About the Anti-Viral Treatment for COVID: Paxlovid

Note: All statistics and guidelines are current as of August 11, 2022.

Public interest in Paxlovid, the anti-viral treatment against COVID, has spiked recently, with medical providers and clinics receiving many calls from patients with COVID. Paxlovid is effective at lowering the risk of hospitalization and death for those who have COVID and who are at higher risk.  It does also, however, have important side effects. For those reasons, it has been authorized for use only by people who meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be 12 and older and weigh at least 88 pounds

• Have a positive COVID test result and be within five days of the onset of symptoms

• Be at high risk of developing severe or life-threatening COVID

The list of ‘high risk’ medical conditions is similar to that used in the early days of COVID vaccination efforts and includes those with cancer, heart disease, lung disease and more. See the full list from the CDC here.

If you cannot answer “yes” to all of the items above, we cannot prescribe Paxlovid. (In time, these requirements may change.)

If you are eligible for Paxlovid, your provider will review your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and supplements. Paxlovid interacts with many medications, including common ones such as blood thinners, cholesterol medicines, St. John’s Wort and others. Your provider’s recommendation will depend on your health history.

For more information about Paxlovid, visit the US Health & Human Services page about oral antivirals. It covers side effects, pregnancy, breastfeeding and other situations. Read to the end of the page: it also discusses options if you do not qualify for an oral antiviral because of eligibility or have a health condition that may not be suitable for Paxlovid.