Getty Images / Joe Raedle / Staff
What Is Lagevrio and How Does It Work?
It is typically used in high-risk people for severe disease or hospitalization.
The medication is activated once it is swallowed and absorbed by the body.
Getty Images / Joe Raedle / Staff
It works by stopping the virus from multiplying further to a more severe or complicated infection of COVID-19.
What Is Paxlovid and How Does It Work?
Paxlovidis a combination of two antiviral medications used to stop the progression of COVID-19 from becoming more severe.
The two medications work together.
How Effective Are Lagevrio and Paxlovid?
Although relatively safe, Paxlovid has not been studied in those with severe liver problems.
These two medications have not been studied in head-to-head comparative trials.
Dosage: How Much Paxlovid and Lagevrio Should I Take?
For the best results, start Paxlovid immediately after your COVID-19 diagnosis and within five days of symptom onset.
Resume your usual time of administration.
Instead, wait until your next scheduled dose.
Do not take double the dose to make up for a missed dose.
Lagevrio
For mild to moderate COVID-19, take one 800-milligram capsule every 12 hours for five days.
Like Paxlovid, take it as soon as you have been diagnosed and within five days of feeling symptoms.
Do not take double the dose at any point while taking this medication.
Side Effects
Like all medications, Paxlovid and Lagevrio can cause side effects and reactions.
More common side effects experienced with Paxlovid include:
Sometimes, more severe side effects of Paxlovid may occur.
Who Shouldn’t Take Paxlovid vs. Lagevrio?
When deciding which treatment is best for you, other factors apart from efficacy may come into play.
Certain health conditions or circumstances may prevent you from taking one of these medications over the other.
The following lists are medications that could potentially interact with these medications.
Ask your healthcare team before starting your prescribed treatment for a complete list of all existing interactions.
These medications should be started as soon as possible after aCOVID-19 diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
As an emergency-use medication, Lagevrio is currently available at no cost.
Although its retail price is not available yet, it is estimated Lagevrio could cost about $700.
Without insurance, Paxlovid will cost about $530 after the free supply ends.
However, what you pay out of pocket will depend on your insurance coverage.
Paxlovid is relatively safe to take while pregnant.
No published studies have reported an increased risk of major birth defects.
Additionally, there is more maternal and fetal risk associated with untreated COVID-19 in pregnancy.
Still, talk to your healthcare provider if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are pregnant.
Lagevrio, on the other hand, is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
The medication can cause fetal harm.
The author would like to recognize and thank Jaycob Mathew Pena for contributing to this article.
Food and Drug Administration.Paxlovid label.
2022;386(6):509-520. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2116044.
2022;9(12):ofac637.
