Paxlovid - process, side effects, tips please!

[Sunshinebug]

I started on Paxlovid last night after the Covid finally caught up with me. Christ the metallic taste is quite possibly worse than the Covid.

Tips please on dealing with this and positive thoughts that it will all improve soon as I feel dreadful. I’ve tried sugar free sweets, doesn’t quite cut it plus I’m really tired and I don’t want to fall asleep eating one and choke!

For those looking for antiviral info ….
Assessment is one or two stage depending on what is on the system. I’ve had a few issues when having boosters etc so went straight to GP/111 rather than wait to see if they would contact me! The next stage is a hospital assessment. Everyone has this so even if eligible it didn’t automatically mean they will approve antivirals for you.

The GP: I phoned my GP straight after testing positive who referred me. They hadn’t done a referral before so receptionists started off saying call 111 and we went round in a circle for a bit but the GP thankfully knew what to do. You must submit your test result online. To note, I did not wait 24 hours to call the GP as the system suggests as I knew that you have to start the medication within 5 days of symptoms starting and mine had already started a few days before I tested positive. To note the GP has to tick specific conditions on the referral form.

The hospital: Within 5 hours of referral I had a 30 minute call back hospital phone appointment with a respiratory doctor who talked through my condition (they had my files) and symptoms. They talked through the options (I was only given one) and potential side effects and I decided to go ahead. Dispensing depends on symptoms, when they started, and if medication will cause issues/can be paused. Some medication would have to be stopped more than a few days due to how long it remains in the body, so this likely rules out anyone not being referred very swiftly from what I can tell.

Delivery: It took a further 30 hours due to just missing the pharmacy dispensary cut off on the first day. It arrived by ambulance taxi, after 9pm. There aren’t communications during this time so it is a bit anxiety provoking when you’re on a deadline!

How did it go OP? I start this morning (if it's delivered).

Hi, I was feeling better within 2-3 days (as in no longer feeling like pneumonia). Metallic taste thankfully went within 2 days of finishing course. I did find that only water or prosecco was drinkable (although it tasted of pineapple juice haha). Hope you feel better fast.

Hi OP,

I'm glad you're doing better. Our family has been covid free and unvaccinated. My, normally healthy, youngest son started showing symptoms on Friday and Saturday (August 26th & 27th). He's 33.

Today, (Monday 29th August) he went to the clinic for a test and he's positive for covid. They gave him Paxlovid right away. Our pharmacist told him everyone with covid is being prescribed it here., including children. We're in the U.S.
I did some reading about it and it was originally developed for the unvaccinated and people with serious comorbidity.

I'm worried about his wife, as she's 36 weeks pregnant. She's supposed to be moving into our one bedroom guest apartment tonight, to isolate from my son. I bought her everything she needs to get by for a while.

It's really good to hear the Paxlovid helped you. I will tell my son about the metallic taste and that it doesn't last.

I was given paxlovid last April. It is a wonder drug and I started to feel better after 2 doses. But that bitter taste was unbearable. I forced myself to finish the 5 days dosages. The taste would wake me up at night. Used extra strong mints and chewing gum. Went to sleep with a mint in my mouth. The taste went the day after I stopped the paxlovid

Glad to hear the taste went after stopping the Paxlovid.
I’m currently on day 4 of taking it. Test looked almost negative this morning and my symptoms have really,
really improved. It’s a wonder drug… but I’m eating a LOT of Polo mints to combat the revolting taste!
It’s making me pretty tired but other than that it’s been problem free for me. The hardest bit was the wait for it to be delivered, as after the chat I had with the doctors who were prescribing it, I just had no idea when it was going to turn up. So impressed that it was couriered to me, though and I took my first dose within 36 hours of my positive test.
Hope you’re all feeling well.

I'm adding my story here in a bid to help others. Had to stop it after 3 doses as it made me vomit non stop and have raging upset tummy. The taste in the mouth was unbearable but not a reason to stop it alone. For me it's been horrific. Be very wary if you have any IBD issues.

hope you feel better soon.

great anyone can have it in US.

despite being on ECV list, my consultant says I don’t qualify for antivirals and Gp will not speak to me, as never get pass receptionist triage to speak to them to ask. Well I have 5 different consultants, but nope! Good job I get 6mths full sick pay - am sure anti virals would be cheaper than nhs staff off!

I am immunosuppressed and qualify for treatment. Last year I was horribly ill with covid, I'd had two astra zeneka at the time. Ended up in hospital and was 3 months before fully recovered.

I tested positive again last month after having 3 more vaccine doses (though not my autumn booster).
When I was contacted by the hospital there was a long discussion. I was minded to take a risk and not to have the treatment and see if 5 doses of vaccine and one of covid gave me any protection. The doctor said that all the treatments had potentially unpleasant side effects and supported my decision. I was given advice on what to do if I became unwell.

My second covid infection was just like a bad cold and I was well in a week so my gamble paid off. None of the symptons were the same. Possibly this was because it was omicron or more likely my immune system was prepared.

That’s good to know. Yes I think I would also consider not taking the treatment if I’m unlucky and caught Covid again. It was pretty nasty stuff! I would monitor my symptoms carefully and if milder then def do without.. Last time I was confident I had pneumonia within first 24 hours so will use that as my benchmark!.