For people who were unvaccinated, Paxlovid lowered the risk of hospitalization or death by 81%.

Paxlovidis a combination of two antiviral medications: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir.

“Nirmatrelvir stops the virus from replicating and reduces the amount of virus in the body.

Paxlovid

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Who’s Eligible for Paxlovid?

“Paxlovid is not recommended for everyone,” Mazumder said.

Paxlovid is also only meant for use within five days of symptom onset.

Your healthcare provider will ultimately decide if you meet the criteria for a prescription.

Can You Get Paxlovid If You Don’t Qualify?

You’ll need a prescription from a doctor to make it obtain Paxlovid.

Should You Take Paxlovid If Your Symptoms Are Mild?

If a patient starts this treatment when the symptoms are severe, Paxlovid can not reverse this damage.

Should You Finish the Whole Course If You’re Feeling Better?

Bakshi said it’s important to complete the entire course to get the full benefits of the treatment.

Does Paxlovid Help Prevent Long COVID?

“Long COVID may be a consequence of the initial moderate to severe COVID,” Bakshi said.

Should You Worry About Paxlovid Rebound?

In some cases, people have tested positive again with no symptoms.

Can You Get Paxlovid Without Insurance?

The drug can be obtained at no cost with a prescription.

For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA authorizes pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid with certain limitations.

Kaiser Family Foundation.The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Details on Health Coverage and Access.