From the FDA Drug Label
The 5-day treatment course of PAXLOVID should be initiated as soon as possible after a diagnosis of COVID-19 has been made, and within 5 days of symptom onset The recommended dosage for PAXLOVID is 300 mg nirmatrelvir (two 150 mg tablets) with 100 mg ritonavir (one 100 mg tablet) with all 3 tablets taken together orally twice daily for 5 days. Completion of the full 5-day treatment course and continued isolation in accordance with public health recommendations are important to maximize viral clearance and minimize transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) should be taken for 5 days, with the treatment course initiated as soon as possible after a diagnosis of COVID-19 has been made, and within 5 days of symptom onset 1.
From the Research
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) should be taken for 5 days. The standard regimen consists of taking two 150mg tablets of nirmatrelvir and one 100mg tablet of ritonavir together, twice daily for the full 5-day course. It's essential to complete the entire 5-day treatment even if you start feeling better before the course is finished. Paxlovid should be started as soon as possible after a COVID-19 diagnosis and within 5 days of symptom onset for maximum effectiveness, as supported by a study published in 2025 2. The medication works by preventing the SARS-CoV-2 virus from replicating in your body, which helps reduce the severity of infection and lowers the risk of hospitalization and death.
Some key points to consider when taking Paxlovid include:
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible within 8 hours of the scheduled time; if more than 8 hours have passed, skip that dose and take the next one at the regular time.
- Never double up on doses to make up for a missed one.
- Some patients may require dose adjustments if they have kidney problems, so it's essential to inform your healthcare provider about any existing medical conditions, as noted in a study from 2024 3.
- Paxlovid has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization and death in patients with COVID-19, including those who are vaccinated, with a study from 2025 finding a 39% reduction in hospitalization risk and a 61% reduction in death risk 2.
- However, disparities in Paxlovid treatment rates have been observed, with lower rates among certain racial and ethnic groups, as well as in socially vulnerable communities, highlighting the need for equitable distribution of this effective treatment 2.