Who Paxlovid is for
Paxlovid is an antiviral pill for COVID-19. It combines two medicines: nirmatrelvir, which stops the virus from multiplying, and ritonavir, which keeps nirmatrelvir working longer in your body. It’s taken for 5 days. Its job is to lower your chance of getting seriously ill. It won’t make your symptoms go away faster.
In Ontario it’s for adults with symptoms and a positive COVID-19 test (a rapid test counts) who are at higher risk of severe illness. That includes people 65 and older, people who are immunocompromised, and people at higher risk because of their age combined with other health conditions, as judged by a health care provider.
Ontario pharmacists can prescribe nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) to treat COVID-19 (O. Reg. 256/24).
Common symptoms
- A positive rapid antigen or PCR test
- Fever, cough, sore throat or runny nose
- Tiredness, muscle aches or headache
- Loss of taste or smell
How a Kennedy pharmacist can help
Bring or send us your full list of medications, including vitamins and anything over the counter. Ritonavir interacts with many common medicines, such as some cholesterol, heart, blood-thinner and seizure medications, and hormonal birth control. Your pharmacist will check every one, and may pause or adjust some while you take Paxlovid.
The pharmacist will also confirm your positive test, when symptoms started, and your risk factors, and may need recent kidney test results. If Paxlovid is right for you, they can prescribe it and we can fill it right away or deliver it, so you don’t have to sit in a waiting room while you’re sick.
If Paxlovid isn’t right for you, we’ll refer you to a doctor, nurse practitioner or Health811 to talk about other treatment.
If we think you’d be better served by a doctor, we’ll tell you, and help you figure out where to go.
Medicines a pharmacist may consider
- Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid)tablets taken twice a day for 5 days; the dose may be lower if your kidneys don’t work fully
Your pharmacist chooses based on your symptoms, age, pregnancy, allergies and other medications, so not every option is right for everyone. Brand names are examples. We often use the generic version, which works the same and usually costs less.
What it costs
The assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. It’s paid for by the province, just like a visit to your doctor.
If you’re prescribed something, the medicine is paid for like any other prescription: through your drug plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit (65+ and other eligible people), OHIP+ (under 25 without a private plan), or out of pocket.
Good to know: Paxlovid is covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit for eligible adults who meet the clinical criteria. If you’re not ODB-eligible, your private plan may cover it, or the Trillium Drug Program can help. First Nations and Inuit people may be covered through NIHB.
No Ontario health card? Text or call us first and we’ll tell you the fee before we start.
When to see a doctor instead
See your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or a nurse practitioner if:
- It’s been more than 5 days since your symptoms started
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have severe kidney or liver disease
- You’re under 18
- You take a medication that can’t safely be paused or combined with Paxlovid
- You’ve had an organ or stem cell transplant (contact your transplant centre first)
- Your symptoms are getting worse during treatment
Call 911 or go to the ER if:
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure
- Bluish lips or face
- New confusion, or trouble waking up or staying awake
Not sure? Call Health811 (dial 811) any time to speak with a registered nurse, free.