Frequently Asked
Questions About
PAXLOVID

PAXLOVID has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an EUA for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and children (12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds [40 kg]) 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.

PAXLOVID was studied in a clinical trial that included 2113 people from around the world. All participants were unvaccinated adults, at risk for progression to severe COVID-19, had mild-to-moderate symptoms for 5 days or fewer, and tested positive for COVID-19.

The primary goal of the clinical trial was to see how well PAXLOVID worked to reduce the risk of COVID-19–related hospitalization or death when compared with placebo.

Learn more about how PAXLOVID was studied and see the results.

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.

You can take any available FDA-authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 viral test (eg, RT-PCR, rapid antigen) to determine if you have COVID-19. Per the FDA, 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 COVID-19 testing, see the CDC’s COVID-19 Testing: What You Need To Know.*

*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 or services of this site.

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 mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and want to determine if you're eligible for a PAXLOVID prescription from a pharmacist, bring the following information:

• 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
• 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

Learn more about how to get PAXLOVID.

PAXLOVID should be started within 5 days of your first symptoms, so talk to your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

The Test to Treat initiative* can help you get tested for COVID-19 and, if appropriate, receive treatment all in the same location. Find a location near you here or call 1-800-232-0233.^*

*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.

PAXLOVID consists of 2 medicines: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir.

• 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
• If you have kidney problems, talk to your healthcare professional. You may need a different dose
• 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

• Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets
• Take PAXLOVID with or without food
• Do not stop taking PAXLOVID without talking to your healthcare professional, even if you feel better
• If you are taking a ritonavir- or cobicistat-containing medicine to treat hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) infection, you should continue to take your medicine as prescribed by your healthcare professional
• Talk to your healthcare professional if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 5 days

Learn more about how to take PAXLOVID.

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.

If you take too much PAXLOVID, call your healthcare professional or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Do not stop taking PAXLOVID without talking to your healthcare professional, even if you feel better.

PAXLOVID may cause side effects, some of which may be serious, such as allergic reactions or liver problems. The list below doesn't include all of the possible side effects of PAXLOVID. For more information, ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist.

Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions, including severe allergic reactions (known as “anaphylaxis”) can happen in people taking PAXLOVID. Stop taking PAXLOVID and call your healthcare professional right away if you get any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

• Skin rash, hives, blisters, or peeling skin
• Painful sores or ulcers in the mouth, nose, throat, or genital area
• Swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or face
• Trouble swallowing or breathing
• Throat tightness
• Hoarseness

Liver problems: Tell your healthcare professional right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems while taking PAXLOVID:

• Loss of appetite
• Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes
• Dark-colored urine
• Pale-colored stools
• Itchy skin
• Stomach-area (abdominal) pain

The most common side effects of PAXLOVID include: altered sense of taste and diarrhea.

Other possible side effects include: headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, high blood pressure, feeling generally unwell.

Report side effects to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch* or call 1-800-FDA-1088 or you can report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at the contact information provided below.

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 www.paxlovidlotexpiry.com.

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: NK | Back: No text
ritonavir, manufactured by Hetero	Front: H | Back: R9
ritnovair, manufacturer by AbbVie	Front: NK | Back: No text

For packaging options and information, see the Patient PAXLOVID Packaging Education Flashcard.

Pfizer is committed to patient safety and ensuring that people have accurate information about 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 1-800-438-1985 or visit www.pfizersafetyreporting.com.

For packaging options and information, see the Patient PAXLOVID Packaging Education Flashcard.

For more information

For more information

Contact one of the following groups:

For medical information visit www.pfizermedicalinformation.com
or call 1-800-438-1985

For general product inquiries call 1-877-C19-PACK
(1-877-219-7225)