Health
Ask a health expert: ‘Should I take Paxlovid if I have COVID?’
If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, you might be wondering if it’s necessary to take an antiviral medication, such as Paxlovid.
Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) gained full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 25, 2023.
Another drug, Lagevrio (molnupiravir), is authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) — but does not have full approval.
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As noted on Pfizer’s website, Paxlovid is intended for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID symptoms to prevent severe illness, hospitalization or death in high-risk individuals.
Paxlovid, which must be prescribed by a doctor, works best when taken within five days of a COVID diagnosis or when the first symptoms appear, according to Sean Marchese, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center in Florida, who has a background in oncology clinical trials.
Sean Marchese, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center in Florida, offered guidance on when to take Paxlovid after a COVID diagnosis. (Sean Marchese/Getty Images)
“Patients should take the medication as soon as possible if they know or suspect they might have COVID to ensure it is most effective,” he told Fox News Digital.
For those who do not have significant risk factors for Paxlovid, Marchese said, “starting treatment as soon as possible is essential, even if you only have mild symptoms.”
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Similar to some antibiotics, Paxlovid is offered on a “dose card” that allows you to punch out 30 pills during treatment, said Marchese. The standard treatment is three pills twice daily over five days.
Some patients may require a second course of Paxlovid if they have a rebound or relapse of COVID-19.
Who should avoid Paxlovid?
For those who have had COVID for more than a week, Paxlovid may be less effective and could potentially be harmful, Marchese advised.
There is a higher risk of harm from taking Paxlovid for those who have organ damage, such as reduced kidney or liver function, according to Marchese.
Paxlovid works best when taken within five days of a COVID diagnosis or when the first symptoms appear, according to a registered nurse. There are other key facts about it that patients must know. (REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini/File Photo)
“Pediatric patients under 12 years of age or those weighing under 88 pounds should also avoid Paxlovid,” he said.
People with cancer should discuss potential interactions between their prescribed medications and Paxlovid, the expert advised.
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“Some cancer medications may inhibit the effects of Paxlovid,” Marchese said.
“Conversely, treatment with Paxlovid may reduce the effectiveness of some cancer medications.”
As Pfizer notes on its website, physicians should “consider the benefit of Paxlovid treatment in reducing hospitalization and death, and whether the risk of potential drug-drug interactions for an individual patient can be appropriately managed.”
“Vaccination efforts continue to be the most effective guard against COVID-19,” the nurse told Fox News Digital. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
People with HIV-1 infections should consult their provider before taking Paxlovid, the expert said, as the medication could interfere with long-term HIV treatment.
“Other interactions with Paxlovid include cholesterol-lowering statins, such as Lipitor,” he warned.
Potential side effects
Some patients report a “rebound” effect with Paxlovid, where they may test positive for COVID-19 after the course of treatment but show no symptoms, noted Marchese.
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“In these cases, reinfection is unlikely, and hospitalization or severe disease is rare,” he said.
Potential side effects of the antiviral medication include hives or rashes on the skin or trouble breathing.
Those who have had COVID for more than a week should consult a health care provider before taking Paxlovid, the expert advised. (iStock)
“Those with hypersensitivity disorder should be especially cautious and notify their providers immediately if they experience any side effects,” noted Marchese.
Other potential side effects include diarrhea, increased blood pressure, muscle aches and nausea.
“Vaccination efforts continue to be the most effective guard against COVID-19,” Marchese said. “People who have a higher risk of complications or immune deficiency, such as cancer patients, should stay vigilant with the COVID-19 vaccinations and their other recommended vaccines.”
Paxlovid was originally offered for free by the U.S. government. But as of Dec. 15, 2023, it transitioned to commercial distribution, according to the Health & Human Services website.
Pfizer also operates programs to ensure affordable access for patients.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Pfizer with the opportunity to provide additional comment.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
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Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.
The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.
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The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances in cancer survivors. (iStock)
The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.
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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue, the study found.
The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga’s beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training. (iStock)
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug,” lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.
The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug.”
The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.
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“The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%),” noted Choi.
“We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities.”
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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).
The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted. (iStock)
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.
Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted.
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“Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions,” the researcher advised. “They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community.”
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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.
The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
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