Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir
WHAT IS THIS DRUG USED FOR?
It is used in certain people to treat COVID-19.
CONSUMER INFORMATION USE AND DISCLAIMER
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
WARNING: This drug interacts with many other drugs. The chance of this drug’s side effects may be raised or how well this drug works may be lowered. The chance of the other drugs’ side effects may also be raised. This may include very bad, life-threatening, or deadly side effects. Check with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your other drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins).; If this drug interacts with any of your other drugs, you will need to talk with your doctor to be sure that the benefits of taking this drug are more than the risks.
WHAT DO I NEED TO TELL MY DOCTOR BEFORE I TAKE THIS DRUG?
If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.; If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.; If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, or seizures. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I NEED TO KNOW OR DO WHILE I TAKE THIS DRUG?
Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. ; Do not take this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor or pharmacist.; If you have HIV infection, talk with your doctor.; If you have kidney problems, you may need to take a lower dose of this drug. Your pharmacist may remove tablets from the blister card in order to make the right dose. Be sure you know what dose of this drug to take. If you have questions about your dose or how to take it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.; After getting this drug, you must continue to isolate and do other things to control infection. Wear a mask, social distance, do not share personal items, clean and disinfect high touch surfaces, and wash hands often as you have been told by your doctor.; Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking this drug.; Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
WHAT ARE SOME SIDE EFFECTS THAT I NEED TO CALL MY DOCTOR ABOUT RIGHT AWAY?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.; Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.; Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.; A severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause severe health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS DRUG?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Change in taste.; Diarrhea.; Muscle pain. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
HOW IS THIS DRUG BEST TAKEN?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.; Take with or without food.; This drug comes in a blister card that has both the morning and the evening dose in it. Be sure you know how many tablets to take for each dose and which tablets go together. If you take this drug the wrong way, it may not work as well or you could have more side effects. Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how to take this drug.; Do not take this drug out of the blister card until you are ready to take your dose.; Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.; Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.; It is important that you do not miss or skip a dose of this drug during treatment.
WHAT DO I DO IF I MISS A DOSE?
Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.; If it has been more than 8 hours since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.; Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.; If you are not sure what to do after a missed dose, call the doctor or pharmacist.
HOW DO I STORE AND/OR THROW OUT THIS DRUG?
Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.; Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.; Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
GENERAL DRUG FACTS
If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. ; Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.; Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.; If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.