# Paxlovid Is it worth the risks? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Created:** [July 8, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635 "2025-07-08T17:52:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/1 "2025-07-08T17:52:28Z")
I Sunday I had sore a throat, nasal drip and fever andTested negative Monday morning went Urgent care and tested positive the women prescribed paxlovid. After read all the side affects I’m nervous, Because of my age 72 and blood work was over by 13 points I believe she prescribed this to protect her self….I maybe wrong it still a sore throat….Any help would be appreciated!This not about money my copay is 21 dollars ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/2 "2025-07-08T18:02:10Z")
It’s considered very safe. Did urgent care doctor know of all the drugs you take? Are you on any immunosuppressants? Did the urgent care take a good history? If you’re worried call your PCP and inquire. Why would the doc need to protect herself? From who? She didn’t give you Covid. She was following protocol. Maybe she thought a long drawn out Covid infection would be harder on 72yo than the side effects of Paxlovid would be. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/3 "2025-07-08T18:09:34Z")
I took Paxlovid two years ago, when I got Covid for the first time. It certainly seemed to keep me from developing serious symptoms – I never went past a sore throat and general aches. My wife caught it at the same time as me, and opted against going to the clinic to get a Paxlovid prescription, and Covid made her pretty sick for several weeks. I agree, talk with your PCP about it, rather than trying to research possible side effects yourself. I know that Paxlovid is contra-indicated for people who are on certain medications, but I also believe that clinics and doctors check against what you’re currently on when you are prescribed it. ---
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/4 "2025-07-08T18:10:13Z")
Just small cholesterol pill and Allegra for my sinuses drip! I’ve had 2 bouts with COVID both stopped advancing after sore throat fever 101 and nasal drips in 6 to 7 days I was good as new. I think my wife is going to get the prescription so she a good Conscience also ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/5 "2025-07-08T18:11:38Z")
Take the Paxlovid. It’s safe. (And stay home or wear a mask, use handsanitizer. I’m counting on you to keep ME from getting Covid) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/6 "2025-07-08T18:12:05Z")
The only issue I had with it was a metallic aftertaste. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/7 "2025-07-08T18:19:36Z")
I should note that I did apparently suffer “Paxlovid rebound”: after finishing the Paxlovid regimen, I was feeling better, and I was testing negative for Covid. But, about a week later, I started feeling lousy again, and got bad sinus headaches; at that point, I tested positive again, and felt sicker then than I did in the original infection. This “rebound” happens in a minority of people who take Paxlovid, and my understanding is that you aren’t supposed to take Paxlovid again during such a rebound. ---
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/8 "2025-07-08T18:32:42Z")
- Will do ! Thank you!\* ---
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/9 "2025-07-08T18:33:32Z")
Thanx ! Appreciated ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/10 "2025-07-08T22:27:18Z")
My hubster is on a ridiculous amount of medications for a bunch of things, he also has Parkinson’s. He got Covid about 3-4 moths ago. I called his pc and she prescribed Paxlovid. He did well, had a very mild case thank dog. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2025, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/11 "2025-07-09T06:17:49Z")
I came down with Covid 3 weeks ago, and the doc high recommended Paxlovid at around day 5 from first symptoms. 5 days is the longest recommended time to start. I took it. Not sure if it was the Paxlovid or just the natural course of covid, but if I had waited a day to see the doc about my “seasonal allergies” I wouldn’t have gone in. Day 6 was much better, and haven’t noticed any lingering covid symptons. I had covid 18 months into the pandemic. Wiped me out for a week, and took another 2 weeks to be back at 100%. The recent bout, and I had a booster in Nov 2024, felt like kinda bad seasonal allergies that didn’t get better with Allegra. So, this time was far milder. I’m over 60. ---
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/12 "2025-07-10T20:17:20Z")
Well my Covid is on the other side of the mountain my temperature is back to normal throat is 90% better, chest and abdomen from coughing are on the mend. As far as the Paxlovid after 2 cycles on Tuesday I developed a case of diarrhea that likened a prep for a colonoscopy ! So I changed course and now Thursday afternoon feel pretty good with an appetite,Oh frozen ice pops were good for throat soreness …I will say if all the fluids that I speculated in cup had gone to my lungs this could been much worse! This not an illness to take lightly, It is not a topic with the government who do not offer test kits anymore it makes it much worse and it’s not just going to go away ! Thank you to all for your appreciated advice and experience! Joe Pockets ---
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/13 "2025-07-10T20:21:11Z")
I will test every other day to see when I test negative. Walmart has 5 tests for 25 dollars ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/14 "2025-07-15T02:12:39Z")
The last time I had Covid, years ago, I asked the doctor about it. I have AFib and I’m on a blood thinner, and she said it was not a good idea for me. Fortunately I was well vaxxed and it went away quickly with no side effects, but not everyone can take Paxlovid. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/15 "2025-07-15T02:42:21Z")
> [@JoePockets](#): > > Walmart has 5 tests for 25 dollars Whoa, that’s high. Our local (Texas) grocery store HEB has them for $9.00. When I got covid two years ago, I didn’t take Paxlovid and I got over it pretty quickly. I had had all the vaccines that were available at that time. Symptoms–coughing and sore throat–only lasted a few days but I continued to test positive for about 10 days. I was right in the middle of moving into The Home so I couldn’t isolate. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/16 "2025-07-15T06:46:54Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Whoa, that’s high. Our local (Texas) grocery store HEB has them for $9.00. If I’m understanding @JoePockets correctly, he was saying that his Walmart has **five tests** for $25. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/17 "2025-07-15T14:47:03Z")
Okay, sorry. Misread. That IS a very good price. I hope it’s not time to stock up again… 😷 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/18 "2025-07-15T15:00:27Z")
> [@JoePockets](#): > > I will test every other day to see when I test negative. Walmart has 5 tests for 25 dollars I wouldn’t overdo the testing. False negatives up to 20% of the time have been reported with home tests, so determining whether you’ve been “cured” on that basis is fraught with uncertainty. Paxlovid is regarded as having a good safety profile; as it’s a prescription drug, your doc should be able to evaluate appropriateness and any contraindications. Mrs. J. and I had Covid last year and took Paxlovid after positive Covid home testing. We both had the equivalent of bad colds lasting over a week, and I had Paxlovid rebound. In the event of another Covid bout, I would probably take Paxlovid again. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/19 "2025-07-15T15:19:12Z")
The “good” thing about the metallic aftertaste side effect is that, at least for me, it didn’t seem to alter the taste of food or even be present while eating or drinking. So it’s not like your eggs taste like eggs and aluminum foil. It just tastes like you’re suckin’ on foil when not eating. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635/20 "2025-07-15T15:29:37Z")
I’ve never bought a test kit but have requested the free ones from the federal government every time the window was opened, so I still have test kits at home. (Also, a couple of times when I suspected I had COVID, I went to an urgent care clinic for them to test instead. They told me that the test they use is more accurate than the at-home tests.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paxlovid-is-it-worth-the-risks/1020635.md?page=2)