Should I Take Paxlovid for Mild COVID-19 Symptoms? Risks, Benefits & Expert Advice

If your reports of COVID-19 are positive with mild symptoms, you may be wondering, "Should I take Paxlovid if my symptoms are mild?" Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is a well-known oral antiviral medicine that you can take at home to reduce coronavirus effects. However, “Is taking Paxlovid appropriate for mild cases?” This blog will guide you on when this antiviral drug is most effective and what factors to consider before using it.

Should I Take Paxlovid If My Symptoms Are Mild? 

According to WHO reports, patients with mild and severe symptoms of COVID-19 can consume Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) to avoid the risk of hospitalization. They also added that people can take Paxlovid for mild COVID-19 symptoms if they are at higher risk of serious disease from COVID. It is reported that people who took this medicine within 5 days of getting diagnosed with COVID-19 had a 51% lower rate of hospitalization compared to those who didn’t take it. So, even if you have mild symptoms, you can consume the medicine with a doctor's prescription.

Recommended Paxlovid Dosage

Paxlovid comes in a pack that contains 2 medicines; nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. The recommended dose is:

• 300 mg nirmatrelvir (two 150 mg tablets)

• 100 mg ritonavir (one 100 mg tablet)

Both medicines are taken orally at the same time 2 times (each dose 12 hours apart) per day for 5 days. In case of mild kidney issues, the doctors may prescribe lower doses.

How Effective Is Paxlovid For Mild Symptoms?

In a study, it has been found that 2246 unvaccinated patients who had mild symptoms showed a low risk of severe disease while on Paxlovid. That means this reduced the chance of being admitted by 8/1000 people. Research published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal depicted non-severe COVID-19 patients who took Paxlovid. There were 46 fewer admissions in the hospital per 1000 patients.

However, in the case of another antiviral drug, Molnupiravir showed only 16 fewer admissions per 1000 patients. Therefore, we can conclude that this medicine illustrated an effective outcome for reducing the effects of mild COVID-19 symptoms. However, researchers are still looking for alternatives or other solutions for children, adolescents, pregnant ladies, and lactating mothers.

How Does Paxlovid Work?

This is how Paxlovid acts to reduce COVID-19 symptoms:

• Blocks viral replication: Nirmatrelvir blocks the activity of the key enzyme- protease which prevents the COVID virus from replicating or reproducing.

• Lowers viral load: Reduces the overall amount of COVID-19 virus in the body by preventing the multiplication of the virus. 

Thus, by controlling the growth of the COVID-19 virus, Paxlovid reduces the symptoms and illness severity.

When to Start Paxlovid for COVID-19 Mild Symptoms?

You can start taking Paxlovid within 5 days of the onset of COVID symptoms because it prevents the virus from replicating itself. As per research, in approximately 90% of people who were not provided a vaccine, the use of Paxlovid has shown a reduction in the chance of hospitalization and even death.

How Often To Take Paxlovid?

You can take 3 pills of Paxlovid two times a day (one in the morning and another before bedtime) for 5 days, adding up to a total of 30 pills. 

Important Note:

• Always take Paxlovid as prescribed even if you start experiencing improvement before 5 days of a full course. 

• Make sure to take the medicine at the same time every day. 

• In case of missed doses, take the medicine as you remember. However, avoid it if it's time to take the next dose. 

• Never overdose on Paxlovid as it can lead to symptoms such as headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, or high blood pressure.

• In case of overdose, call 911 (emergency services) or 800-222-1222 ( Poison Control Center)  for immediate medical help.

Is Paxlovid Safe To Take? 

Though Paxlovid is well-tolerated, it can lead to certain side effects.

Common side effects of Paxlovid may include:

• Metallic taste in the mouth

• Diarrhea

• Increased blood pressure

• Muscle aches

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea

However, discontinue its use and see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to it with these symptoms:

• hives

• skin rashes

• difficulty breathing or swallowing

• swelling in the face, mouth, or lips

• throat tightness

• hoarseness

Moreover, the biggest downside of using this medicine is it interacts with other common drugs. Those medications may include:

• Statins

• Blood Pressure Medications

• Blood Thinners

• Mental Health Drugs

• Seizure Medications

• Migraine Medications

• Erectile Dysfunction Medications

• Birth Control Pills

So, if your doctor advises you to take Paxlovid, consciously inform the professionals about your current medicines, and home medicines, including herbs that you have been taking for a long time in detail.

Should I Take Paxlovid If My Symptoms Are Improving?

It depends on the advice of your doctor. If your doctor recommends you to go for the Paxlovid treatment, then do a 5-day course or as advised by the doctor. Please do not stop the medication abruptly in between them. If you do, then you have a chance to develop more complications. Always ask your doctor before doing anything on your own. If your symptoms improve, you need to take a full course to recover. If your health is improving and you stop taking the medication, then there is a high chance of developing that particular disease again. 

Do I Need To Get Myself Vaccinated If I Have Taken Paxlovid Earlier? 

No substitutes can replace COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is a prevention where you will have a less likely chance of getting an infection. However, sometimes, this is not the first choice to reduce the severe symptoms. That means neither this medicine prevents symptoms nor is the drug of choice for hospitalized patients. 

When Should I Stop Taking Paxlovid?

If your test reports are negative and your doctor says to discontinue the medicine, you can stop taking Paxlovid. Do not fluctuate or change the frequency, dose, and time of the medication. If you do this, you may encounter abnormalities.. Always go and ask for follow-up. If you find any adverse reaction while taking this medicine, you should stop taking it immediately. Always be careful to take this medication. A person can be sensitive or hypersensitive to some ingredients of this medicine. However, it is a rare condition. So, do not panic. 

Who Is Eligible for Paxlovid Prescription?

If individuals meet these criteria, they may qualify for a Paxlovid treatment: 

• are at least 12 years old and weigh around 88 pounds.

• Have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

• Have one or more risk contributing factors to developing severe COVID-19 like age, medical issues, and being unvaccinated.

• don't have any severe renal impairment.

Can Paxlovid Cause Rebound Effect? 

Little research shows Paxlovid can cause rebound effects due to insufficient exposure to drugs. Maybe the requirement of the dose gets undervalued. That's why it can't suppress the symptoms of the disease and then cause the disease again when the course finishes. So, you don’t have to worry as you have to be psychologically strong

Many people notice headaches and panic attacks after taking the medications. The symptoms can return in 2 to 8 days after the competition. One more study published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Preprints showed that 3.53% who took Paxlovid experienced symptoms after completing the 7-day course. 

Also Read: Treating COVID-19 at Home: Care Tips for You and Others

Alternatives to Paxlovid

If you are not eligible for Paxlovid, these medicines can be other effective treatments for COVID-19:

1. Remdesivir (Veklury):

• Approved for children and adults who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19.

• Infants and children are only eligible if they are at least 28 days old, have over 6.5 pounds body weight, are at increased risk of severe disease, or are hospitalized.

• Administered through injection or IV in hospital settings.

• Side effects may include nausea and hypersensitivity. Due to insufficient scientific data on its safety, pregnant and breastfeeding women should always discuss it with their gynecologists.

2. Molnupiravir (Lagevrio):

• Approved for individuals with ages 18 and above who are at increased risk of hospitalization and death.

• Taken orally; 4 capsules every 12 hours for 5 days.

• Side effects may include diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and allergic reactions.

• Not suggested for pregnant women as there is no scientific evidence available regarding its safety during pregnancy.

Summing Up

Should I take Paxlovid if my symptoms are mild can be a concern for many COVID patients. It can be helpful as it reduces the severity of illness, preventing the chances of hospitalization and saving money. You must know how and when we can become eligible for medicine. Never prescribe any medicine to yourself without any deep knowledge about the particular drug. Therefore, it is mandatory to always consult the doctors or physicians before taking any medication to avoid any negative effects.