Dosage and strength
Nirmatrelvir comes as 150mg tablets and ritonavir comes as 100mg tablets.
One Paxlovid dose is:
- 2 nirmatrelvir tablets
- 1 ritonavir tablet
You'll take 1 dose (2 tablets of nirmatrelvir and 1 tablet of ritonavir) twice a day for 5 days.
How to take it
It's important that you start taking Paxlovid within 5 days of getting COVID-19 symptoms.
Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew, break or crush the tablets. You can take them with or without food.
Take one dose of 3 tablets in the morning and one dose of 3 tablets in the evening for 5 days.
Leave around 12 hours between your morning dose and evening dose.
How long to take it for
Take Paxlovid for 5 days. Even if you start to feel better, it's important you complete the course.
If you forget to take it
It's important not to skip a dose as Paxlovid is most effective when taken early on.
If you forget to take one of your tablets but remember within 8 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you can. Still take your next dose at the usual time.
If you forget to take your dose and it's been more than 8 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed one.
If you take too much
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you take more than your prescribed dose of Paxlovid
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring the Paxlovid packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.
Stopping Paxlovid
Do not stop taking Paxlovid before you have finished all 5 days of the course without talking to your doctor first.
If you stop taking Paxlovid, it may no longer protect you from the severe symptoms of COVID-19.