA is a mechanism to facilitate the availability and use of medical countermeasures during public health emergencies, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Under an emergency use authorization, the FDA may allow the use of unapproved medical products, or unapproved uses of approved medical products, in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions when certain statutory criteria have been met, including that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
How was PAXLOVID studied?
PAXLOVID was studied in a clinical trial that included 2246 people
from around the world. All participants were unvaccinated adults,
at risk for progression to severe
The primary goal of the clinical trial was to see how well
PAXLOVID worked to reduce the risk of
Learn more about how PAXLOVID was studied and see the results.
How does PAXLOVID work?
Viruses spread in the body by making copies of themselves. If there are enough copies of the virus in your body, it may be hard for your immune system to fight the infection off. PAXLOVID works to stop the virus from multiplying and reduces the amount of it in your body.
Getting PAXLOVID
Is PAXLOVID right for me? What should I discuss with my healthcare professional to determine if PAXLOVID is right for me?
If you have a high-risk factor and have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive, tell your healthcare professional about your symptoms as soon as possible. Learn more about high-risk factors.
Tell your healthcare professional if you have any allergies, have a liver or kidney disease, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding a child, or have any serious illnesses.
Additionally, tell your healthcare professional about all of the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may interact with PAXLOVID and may cause serious side effects. Keep a list of your medicines to show your healthcare professional and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
You can ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with PAXLOVID. Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional can tell you if it is safe to take PAXLOVID with other medicines.
Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking a combined hormonal contraceptive. PAXLOVID may affect how your birth control pills work. People who are able to become pregnant should use another effective alternative form of contraception or an additional barrier method of contraception. Talk to your healthcare professional if you have any questions about contraceptive methods that might be right for you.
Do not take PAXLOVID if you are allergic to nirmatrelvir, ritonavir, or any of the ingredients in PAXLOVID.
How much does PAXLOVID cost?
PAXLOVID is available at no charge for the drug and is currently available regardless of insurance coverage. Other administrative fees may apply.
The U.S. Government has purchased PAXLOVID from Pfizer and is making it available to patients at no charge. Specific insurers may develop coverage policies for PAXLOVID in the future after Government purchase supply is no longer available.
What type of COVID-19 test can I take?
You can take any available FDA-authorized COVID-19 viral test (eg, RT-PCR, rapid antigen) to determine if you have COVID-19. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a viral test checks specimens from the nose or mouth and can be performed in a laboratory, at a testing site, at home, or anywhere else. This page can help you find a testing provider.
If you suspect you have COVID-19 and have a high-risk factor, speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
For more information on
*By clicking this link, you will be redirected to a website that is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this site or service.
How do I get PAXLOVID?
You can get PAXLOVID with a prescription from a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant. As of July 6, 2022, state-licensed pharmacists have also been authorized to prescribe PAXLOVID.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive and want to determine if you’re eligible for a PAXLOVID prescription from a pharmacist, bring the following information:
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Electronic or printed health records less than 12 months old, including recent laboratory blood work, for the pharmacist to review for kidney or liver problems. Pharmacists can also receive this information through your healthcare professional
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A list of all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, so the pharmacist can screen for drugs with potentially serious interactions with PAXLOVID
Where can I get my prescription for PAXLOVID filled?
PAXLOVID is widely available at many pharmacies, hospitals, urgent care centers, and other healthcare facilities.
Locations of publicly available
*By clicking this link, you will be redirected to a website that is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this site or service.
When should I start taking PAXLOVID?
PAXLOVID should be started within 5 days of your first symptoms, so talk to your healthcare professional as soon as you have symptoms or test positive.
What is the Test to Treat initiative?
The Test to Treat initiative* can help you get tested for
*By clicking this link or calling this phone number, you will be redirected to a website or service that is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this site or service.
Taking PAXLOVID
How do I take PAXLOVID?
PAXLOVID consists of 2 medicines: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir.
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If you are prescribed the standard dose pack (300 mg nirmatrelvir; 100 mg ritonavir): Take 2 pink tablets of nirmatrelvir with 1 white to off-white tablet of ritonavir by mouth 2 times each day (in the morning and in the evening) for 5 days. For each dose, take all 3 tablets at the same time
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If you have kidney disease, talk to your healthcare professional. You may need a different dose
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If you are prescribed the reduced dose pack (150 mg nirmatrelvir; 100 mg ritonavir): Take 1 pink tablet of nirmatrelvir with 1 white to off-white tablet of ritonavir by mouth 2 times each day (in the morning and in the evening) for 5 days. For each dose, take both tablets at the same time
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Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets
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Take PAXLOVID with or without food
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Do not stop taking PAXLOVID without talking to your healthcare professional, even if you feel better
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If you are taking a ritonavir- or cobicistat-containing medicine to treat hepatitis C or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), you should continue to take your medicine as prescribed by your healthcare professional
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Talk to your healthcare professional if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 5 days
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of PAXLOVID within 8 hours of the time it is usually taken, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss a dose by more than 8 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses of PAXLOVID at the same time.
What if I take too much PAXLOVID?
If you take too much PAXLOVID, call your healthcare professional or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
Do I need to continue the treatment if I feel better before completing the full treatment course?
Do not stop taking PAXLOVID without talking to your healthcare professional, even if you feel better.
Safety
What are the possible side effects of taking PAXLOVID?
Possible side effects include: altered sense of taste, diarrhea, high blood pressure, muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea, and malaise.
Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions, including severe allergic reactions (known as “anaphylaxis”), can happen in people taking PAXLOVID, even after only 1 dose. Stop taking PAXLOVID and call your healthcare professional right away if you get any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
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Hives, skin rash
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Trouble swallowing or breathing
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Swelling of the mouth, lips, or face
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Throat tightness
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Hoarseness of voice
Other possible side effects of PAXLOVID include liver problems and resistance to HIV medicines.
Tell your healthcare professional right away if you have any of these signs and symptoms of liver problems: loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice), dark-colored urine, pale-colored stools and itchy skin, or stomach area (abdominal) pain.
If you have untreated or undiagnosed HIV infection, PAXLOVID may lead to some HIV medicines not working as well in the future.
Other possible side effects include: altered sense of taste, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and muscle aches.
These are not all the possible side effects of PAXLOVID. Not many people have taken PAXLOVID. Serious and unexpected side effects may happen. PAXLOVID is still being studied, so it is possible that all of the risks are not known at this time.
Report side effects to FDA MedWatch at
www.fda.gov/medwatch* or call
Website | Fax number | Telephone number |
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www.pfizersafetyreporting.com |
|
|
*By clicking this link, you will be redirected to a website that is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this site or service.
Website |
---|
www.pfizersafetyreporting.com |
Fax number |
|
Telephone number |
|
*By clicking this link, you will be redirected to a website that is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this site or service.
How can I know when my PAXLOVID expires?
On January 18, 2023, the FDA authorized a shelf-life extension to 24 months for certain lots of PAXLOVID. For more information and to look up adjusted product expiration dates by original printed expiry date or batch number, please refer to the following update from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response: Shelf-Life Extension for Specific Lots of Paxlovid | HHS/ASPR.*
*By clicking this link, you will be redirected to a website that is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this site or service.
How can I verify the tablets are authentic?
PAXLOVID must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional and supplied by a government-approved pharmacy or medical facility.
Authentic PAXLOVID, from Pfizer Inc., will include the Pfizer name on the label and will be packaged in 5 aluminum push-through blister cards. Individual doses are not for sale. PAXLOVID will be packaged in a rectangular carton. The carton has a colorless, glossy coating that contains a repeated pattern of the Pfizer name and logo all over, and these repeating features are seen in a contrasting matte finish.
PAXLOVID consists of tablets for a 5-day oral treatment regimen, with morning and evening doses.
NOTE: If you are a patient with moderate kidney disease, you may receive a carton with daily blister cards that have been modified to ensure you receive the correct dose.
To help determine whether the tablets are authentic, look for specific text on each side of the tablets
Tablet | Embossed Text |
---|---|
nirmatrelvir | Front: 3CL | Back: PFE |
ritonavir, manufactured
by AbbVie |
Front: ![]() Back: No text |
ritonavir, manufactured
by Hetero |
Front: H | Back: R9 |
Pfizer is committed to patient safety and ensuring that people have accurate information about the investigational drug PAXLOVID, including how it is accessed and administered. We are actively monitoring for fraudulent offers of illegitimate PAXLOVID to protect patients from products that might be dangerous and lead to serious and life-threatening harm.
If you suspect the product you have received may be counterfeit, contact us at
For more information
For more information
Contact one of the following groups:
For medical information visit www.pfizermedicalinformation.com
or
For general product inquiries
Important Safety Information
Before taking PAXLOVID, tell your healthcare provider if you:
-
Have any allergies, liver or kidney disease, or any serious illness;
-
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding a child
Some medicines may interact with PAXLOVID and may cause serious side effects.
-
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
-
Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take PAXLOVID with other medicines.
-
You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with PAXLOVID.
-
Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking combined hormonal contraceptive.
PAXLOVID may affect how your birth control pills work. People who are able to become pregnant should use another or an alternative effective form of contraception.
Take PAXLOVID exactly as your HCP tells you.
If you take too much PAXLOVID, call your HCP or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. If you are taking a ritonavir – or cobicistat-containing medicine for hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continue to take your medicine as prescribed.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 5 days.
Do not take PAXLOVID if:
-
You are allergic to nirmatrelvir, ritonavir, or any of the ingredients in PAXLOVID or are taking any of the following medicines:
-
alfuzosin
-
amiodarone
-
apalutamide
-
carbamazepine
-
colchicine
-
dihydroergotamine
-
dronedarone
-
eletriptan
-
eplerenone
-
ergotamine
-
finerenone
-
flecainide
-
flibanserin
-
ivabradine
-
lomitapide
-
lovastatin
-
lumacaftor/ivacaftor
-
lurasidone
-
methylergonovine
-
midazolam (oral)
-
naloxegol
-
phenobarbital
-
phenytoin
-
pimozide
-
primidone
-
propafenone
-
quinidine
-
ranolazine
-
rifampin
-
St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum)
-
sildenafil (Revatio®) for pulmonary arterial hypertension
-
silodosin
-
simvastatin
-
tolvaptan
-
triazolam
-
ubrogepant
-
voclosporin
-
Taking PAXLOVID with these medicines may cause serious or life-threatening side effects or affect how PAXLOVID works. These are not the only medicines that may cause serious side effects if taken with PAXLOVID. PAXLOVID may increase or decrease the levels of multiple other medicines. It is very important to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking because additional laboratory tests or changes in the dose of your other medicines may be necessary while you are taking PAXLOVID. Your healthcare provider may also tell you about specific symptoms to watch out for that may indicate that you need to stop or decrease the dose of some of your other medicines.
Possible side effects of PAXLOVID are:
-
Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions, including severe allergic reactions (known as ‘anaphylaxis’), can happen in people taking PAXLOVID, even after only 1 dose. Stop taking PAXLOVID and call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
-
hives
-
trouble swallowing or breathing
-
swelling of the mouth, lips, or face
-
hoarseness
-
throat tightness
-
skin rash
-
-
Liver Problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of liver problems (loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin and the whites of eyes (jaundice), dark-colored urine, pale-colored stools and itchy skin, or stomach area (abdominal) pain).
-
Resistance to HIV Medicines. If you have untreated HIV infection, PAXLOVID may lead to some HIV medicines not working as well in the future.
-
Other possible side effects include:
-
altered sense of taste
-
diarrhea
-
high blood pressure
-
muscle aches
-
abdominal pain
-
nausea
-
feeling generally unwell
-
These are not all the possible side effects of PAXLOVID. Serious and unexpected side effects may happen. PAXLOVID is still being studied, so it is possible that all risks are not known at this time.
There is no experience treating pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers with PAXLOVID. For a mother and unborn baby, the benefit of taking PAXLOVID may be greater than the risk from the treatment. It is recommended that you use effective barrier contraception or do not have sexual activity while taking PAXLOVID. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss your options and specific situation with your healthcare provider.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. Report side effects or problems with the appearance or packaging of PAXLOVID to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088, or you can report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at www.pfizersafetyreporting.com, by fax at 1-866-635-83371-866-635-8337, or by calling 1-800-438-19851-800-438-1985.
Please see Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers and Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents, and Caregivers.
AUTHORIZED USE
The FDA has authorized the emergency use of PAXLOVID for the treatment of adults and children [12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg)] with a current diagnosis of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, under an EUA.
PAXLOVID is still being studied. There is limited information about the safety and effectiveness of PAXLOVID.
AUTHORIZED USE
The FDA has authorized the emergency use of PAXLOVID for the treatment of adults and children [12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg)] with a current diagnosis of mild-to-moderate
PAXLOVID is still being studied. There is limited information about the safety and effectiveness of PAXLOVID.
Important Safety Information
Before taking PAXLOVID, tell your healthcare provider if you:
-
Have any allergies, liver or kidney disease, or any serious illness;
-
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding a child
Some medicines may interact with PAXLOVID and may cause serious side effects.
-
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
-
Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take PAXLOVID with other medicines.
-
You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with PAXLOVID.
-
Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking combined hormonal contraceptive.
PAXLOVID may affect how your birth control pills work. People who are able to become pregnant should use another or an alternative effective form of contraception.
Take PAXLOVID exactly as your HCP tells you.
If you take too much PAXLOVID, call your HCP or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. If you are taking a ritonavir – or cobicistat-containing medicine for hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continue to take your medicine as prescribed.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 5 days.
Do not take PAXLOVID if:
-
You are allergic to nirmatrelvir, ritonavir, or any of the ingredients in PAXLOVID or are taking any of the following medicines:
-
alfuzosin
-
amiodarone
-
apalutamide
-
carbamazepine
-
colchicine
-
dihydroergotamine
-
dronedarone
-
eletriptan
-
eplerenone
-
ergotamine
-
finerenone
-
flecainide
-
flibanserin
-
ivabradine
-
lomitapide
-
lovastatin
-
lumacaftor/ivacaftor
-
lurasidone
-
methylergonovine
-
midazolam (oral)
-
naloxegol
-
phenobarbital
-
phenytoin
-
pimozide
-
primidone
-
propafenone
-
quinidine
-
ranolazine
-
rifampin
-
St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum)
-
sildenafil (Revatio®) for pulmonary arterial hypertension
-
silodosin
-
simvastatin
-
tolvaptan
-
triazolam
-
ubrogepant
-
voclosporin
-
Taking PAXLOVID with these medicines may cause serious or life-threatening side effects or affect how PAXLOVID works. These are not the only medicines that may cause serious side effects if taken with PAXLOVID. PAXLOVID may increase or decrease the levels of multiple other medicines. It is very important to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking because additional laboratory tests or changes in the dose of your other medicines may be necessary while you are taking PAXLOVID. Your healthcare provider may also tell you about specific symptoms to watch out for that may indicate that you need to stop or decrease the dose of some of your other medicines.
Possible side effects of PAXLOVID are:
-
Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions, including severe allergic reactions (known as ‘anaphylaxis’), can happen in people taking PAXLOVID, even after only 1 dose. Stop taking PAXLOVID and call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
-
hives
-
trouble swallowing or breathing
-
swelling of the mouth, lips, or face
-
hoarseness
-
throat tightness
-
skin rash
-
-
Liver Problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of liver problems (loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin and the whites of eyes (jaundice), dark-colored urine, pale-colored stools and itchy skin, or stomach area (abdominal) pain).
-
Resistance to HIV Medicines. If you have untreated HIV infection, PAXLOVID may lead to some HIV medicines not working as well in the future.
-
Other possible side effects include:
-
altered sense of taste
-
diarrhea
-
high blood pressure
-
muscle aches
-
abdominal pain
-
nausea
-
feeling generally unwell
-
These are not all the possible side effects of PAXLOVID. Serious and unexpected side effects may happen. PAXLOVID is still being studied, so it is possible that all risks are not known at this time.
There is no experience treating pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers with PAXLOVID. For a mother and unborn baby, the benefit of taking PAXLOVID may be greater than the risk from the treatment. It is recommended that you use effective barrier contraception or do not have sexual activity while taking PAXLOVID. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss your options and specific situation with your healthcare provider.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. Report side effects or problems with the appearance or packaging of PAXLOVID to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088, or you can report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at www.pfizersafetyreporting.com, by fax at 1-866-635-83371-866-635-8337, or by calling 1-800-438-19851-800-438-1985.
Please see Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers and Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents, and Caregivers.
AUTHORIZED USE
The FDA has authorized the emergency use of PAXLOVID for the treatment of adults and children [12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg)] with a current diagnosis of
PAXLOVID is still being studied. There is limited information about the safety and effectiveness of PAXLOVID.
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By clicking this link, you will be redirected to a website that is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer is not responsible for the content of this site or service.
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