Paxlovid dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes Paxlovid’s dosage and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Paxlovid. If you want to know more about Paxlovid, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Paxlovid is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes dosages of Paxlovid.

Boxed warning: Risk of serious effects due to certain drug interactions

Paxlovid has a boxed warning for the risk of serious effects due to certain drug interactions. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Form and strengths of Paxlovid

Paxlovid comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths:
  • 150 milligrams (mg) nirmatrelvir/100 mg ritonavir
  • 300 mg nirmatrelvir/100 mg ritonavir

Dosage of Paxlovid

This article describes the recommended dosages for Paxlovid. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Paxlovid without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of Paxlovid in adults

The recommended dosage of Paxlovid is:

• Dose: 300 mg of nirmatrelvir (two 150-mg tablets) with 100 mg of ritonavir (one 100-mg tablet)*
• Frequency: twice per day
• Treatment length: 5 days

* All three tablets should be taken together to make up one full dose.

Dosage of Paxlovid in children

Paxlovid is only approved for use in adults. However, the FDA has granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to make Paxlovid available for certain children ages 12–18 years old.

Your child’s doctor may prescribe Paxlovid if they meet certain criteria specified in the EUA.

Dosage adjustments for Paxlovid

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Paxlovid based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition you’re being treated for and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you may take

Missed dose of Paxlovid

If you miss a dose of Paxlovid and it’s within 8 hours of the time it’s usually taken, you should take the dose as soon as you can and continue your regular dosing schedule.

If it has been longer than 8 hours, you should not take the missed dose. Skip the dose and take the next dose at your regularly scheduled time. You should not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have further questions about a missed dose.

For tips on how to plan your doses of Paxlovid and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Paxlovid and its dosage.

How many hours should you wait between doses of Paxlovid?

The drugmaker doesn’t give details on how many hours there should be between doses. But Paxlovid should be taken twice per day, in the morning and in the evening, for 5 days in a row.

If you have more questions about the dosing schedule of Paxlovid, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I take my first dose of Paxlovid in the evening?

Yes. The first dose of Paxlovid can be taken in the morning or at bedtime, based on when you pick up your prescription.

If you have more questions about when to take your first dose of Paxlovid, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Paxlovid taken long term?

No, doctors don’t typically prescribe Paxlovid as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.

If you have questions about how long you need to take Paxlovid, talk with your doctor.

How Paxlovid is taken

You’ll swallow Paxlovid twice per day, or as prescribed by your doctor. You can take it with or without food.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

Swallow the tablets whole. You should not chew, break, or crush them. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Paxlovid coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Paxlovid when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of Paxlovid

It’s important that you do not take more Paxlovid than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

What to do if you take too much Paxlovid

If you think you’ve taken too much Paxlovid, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosage for Paxlovid. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of Paxlovid without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Paxlovid exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will my dosage of Paxlovid change if I take other drugs with it?
• What should I do if I don’t feel better after I finish the 5-day treatment course?
• How does the dosage of Paxlovid compare with other drugs used for COVID-19?

Boxed warning for Paxlovid

Paxlovid has a boxed warning for the risk of serious effects due to certain drug interactions. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Paxlovid can interact with several medications, such as:

• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
• nifedipine (Procardia)

Taking Paxlovid with any of these drugs can cause the drugs to reach dangerous levels in your body. Or it can cause Paxlovid to clear from your body too quickly. This may lead to serious side effects or make Paxlovid less effective.

Before starting Paxlovid treatment, it’s important to tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking. Be sure you tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements you take.

If you have more questions about the boxed warning for Paxlovid, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.