🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 39 (from laksa148)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa039.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://time.com/6175031/paxlovid-covid-19-treatment/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://time.com/6175031/paxlovid-covid-19-treatment/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/time.com\/6175031\/paxlovid-covid-19-treatment\/","crawl_time":1775468102,"first_indexed_time":1652134423,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,time!\/6175031\/paxlovid-covid-19-treatment\/ s443","src_root_hash":"9797552172251460839","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Paxlovid as a COVID-19 Treatment: What You Should Know","meta_descriptions":["Here's what to know about the drug, its efficacy, and who can get it."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid—the first such pill to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)\nin May\n—has become the most common medicine used for treating adults who are at high-risk for experiencing a severe case of COVID-19.\n“It remains an important treatment option for people at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including those with prior immunity,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research,\nin a May press release\n.\nWith COVID-19 cases increasing again in the U.S. and Paxlovid becoming more widely available, it’s useful to understand a bit more about the drug, its efficacy, and who can get it.\nWhat is Paxlovid and how does it work?\nPaxlovid is made up of\ntwo medications\n: nirmatrelvir, which inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 protein from replicating, and ritonavir, which is best known as an HIV\/AIDS treatment that is now used to stop antivirals such as nirmatrelvir from breaking down too quickly so your body can keep fighting the infection. Patients prescribed Paxlovid take a total of 30 pills: three pills twice a day for five days.\nHow effective is Paxlovid for treating COVID-19?\nBased on studies conducted so far, Paxlovid should be prescribed within five days of symptoms appearing for the best chance of success.\nStudies\nhave shown that\nPaxlovid has strong efficacy for treating COVID-19 for patients who are at-risk at developing a severe case. It is particularly effective among adults who are unvaccinated, had never had COVID-19, and were either 18 years of age and older and at risk of progressing to severe disease, or older than 60.\nA clinical trial that evaluated COVID-19’s effect on high risk patients referred to by the FDA as the EPIC-HR trial,\nshowed that\nPaxlovid reduced the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths 28 days after contracting the virus by 86%. The study, completed between July and December 2021, looked at patients who were symptomatic and unvaccinated. Other studies\nalso show that the drug has limited benefits\nfor people who do not have risk factors for serious disease.\nIn March 2022, Pfizer\nannounced the launch\nof a clinical trial studying the safety and success of Paxlovid in children and teenagers between 6 and 17 years old. The results of that trial have not yet been released.\nIn 2022, when prescriptions for Paxlovid were initially on the rise, the treatment was “remains highly effective and is mainly well tolerated,” with the different variants, Dr. Zenobia Brown, medical director and vice president of population health care management at Northwell Health, told TIME. “However, we may be facing a situation where a longer course is warranted for some patients, especially those who receive the drug very early in their disease course and\/or are immunocompromised.”\nBut scientists are not all that\nsure of its efficacy\nas the virus continues to mutate. Research has shown that Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant EG.5, which is the dominant strain in the U.S. It is still not clear if Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, a coronavirus variant\nfirst detected in late July\nthat has more than 30 mutations. Doctors say that means the virus has the “potential to bypass immune defenses both from natural infection and prior vaccination,”\naccording to Yale Medicine\n.\nHow can you get Paxlovid?\nPaxlovid is currently authorized for use in people ages 12 and up, weighing at least 88 pounds, who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of developing severe illness. This includes individuals who have underlying conditions such as cancer or diabetes or\nwho are 50 or older\n.\nIf you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA says you should talk to your doctor about using Paxlovid.\nAside from physicians, state-licensed pharmacists can also prescribe Paxlovid under the\nemergency use authorization\nissued by the FDA\nWhat are the side effects of Paxlovid?\nThere are a few side effects to watch out for. One is\ndysgeusia\n, which negatively affects your sense of taste; it’s a side effect also listed for other drugs like antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and antihistamines. Over 5% of the participants in Pfizer’s clinical trial experienced this side effect.\nWhile each person’s experience can vary, many people who get this describe it as having a bitter or metallic taste in their mouths. “It tastes terrible—but not terrible enough to make most people stop therapy,” says Dr. Paul Sax, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.\nOther common\nside effects\ninclude diarrhea, muscle aches, and high blood pressure. “These side effects are relatively minor, and the drug is well tolerated by most,” says Brown. “The larger issue with Paxlovid… is that the drug is metabolized by the same enzymes that metabolize many common medications. In some instances, those interactions can increase or decrease drug levels dangerously or reduce the amount of drug and efficacy of the Paxlovid.” For example, she points out that “patients who are on hormonal contraceptives are asked to use a backup method.”\nRitonavir can also cause\nliver problems\n, so patients with a history of liver problems or pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or\nhepatitis\n, should talk to their doctor before taking the medicine. Paxlovid is also not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems, while those with moderate kidney issues may need a different dosage level.\nBoth active ingredients in Paxlovid may also interact with other medications—\nsuch as\nimmunosuppressants for organ transplant recipients and blood thinners—so the\nFDA advises people\nto first talk to their doctor about any medications they are taking.\nCan Paxlovid help with Long COVID?\nThere is some evidence that Paxlovid can help with long COVID.\nAn\nanalysis of federal health data\nby researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system in March found that Paxlovid decreased the probability of contracting\nlong COVID\nby 26% over the course of six months.\n“Our research reinforces such theories. It stands to reason that an antiviral drug—one that suppresses viral replication—may reduce the risk of long COVID,”\nsaid\nsenior author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a Washington University clinical epidemiologist.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to Content](https:\/\/time.com\/6175031\/paxlovid-covid-19-treatment\/#maincontent)\n\n- Menu\n  \n  Close\n\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/time.com\/subscribe-header-time\/)\n\n- [Health](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/health\/)\n- [COVID-19](https:\/\/time.com\/tag\/covid-19\/)\n# Here’s What You Need to Know About Paxlovid\n[ADD TIME ON GOOGLE](https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/time.com)\n\nShow me more content from TIME on Google Search\n\nby [Kyla Mandel](https:\/\/time.com\/author\/kyla-mandel\/) and [Solcyré Burga](https:\/\/time.com\/author\/solcyre-burga\/)\n\nMay 9, 2022 10:10 PM CUT\n\n![Paxlovid-covid-19-treatment](https:\/\/gcp-na-images.contentstack.com\/v3\/assets\/bltea6093859af6183b\/blt2aee729d03bec7cc\/698a31b0929fad8f74bf893b\/paxlovid-covid-19-treatment.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3%3A2)\n\n01 March 2022, Berlin: The drug Paxlovid against Covid-19 from the manufacturer Pfizer is lying on a table. Photo: Fabian Sommer\/dpa (Photo by Fabian Sommer\/picture alliance via Getty Images)\n\n01 March 2022, Berlin: The drug Paxlovid against Covid-19 from the manufacturer Pfizer is lying on a table. Photo: Fabian Sommer\/dpa (Photo by Fabian Sommer\/picture alliance via Getty Images)Fabian Sommer\/picture alliance—Getty Images\n\nby [Kyla Mandel](https:\/\/time.com\/author\/kyla-mandel\/) and [Solcyré Burga](https:\/\/time.com\/author\/solcyre-burga\/)\n\nMay 9, 2022 10:10 PM CUT\n\nPfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid—the first such pill to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [in May](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults \"undefined\")—has become the most common medicine used for treating adults who are at high-risk for experiencing a severe case of COVID-19.\n\nClinical trials have shown it to be effective: a February 2022 report found that it [reduced the risk of progression to severe Covid-19](https:\/\/www.nejm.org\/doi\/full\/10.1056\/nejmoa2118542 \"undefined\") in most patients by 89%.\n\n“It remains an important treatment option for people at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including those with prior immunity,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, [in a May press release](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults \"undefined\").\n\nWith COVID-19 cases increasing again in the U.S. and Paxlovid becoming more widely available, it’s useful to understand a bit more about the drug, its efficacy, and who can get it.\n\n## **What is Paxlovid and how does it work?**\nPaxlovid is made up of [two medications](https:\/\/www.yalemedicine.org\/news\/12-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19 \"undefined\"): nirmatrelvir, which inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 protein from replicating, and ritonavir, which is best known as an HIV\/AIDS treatment that is now used to stop antivirals such as nirmatrelvir from breaking down too quickly so your body can keep fighting the infection. Patients prescribed Paxlovid take a total of 30 pills: three pills twice a day for five days.\n\n## **How effective is Paxlovid for treating COVID-19?**\nBased on studies conducted so far, Paxlovid should be prescribed within five days of symptoms appearing for the best chance of success.\n\nStudies [have shown that](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults \"undefined\") Paxlovid has strong efficacy for treating COVID-19 for patients who are at-risk at developing a severe case. It is particularly effective among adults who are unvaccinated, had never had COVID-19, and were either 18 years of age and older and at risk of progressing to severe disease, or older than 60.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nA clinical trial that evaluated COVID-19’s effect on high risk patients referred to by the FDA as the EPIC-HR trial, [showed that](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults \"undefined\") Paxlovid reduced the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths 28 days after contracting the virus by 86%. The study, completed between July and December 2021, looked at patients who were symptomatic and unvaccinated. Other studies [also show that the drug has limited benefits](https:\/\/time.com\/6198667\/paxlovid-who-should-take-covid-19\/ \"undefined\") for people who do not have risk factors for serious disease.\n\nIn March 2022, Pfizer [announced the launch](https:\/\/www.pfizer.com\/news\/press-release\/press-release-detail\/pfizer-initiates-phase-23-study-novel-covid-19-oral \"undefined\") of a clinical trial studying the safety and success of Paxlovid in children and teenagers between 6 and 17 years old. The results of that trial have not yet been released.\n\nIn 2022, when prescriptions for Paxlovid were initially on the rise, the treatment was “remains highly effective and is mainly well tolerated,” with the different variants, Dr. Zenobia Brown, medical director and vice president of population health care management at Northwell Health, told TIME. “However, we may be facing a situation where a longer course is warranted for some patients, especially those who receive the drug very early in their disease course and\/or are immunocompromised.”\n\nAdvertisement\n\nBut scientists are not all that [sure of its efficacy](https:\/\/www.cuimc.columbia.edu\/news\/how-paxlovid-resistance-can-emerge \"undefined\") as the virus continues to mutate. Research has shown that Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant EG.5, which is the dominant strain in the U.S. It is still not clear if Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, a coronavirus variant [first detected in late July](https:\/\/www.yalemedicine.org\/news\/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola \"undefined\") that has more than 30 mutations. Doctors say that means the virus has the “potential to bypass immune defenses both from natural infection and prior vaccination,” [according to Yale Medicine](https:\/\/www.yalemedicine.org\/news\/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola \"undefined\").\n\n## **How can you get Paxlovid?**\nPaxlovid is currently authorized for use in people ages 12 and up, weighing at least 88 pounds, who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of developing severe illness. This includes individuals who have underlying conditions such as cancer or diabetes or [who are 50 or older](https:\/\/www.yalemedicine.org\/news\/13-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19 \"undefined\").\n\nIf you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA says you should talk to your doctor about using Paxlovid.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAside from physicians, state-licensed pharmacists can also prescribe Paxlovid under the [emergency use authorization](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/155052\/download \"undefined\") issued by the FDA\n\n## **What are the side effects of Paxlovid?**\nThere are a few side effects to watch out for. One is [dysgeusia](https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/health\/archive\/2022\/05\/pfizer-paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects\/629772\/ \"undefined\"), which negatively affects your sense of taste; it’s a side effect also listed for other drugs like antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and antihistamines. Over 5% of the participants in Pfizer’s clinical trial experienced this side effect.\n\nWhile each person’s experience can vary, many people who get this describe it as having a bitter or metallic taste in their mouths. “It tastes terrible—but not terrible enough to make most people stop therapy,” says Dr. Paul Sax, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.\n\nOther common [side effects](https:\/\/www.covid19oralrx-patient.com\/side-effects \"undefined\") include diarrhea, muscle aches, and high blood pressure. “These side effects are relatively minor, and the drug is well tolerated by most,” says Brown. “The larger issue with Paxlovid… is that the drug is metabolized by the same enzymes that metabolize many common medications. In some instances, those interactions can increase or decrease drug levels dangerously or reduce the amount of drug and efficacy of the Paxlovid.” For example, she points out that “patients who are on hormonal contraceptives are asked to use a backup method.”\n\nAdvertisement\n\nRitonavir can also cause [liver problems](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/155052\/download \"undefined\"), so patients with a history of liver problems or pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or [hepatitis](https:\/\/time.com\/6173477\/mysterious-hepatitis-outbreak-children\/ \"undefined\"), should talk to their doctor before taking the medicine. Paxlovid is also not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems, while those with moderate kidney issues may need a different dosage level.\n\nBoth active ingredients in Paxlovid may also interact with other medications—[such as](https:\/\/www.popsci.com\/health\/paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects-drug-interactions\/ \"undefined\") immunosuppressants for organ transplant recipients and blood thinners—so the [FDA advises people](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/155052\/download \"undefined\") to first talk to their doctor about any medications they are taking.\n\n## **Can Paxlovid help with Long COVID?**\nThere is some evidence that Paxlovid can help with long COVID.\n\nAn [analysis of federal health data](https:\/\/medicine.wustl.edu\/news\/paxlovid-reduces-risk-of-long-term-health-problems-death-from-covid-19\/ \"undefined\") by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system in March found that Paxlovid decreased the probability of contracting [long COVID](https:\/\/time.com\/6265507\/long-covid-antivirals-paxlovid-metformin\/ \"undefined\") by 26% over the course of six months.\n\nAdvertisement\n\n“Our research reinforces such theories. It stands to reason that an antiviral drug—one that suppresses viral replication—may reduce the risk of long COVID,” [said](https:\/\/medicine.wustl.edu\/news\/paxlovid-reduces-risk-of-long-term-health-problems-death-from-covid-19\/#:~:text=The%20analysis%20showed%20that%20Paxlovid,%2C%E2%80%9D%20Al-Aly%20said. \"undefined\") senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a Washington University clinical epidemiologist.\n\n## Must-Reads from TIME\n- [Iranian President Pens Open Letter to American People](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/01\/iran-war-president-open-letter-american-people\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n- [‘Safe and sound’: How a U.S. Airman Shot Down in Iran Was Rescued From a Mountain Crevice](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/05\/-safe-and-sound-how-a-u-s-airman-shot-down-in-iran-was-rescued-from-a-mountain-crevice\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n- [What to Know About the Army Chief Hegseth Ousted—and the General Who’s Taking Over](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/03\/hegseth-army-firings-chief-of-staff\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n- [Inside Trump's Search for a Way Out of the Iran War](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/02\/trump-iran-off-ramp\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n- [Trump Calls Vance the ‘Fraud Czar.’ Here’s What We Know About the Role](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/03\/trump-vance-fraud-czar\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n- [Pam Bondi Ousted as Trump's Attorney General](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/02\/pam-bondi-out-as-trump-s-attorney-general\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n\n- [Iranian President Pens Open Letter to American People](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/01\/iran-war-president-open-letter-american-people\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n- [‘Safe and sound’: How a U.S. Airman Shot Down in Iran Was Rescued From a Mountain Crevice](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/05\/-safe-and-sound-how-a-u-s-airman-shot-down-in-iran-was-rescued-from-a-mountain-crevice\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n- [What to Know About the Army Chief Hegseth Ousted—and the General Who’s Taking Over](https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/04\/03\/hegseth-army-firings-chief-of-staff\/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw)\n\nRead More\n\n## Sections\n- [Home](https:\/\/time.com\/)\n- [Politics](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/politics\/)\n- [Health](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/health\/)\n- [AI](https:\/\/time.com\/tag\/ai\/)\n- [World](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/world\/)\n- [Business](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/business\/)\n- [Science](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/science\/)\n\n- [Climate](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/climate\/)\n- [Ideas](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/ideas\/)\n- [Entertainment](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/entertainment\/)\n- [Sports](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/sports\/)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/time.com\/tag\/technology\/)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/time.com\/newsletters\/?source=TD_Footer_Link&utm_source_pg=web&utm_medium_pg=footer&utm_campaign_pg=footer&utm_content_pg=footer-inside-time)\n\n## More\n- [The TIME Vault](https:\/\/time.com\/vault\/)\n- [TIME Africa](https:\/\/africa.time.com\/)\n- [TIME France](https:\/\/www.timefrance.fr\/)\n- [TIME For Kids](https:\/\/www.timeforkids.com\/)\n- [TIME Futures](https:\/\/time.com\/collection\/time-co2-futures\/)\n\n- [TIME Studios](https:\/\/studios.time.com\/)\n- [Video](https:\/\/time.com\/collections\/time-video\/)\n- [Red Border](https:\/\/redborder.time.com\/)\n- [Supplied Partner Content](https:\/\/partnercontent.time.com\/)\n\n## About Us\n- [Our Mission](https:\/\/time.com\/about-time\/)\n- [Contact the Editors](mailto:feedback@time.com)\n- [Press Room](https:\/\/time.com\/section\/press-room\/)\n- [Media Kit](https:\/\/time.com\/mediakit\/)\n- [Reprints & Permissions](https:\/\/www.parsintl.com\/publication\/time)\n\n- [Masthead](https:\/\/time.com\/time-masthead\/)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/time.com\/join-time\/)\n- [Site Map](https:\/\/time.com\/sitemap.xml)\n- [Modern Slavery Statement](https:\/\/time.com\/modern-slavery-statement\/)\n\n## Your Subscriptions\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/time.com\/subscribe-footer-time\/)\n- [Access My Digital Magazine](https:\/\/geo.ema.gs\/time_digital)\n- [Manage My Subscription](https:\/\/support.time.com\/)\n- [Global Help Center](https:\/\/support.time.com\/)\n\n- [Buy an Issue](https:\/\/magazineshop.us\/collections\/time-magazine\/)\n- [Shop the Cover Store](https:\/\/timecoverstore.com\/)\n- [Give a Gift](https:\/\/time.com\/giveagift\/)\n\n© 2026 TIME USA, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our [Terms of Service](https:\/\/legal.time.com\/terms-of-service), [Privacy Policy (Your Privacy Rights)](https:\/\/legal.time.com\/us-privacy-policy) and Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.\n\nTIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.","attrs_readable_markdown":"Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid—the first such pill to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [in May](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults \"undefined\")—has become the most common medicine used for treating adults who are at high-risk for experiencing a severe case of COVID-19.\n\n“It remains an important treatment option for people at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including those with prior immunity,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, [in a May press release](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults \"undefined\").\n\nWith COVID-19 cases increasing again in the U.S. and Paxlovid becoming more widely available, it’s useful to understand a bit more about the drug, its efficacy, and who can get it.\n\n**What is Paxlovid and how does it work?**\n\nPaxlovid is made up of [two medications](https:\/\/www.yalemedicine.org\/news\/12-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19 \"undefined\"): nirmatrelvir, which inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 protein from replicating, and ritonavir, which is best known as an HIV\/AIDS treatment that is now used to stop antivirals such as nirmatrelvir from breaking down too quickly so your body can keep fighting the infection. Patients prescribed Paxlovid take a total of 30 pills: three pills twice a day for five days.\n\n**How effective is Paxlovid for treating COVID-19?**\n\nBased on studies conducted so far, Paxlovid should be prescribed within five days of symptoms appearing for the best chance of success.\n\nStudies [have shown that](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults \"undefined\") Paxlovid has strong efficacy for treating COVID-19 for patients who are at-risk at developing a severe case. It is particularly effective among adults who are unvaccinated, had never had COVID-19, and were either 18 years of age and older and at risk of progressing to severe disease, or older than 60.\n\nA clinical trial that evaluated COVID-19’s effect on high risk patients referred to by the FDA as the EPIC-HR trial, [showed that](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults \"undefined\") Paxlovid reduced the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths 28 days after contracting the virus by 86%. The study, completed between July and December 2021, looked at patients who were symptomatic and unvaccinated. Other studies [also show that the drug has limited benefits](https:\/\/time.com\/6198667\/paxlovid-who-should-take-covid-19\/ \"undefined\") for people who do not have risk factors for serious disease.\n\nIn March 2022, Pfizer [announced the launch](https:\/\/www.pfizer.com\/news\/press-release\/press-release-detail\/pfizer-initiates-phase-23-study-novel-covid-19-oral \"undefined\") of a clinical trial studying the safety and success of Paxlovid in children and teenagers between 6 and 17 years old. The results of that trial have not yet been released.\n\nIn 2022, when prescriptions for Paxlovid were initially on the rise, the treatment was “remains highly effective and is mainly well tolerated,” with the different variants, Dr. Zenobia Brown, medical director and vice president of population health care management at Northwell Health, told TIME. “However, we may be facing a situation where a longer course is warranted for some patients, especially those who receive the drug very early in their disease course and\/or are immunocompromised.”\n\nBut scientists are not all that [sure of its efficacy](https:\/\/www.cuimc.columbia.edu\/news\/how-paxlovid-resistance-can-emerge \"undefined\") as the virus continues to mutate. Research has shown that Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant EG.5, which is the dominant strain in the U.S. It is still not clear if Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, a coronavirus variant [first detected in late July](https:\/\/www.yalemedicine.org\/news\/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola \"undefined\") that has more than 30 mutations. Doctors say that means the virus has the “potential to bypass immune defenses both from natural infection and prior vaccination,” [according to Yale Medicine](https:\/\/www.yalemedicine.org\/news\/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola \"undefined\").\n\n**How can you get Paxlovid?**\n\nPaxlovid is currently authorized for use in people ages 12 and up, weighing at least 88 pounds, who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of developing severe illness. This includes individuals who have underlying conditions such as cancer or diabetes or [who are 50 or older](https:\/\/www.yalemedicine.org\/news\/13-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19 \"undefined\").\n\nIf you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA says you should talk to your doctor about using Paxlovid.\n\nAside from physicians, state-licensed pharmacists can also prescribe Paxlovid under the [emergency use authorization](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/155052\/download \"undefined\") issued by the FDA\n\n**What are the side effects of Paxlovid?**\n\nThere are a few side effects to watch out for. One is [dysgeusia](https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/health\/archive\/2022\/05\/pfizer-paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects\/629772\/ \"undefined\"), which negatively affects your sense of taste; it’s a side effect also listed for other drugs like antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and antihistamines. Over 5% of the participants in Pfizer’s clinical trial experienced this side effect.\n\nWhile each person’s experience can vary, many people who get this describe it as having a bitter or metallic taste in their mouths. “It tastes terrible—but not terrible enough to make most people stop therapy,” says Dr. Paul Sax, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.\n\nOther common [side effects](https:\/\/www.covid19oralrx-patient.com\/side-effects \"undefined\") include diarrhea, muscle aches, and high blood pressure. “These side effects are relatively minor, and the drug is well tolerated by most,” says Brown. “The larger issue with Paxlovid… is that the drug is metabolized by the same enzymes that metabolize many common medications. In some instances, those interactions can increase or decrease drug levels dangerously or reduce the amount of drug and efficacy of the Paxlovid.” For example, she points out that “patients who are on hormonal contraceptives are asked to use a backup method.”\n\nRitonavir can also cause [liver problems](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/155052\/download \"undefined\"), so patients with a history of liver problems or pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or [hepatitis](https:\/\/time.com\/6173477\/mysterious-hepatitis-outbreak-children\/ \"undefined\"), should talk to their doctor before taking the medicine. Paxlovid is also not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems, while those with moderate kidney issues may need a different dosage level.\n\nBoth active ingredients in Paxlovid may also interact with other medications—[such as](https:\/\/www.popsci.com\/health\/paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects-drug-interactions\/ \"undefined\") immunosuppressants for organ transplant recipients and blood thinners—so the [FDA advises people](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/155052\/download \"undefined\") to first talk to their doctor about any medications they are taking.\n\n**Can Paxlovid help with Long COVID?**\n\nThere is some evidence that Paxlovid can help with long COVID.\n\nAn [analysis of federal health data](https:\/\/medicine.wustl.edu\/news\/paxlovid-reduces-risk-of-long-term-health-problems-death-from-covid-19\/ \"undefined\") by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system in March found that Paxlovid decreased the probability of contracting [long COVID](https:\/\/time.com\/6265507\/long-covid-antivirals-paxlovid-metformin\/ \"undefined\") by 26% over the course of six months.\n\n“Our research reinforces such theories. It stands to reason that an antiviral drug—one that suppresses viral replication—may reduce the risk of long COVID,” [said](https:\/\/medicine.wustl.edu\/news\/paxlovid-reduces-risk-of-long-term-health-problems-death-from-covid-19\/#:~:text=The%20analysis%20showed%20that%20Paxlovid,%2C%E2%80%9D%20Al-Aly%20said. \"undefined\") senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a Washington University clinical epidemiologist.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Paxlovid as a COVID-19 Treatment: What You Should Know
Meta Description	Here's what to know about the drug, its efficacy, and who can get it.
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Boilerpipe Text	Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid—the first such pill to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May —has become the most common medicine used for treating adults who are at high-risk for experiencing a severe case of COVID-19. “It remains an important treatment option for people at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including those with prior immunity,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a May press release . With COVID-19 cases increasing again in the U.S. and Paxlovid becoming more widely available, it’s useful to understand a bit more about the drug, its efficacy, and who can get it. What is Paxlovid and how does it work? Paxlovid is made up of two medications : nirmatrelvir, which inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 protein from replicating, and ritonavir, which is best known as an HIV/AIDS treatment that is now used to stop antivirals such as nirmatrelvir from breaking down too quickly so your body can keep fighting the infection. Patients prescribed Paxlovid take a total of 30 pills: three pills twice a day for five days. How effective is Paxlovid for treating COVID-19? Based on studies conducted so far, Paxlovid should be prescribed within five days of symptoms appearing for the best chance of success. Studies have shown that Paxlovid has strong efficacy for treating COVID-19 for patients who are at-risk at developing a severe case. It is particularly effective among adults who are unvaccinated, had never had COVID-19, and were either 18 years of age and older and at risk of progressing to severe disease, or older than 60. A clinical trial that evaluated COVID-19’s effect on high risk patients referred to by the FDA as the EPIC-HR trial, showed that Paxlovid reduced the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths 28 days after contracting the virus by 86%. The study, completed between July and December 2021, looked at patients who were symptomatic and unvaccinated. Other studies also show that the drug has limited benefits for people who do not have risk factors for serious disease. In March 2022, Pfizer announced the launch of a clinical trial studying the safety and success of Paxlovid in children and teenagers between 6 and 17 years old. The results of that trial have not yet been released. In 2022, when prescriptions for Paxlovid were initially on the rise, the treatment was “remains highly effective and is mainly well tolerated,” with the different variants, Dr. Zenobia Brown, medical director and vice president of population health care management at Northwell Health, told TIME. “However, we may be facing a situation where a longer course is warranted for some patients, especially those who receive the drug very early in their disease course and/or are immunocompromised.” But scientists are not all that sure of its efficacy as the virus continues to mutate. Research has shown that Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant EG.5, which is the dominant strain in the U.S. It is still not clear if Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, a coronavirus variant first detected in late July that has more than 30 mutations. Doctors say that means the virus has the “potential to bypass immune defenses both from natural infection and prior vaccination,” according to Yale Medicine . How can you get Paxlovid? Paxlovid is currently authorized for use in people ages 12 and up, weighing at least 88 pounds, who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of developing severe illness. This includes individuals who have underlying conditions such as cancer or diabetes or who are 50 or older . If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA says you should talk to your doctor about using Paxlovid. Aside from physicians, state-licensed pharmacists can also prescribe Paxlovid under the emergency use authorization issued by the FDA What are the side effects of Paxlovid? There are a few side effects to watch out for. One is dysgeusia , which negatively affects your sense of taste; it’s a side effect also listed for other drugs like antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and antihistamines. Over 5% of the participants in Pfizer’s clinical trial experienced this side effect. While each person’s experience can vary, many people who get this describe it as having a bitter or metallic taste in their mouths. “It tastes terrible—but not terrible enough to make most people stop therapy,” says Dr. Paul Sax, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Other common side effects include diarrhea, muscle aches, and high blood pressure. “These side effects are relatively minor, and the drug is well tolerated by most,” says Brown. “The larger issue with Paxlovid… is that the drug is metabolized by the same enzymes that metabolize many common medications. In some instances, those interactions can increase or decrease drug levels dangerously or reduce the amount of drug and efficacy of the Paxlovid.” For example, she points out that “patients who are on hormonal contraceptives are asked to use a backup method.” Ritonavir can also cause liver problems , so patients with a history of liver problems or pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or hepatitis , should talk to their doctor before taking the medicine. Paxlovid is also not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems, while those with moderate kidney issues may need a different dosage level. Both active ingredients in Paxlovid may also interact with other medications— such as immunosuppressants for organ transplant recipients and blood thinners—so the FDA advises people to first talk to their doctor about any medications they are taking. Can Paxlovid help with Long COVID? There is some evidence that Paxlovid can help with long COVID. An analysis of federal health data by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system in March found that Paxlovid decreased the probability of contracting long COVID by 26% over the course of six months. “Our research reinforces such theories. It stands to reason that an antiviral drug—one that suppresses viral replication—may reduce the risk of long COVID,” said senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a Washington University clinical epidemiologist.
Markdown	[Skip to Content](https://time.com/6175031/paxlovid-covid-19-treatment/#maincontent) - Menu Close [Subscribe](https://time.com/subscribe-header-time/) - [Health](https://time.com/section/health/) - [COVID-19](https://time.com/tag/covid-19/) # Here’s What You Need to Know About Paxlovid [ADD TIME ON GOOGLE](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://time.com) Show me more content from TIME on Google Search by [Kyla Mandel](https://time.com/author/kyla-mandel/) and [Solcyré Burga](https://time.com/author/solcyre-burga/) May 9, 2022 10:10 PM CUT ![Paxlovid-covid-19-treatment](https://gcp-na-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2aee729d03bec7cc/698a31b0929fad8f74bf893b/paxlovid-covid-19-treatment.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3%3A2) 01 March 2022, Berlin: The drug Paxlovid against Covid-19 from the manufacturer Pfizer is lying on a table. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa (Photo by Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images) 01 March 2022, Berlin: The drug Paxlovid against Covid-19 from the manufacturer Pfizer is lying on a table. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa (Photo by Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images)Fabian Sommer/picture alliance—Getty Images by [Kyla Mandel](https://time.com/author/kyla-mandel/) and [Solcyré Burga](https://time.com/author/solcyre-burga/) May 9, 2022 10:10 PM CUT Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid—the first such pill to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [in May](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults "undefined")—has become the most common medicine used for treating adults who are at high-risk for experiencing a severe case of COVID-19. Clinical trials have shown it to be effective: a February 2022 report found that it [reduced the risk of progression to severe Covid-19](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2118542 "undefined") in most patients by 89%. “It remains an important treatment option for people at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including those with prior immunity,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, [in a May press release](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults "undefined"). With COVID-19 cases increasing again in the U.S. and Paxlovid becoming more widely available, it’s useful to understand a bit more about the drug, its efficacy, and who can get it. ## What is Paxlovid and how does it work? Paxlovid is made up of [two medications](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/12-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19 "undefined"): nirmatrelvir, which inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 protein from replicating, and ritonavir, which is best known as an HIV/AIDS treatment that is now used to stop antivirals such as nirmatrelvir from breaking down too quickly so your body can keep fighting the infection. Patients prescribed Paxlovid take a total of 30 pills: three pills twice a day for five days. ## How effective is Paxlovid for treating COVID-19? Based on studies conducted so far, Paxlovid should be prescribed within five days of symptoms appearing for the best chance of success. Studies [have shown that](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults "undefined") Paxlovid has strong efficacy for treating COVID-19 for patients who are at-risk at developing a severe case. It is particularly effective among adults who are unvaccinated, had never had COVID-19, and were either 18 years of age and older and at risk of progressing to severe disease, or older than 60. Advertisement A clinical trial that evaluated COVID-19’s effect on high risk patients referred to by the FDA as the EPIC-HR trial, [showed that](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults "undefined") Paxlovid reduced the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths 28 days after contracting the virus by 86%. The study, completed between July and December 2021, looked at patients who were symptomatic and unvaccinated. Other studies [also show that the drug has limited benefits](https://time.com/6198667/paxlovid-who-should-take-covid-19/ "undefined") for people who do not have risk factors for serious disease. In March 2022, Pfizer [announced the launch](https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-initiates-phase-23-study-novel-covid-19-oral "undefined") of a clinical trial studying the safety and success of Paxlovid in children and teenagers between 6 and 17 years old. The results of that trial have not yet been released. In 2022, when prescriptions for Paxlovid were initially on the rise, the treatment was “remains highly effective and is mainly well tolerated,” with the different variants, Dr. Zenobia Brown, medical director and vice president of population health care management at Northwell Health, told TIME. “However, we may be facing a situation where a longer course is warranted for some patients, especially those who receive the drug very early in their disease course and/or are immunocompromised.” Advertisement But scientists are not all that [sure of its efficacy](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/how-paxlovid-resistance-can-emerge "undefined") as the virus continues to mutate. Research has shown that Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant EG.5, which is the dominant strain in the U.S. It is still not clear if Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, a coronavirus variant [first detected in late July](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola "undefined") that has more than 30 mutations. Doctors say that means the virus has the “potential to bypass immune defenses both from natural infection and prior vaccination,” [according to Yale Medicine](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola "undefined"). ## How can you get Paxlovid? Paxlovid is currently authorized for use in people ages 12 and up, weighing at least 88 pounds, who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of developing severe illness. This includes individuals who have underlying conditions such as cancer or diabetes or [who are 50 or older](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/13-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19 "undefined"). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA says you should talk to your doctor about using Paxlovid. Advertisement Aside from physicians, state-licensed pharmacists can also prescribe Paxlovid under the [emergency use authorization](https://www.fda.gov/media/155052/download "undefined") issued by the FDA ## What are the side effects of Paxlovid? There are a few side effects to watch out for. One is [dysgeusia](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/pfizer-paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects/629772/ "undefined"), which negatively affects your sense of taste; it’s a side effect also listed for other drugs like antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and antihistamines. Over 5% of the participants in Pfizer’s clinical trial experienced this side effect. While each person’s experience can vary, many people who get this describe it as having a bitter or metallic taste in their mouths. “It tastes terrible—but not terrible enough to make most people stop therapy,” says Dr. Paul Sax, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Other common [side effects](https://www.covid19oralrx-patient.com/side-effects "undefined") include diarrhea, muscle aches, and high blood pressure. “These side effects are relatively minor, and the drug is well tolerated by most,” says Brown. “The larger issue with Paxlovid… is that the drug is metabolized by the same enzymes that metabolize many common medications. In some instances, those interactions can increase or decrease drug levels dangerously or reduce the amount of drug and efficacy of the Paxlovid.” For example, she points out that “patients who are on hormonal contraceptives are asked to use a backup method.” Advertisement Ritonavir can also cause [liver problems](https://www.fda.gov/media/155052/download "undefined"), so patients with a history of liver problems or pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or [hepatitis](https://time.com/6173477/mysterious-hepatitis-outbreak-children/ "undefined"), should talk to their doctor before taking the medicine. Paxlovid is also not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems, while those with moderate kidney issues may need a different dosage level. Both active ingredients in Paxlovid may also interact with other medications—[such as](https://www.popsci.com/health/paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects-drug-interactions/ "undefined") immunosuppressants for organ transplant recipients and blood thinners—so the [FDA advises people](https://www.fda.gov/media/155052/download "undefined") to first talk to their doctor about any medications they are taking. ## Can Paxlovid help with Long COVID? There is some evidence that Paxlovid can help with long COVID. An [analysis of federal health data](https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/paxlovid-reduces-risk-of-long-term-health-problems-death-from-covid-19/ "undefined") by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system in March found that Paxlovid decreased the probability of contracting [long COVID](https://time.com/6265507/long-covid-antivirals-paxlovid-metformin/ "undefined") by 26% over the course of six months. Advertisement “Our research reinforces such theories. It stands to reason that an antiviral drug—one that suppresses viral replication—may reduce the risk of long COVID,” [said](https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/paxlovid-reduces-risk-of-long-term-health-problems-death-from-covid-19/#:~:text=The%20analysis%20showed%20that%20Paxlovid,%2C%E2%80%9D%20Al-Aly%20said. "undefined") senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a Washington University clinical epidemiologist. ## Must-Reads from TIME - [Iranian President Pens Open Letter to American People](https://time.com/article/2026/04/01/iran-war-president-open-letter-american-people/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) - [‘Safe and sound’: How a U.S. Airman Shot Down in Iran Was Rescued From a Mountain Crevice](https://time.com/article/2026/04/05/-safe-and-sound-how-a-u-s-airman-shot-down-in-iran-was-rescued-from-a-mountain-crevice/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) - [What to Know About the Army Chief Hegseth Ousted—and the General Who’s Taking Over](https://time.com/article/2026/04/03/hegseth-army-firings-chief-of-staff/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) - [Inside Trump's Search for a Way Out of the Iran War](https://time.com/article/2026/04/02/trump-iran-off-ramp/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) - [Trump Calls Vance the ‘Fraud Czar.’ Here’s What We Know About the Role](https://time.com/article/2026/04/03/trump-vance-fraud-czar/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) - [Pam Bondi Ousted as Trump's Attorney General](https://time.com/article/2026/04/02/pam-bondi-out-as-trump-s-attorney-general/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) - [Iranian President Pens Open Letter to American People](https://time.com/article/2026/04/01/iran-war-president-open-letter-american-people/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) - [‘Safe and sound’: How a U.S. Airman Shot Down in Iran Was Rescued From a Mountain Crevice](https://time.com/article/2026/04/05/-safe-and-sound-how-a-u-s-airman-shot-down-in-iran-was-rescued-from-a-mountain-crevice/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) - [What to Know About the Army Chief Hegseth Ousted—and the General Who’s Taking Over](https://time.com/article/2026/04/03/hegseth-army-firings-chief-of-staff/?utm_rs=IL_GNBazf4RR9GSs3N-N37Btw) Read More ## Sections - [Home](https://time.com/) - [Politics](https://time.com/section/politics/) - [Health](https://time.com/section/health/) - [AI](https://time.com/tag/ai/) - [World](https://time.com/section/world/) - [Business](https://time.com/section/business/) - [Science](https://time.com/section/science/) - [Climate](https://time.com/section/climate/) - [Ideas](https://time.com/section/ideas/) - [Entertainment](https://time.com/section/entertainment/) - [Sports](https://time.com/section/sports/) - [Technology](https://time.com/tag/technology/) - [Newsletters](https://time.com/newsletters/?source=TD_Footer_Link&utm_source_pg=web&utm_medium_pg=footer&utm_campaign_pg=footer&utm_content_pg=footer-inside-time) ## More - [The TIME Vault](https://time.com/vault/) - [TIME Africa](https://africa.time.com/) - [TIME France](https://www.timefrance.fr/) - [TIME For Kids](https://www.timeforkids.com/) - [TIME Futures](https://time.com/collection/time-co2-futures/) - [TIME Studios](https://studios.time.com/) - [Video](https://time.com/collections/time-video/) - [Red Border](https://redborder.time.com/) - [Supplied Partner Content](https://partnercontent.time.com/) ## About Us - [Our Mission](https://time.com/about-time/) - [Contact the Editors](mailto:feedback@time.com) - [Press Room](https://time.com/section/press-room/) - [Media Kit](https://time.com/mediakit/) - [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.parsintl.com/publication/time) - [Masthead](https://time.com/time-masthead/) - [Careers](https://time.com/join-time/) - [Site Map](https://time.com/sitemap.xml) - [Modern Slavery Statement](https://time.com/modern-slavery-statement/) ## Your Subscriptions - [Subscribe](https://time.com/subscribe-footer-time/) - [Access My Digital Magazine](https://geo.ema.gs/time_digital) - [Manage My Subscription](https://support.time.com/) - [Global Help Center](https://support.time.com/) - [Buy an Issue](https://magazineshop.us/collections/time-magazine/) - [Shop the Cover Store](https://timecoverstore.com/) - [Give a Gift](https://time.com/giveagift/) © 2026 TIME USA, LLC. 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Readable Markdown	Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid—the first such pill to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [in May](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults "undefined")—has become the most common medicine used for treating adults who are at high-risk for experiencing a severe case of COVID-19. “It remains an important treatment option for people at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including those with prior immunity,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, [in a May press release](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults "undefined"). With COVID-19 cases increasing again in the U.S. and Paxlovid becoming more widely available, it’s useful to understand a bit more about the drug, its efficacy, and who can get it. What is Paxlovid and how does it work? Paxlovid is made up of [two medications](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/12-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19 "undefined"): nirmatrelvir, which inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 protein from replicating, and ritonavir, which is best known as an HIV/AIDS treatment that is now used to stop antivirals such as nirmatrelvir from breaking down too quickly so your body can keep fighting the infection. Patients prescribed Paxlovid take a total of 30 pills: three pills twice a day for five days. How effective is Paxlovid for treating COVID-19? Based on studies conducted so far, Paxlovid should be prescribed within five days of symptoms appearing for the best chance of success. Studies [have shown that](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults "undefined") Paxlovid has strong efficacy for treating COVID-19 for patients who are at-risk at developing a severe case. It is particularly effective among adults who are unvaccinated, had never had COVID-19, and were either 18 years of age and older and at risk of progressing to severe disease, or older than 60. A clinical trial that evaluated COVID-19’s effect on high risk patients referred to by the FDA as the EPIC-HR trial, [showed that](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-antiviral-treatment-covid-19-adults "undefined") Paxlovid reduced the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths 28 days after contracting the virus by 86%. The study, completed between July and December 2021, looked at patients who were symptomatic and unvaccinated. Other studies [also show that the drug has limited benefits](https://time.com/6198667/paxlovid-who-should-take-covid-19/ "undefined") for people who do not have risk factors for serious disease. In March 2022, Pfizer [announced the launch](https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-initiates-phase-23-study-novel-covid-19-oral "undefined") of a clinical trial studying the safety and success of Paxlovid in children and teenagers between 6 and 17 years old. The results of that trial have not yet been released. In 2022, when prescriptions for Paxlovid were initially on the rise, the treatment was “remains highly effective and is mainly well tolerated,” with the different variants, Dr. Zenobia Brown, medical director and vice president of population health care management at Northwell Health, told TIME. “However, we may be facing a situation where a longer course is warranted for some patients, especially those who receive the drug very early in their disease course and/or are immunocompromised.” But scientists are not all that [sure of its efficacy](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/how-paxlovid-resistance-can-emerge "undefined") as the virus continues to mutate. Research has shown that Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant EG.5, which is the dominant strain in the U.S. It is still not clear if Paxlovid works against Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, a coronavirus variant [first detected in late July](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola "undefined") that has more than 30 mutations. Doctors say that means the virus has the “potential to bypass immune defenses both from natural infection and prior vaccination,” [according to Yale Medicine](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola "undefined"). How can you get Paxlovid? Paxlovid is currently authorized for use in people ages 12 and up, weighing at least 88 pounds, who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of developing severe illness. This includes individuals who have underlying conditions such as cancer or diabetes or [who are 50 or older](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/13-things-to-know-paxlovid-covid-19 "undefined"). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA says you should talk to your doctor about using Paxlovid. Aside from physicians, state-licensed pharmacists can also prescribe Paxlovid under the [emergency use authorization](https://www.fda.gov/media/155052/download "undefined") issued by the FDA What are the side effects of Paxlovid? There are a few side effects to watch out for. One is [dysgeusia](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/pfizer-paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects/629772/ "undefined"), which negatively affects your sense of taste; it’s a side effect also listed for other drugs like antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and antihistamines. Over 5% of the participants in Pfizer’s clinical trial experienced this side effect. While each person’s experience can vary, many people who get this describe it as having a bitter or metallic taste in their mouths. “It tastes terrible—but not terrible enough to make most people stop therapy,” says Dr. Paul Sax, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Other common [side effects](https://www.covid19oralrx-patient.com/side-effects "undefined") include diarrhea, muscle aches, and high blood pressure. “These side effects are relatively minor, and the drug is well tolerated by most,” says Brown. “The larger issue with Paxlovid… is that the drug is metabolized by the same enzymes that metabolize many common medications. In some instances, those interactions can increase or decrease drug levels dangerously or reduce the amount of drug and efficacy of the Paxlovid.” For example, she points out that “patients who are on hormonal contraceptives are asked to use a backup method.” Ritonavir can also cause [liver problems](https://www.fda.gov/media/155052/download "undefined"), so patients with a history of liver problems or pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or [hepatitis](https://time.com/6173477/mysterious-hepatitis-outbreak-children/ "undefined"), should talk to their doctor before taking the medicine. Paxlovid is also not recommended for patients with severe kidney problems, while those with moderate kidney issues may need a different dosage level. Both active ingredients in Paxlovid may also interact with other medications—[such as](https://www.popsci.com/health/paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects-drug-interactions/ "undefined") immunosuppressants for organ transplant recipients and blood thinners—so the [FDA advises people](https://www.fda.gov/media/155052/download "undefined") to first talk to their doctor about any medications they are taking. Can Paxlovid help with Long COVID? There is some evidence that Paxlovid can help with long COVID. An [analysis of federal health data](https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/paxlovid-reduces-risk-of-long-term-health-problems-death-from-covid-19/ "undefined") by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system in March found that Paxlovid decreased the probability of contracting [long COVID](https://time.com/6265507/long-covid-antivirals-paxlovid-metformin/ "undefined") by 26% over the course of six months. “Our research reinforces such theories. It stands to reason that an antiviral drug—one that suppresses viral replication—may reduce the risk of long COVID,” [said](https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/paxlovid-reduces-risk-of-long-term-health-problems-death-from-covid-19/#:~:text=The%20analysis%20showed%20that%20Paxlovid,%2C%E2%80%9D%20Al-Aly%20said. "undefined") senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a Washington University clinical epidemiologist.
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