Paxlovid misdosing

January 19, 2024 8:01 AM

Tuesday morning I tested positive for Covid. I called my healthcare provider and in the afternoon they gave me a prescription. I took my first dose about 7:30pm on Tuesday. Wednesday I took a dose at 6am when I woke up. Then I got confused and thought it was three doses a day. It’s supposed to be three pills, twice a day for five days. But I was thinking it was 3 a day, so I thought it should be every 8 hours, so I took a dose at 2pm, and 10pm. This morning after taking a dose at 6am, I counted and realized I didn’t have enough for five days, and realized my mistake. From here on I can take two doses a day spaced out 12 hours, but I’m wondering if I’m now short a dose. Wondering if I’m in danger of a rebound.
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

You’re in danger of rebound regardless, but it’s still worth it, I think, to reduce risk of long covid or hospitalization/death.

In our family it’s been 3 of 5 folks who took it got rebound, but the rebound hasn’t been bad other than being annoying at delaying the end of the illness.

I don’t know specifically what could happen spacing the doses too close together. Good luck and hope you dodge the rebound.
posted by creiszhanson at 8:08 AM on January 19

Are you feeling well enough to call your doctor and/or pharmacy and see what they recommend? That would be my move.
posted by epj at 8:30 AM on January 19 [8 favorites]

Here's the recommended schedule for the first 5 doses

Here's what you did

So it looks to me like if you take a dose at 7:30 pm tonight and then every 12 hours you'll be exactly where you should be. But you will still be short a dose, so maybe call a medical professional to see if that's ok.
posted by credulous at 9:06 AM on January 19 [1 favorite]

Yeah, call your doctor or pharmacist. The latest advice on rebound is that it isn't associated with Paxlovid or other anti-virals any more strongly than not being treated, so I think you can set the concern about heightened risk of rebound aside.
posted by EvaDestruction at 10:41 AM on January 19 [3 favorites]

Hello, fellow Paxlovid-taker. I tested positive Tuesday morning also, and I did a quick spin through recent (quality) info about Paxlovid and about rebounds. Everything I bumped into said, in essence “rebounds happen with and without Paxlovid.” I am personally scheduling time/mentally preparing for a rebound after the meds are done.

If I were you, I would contact the doc to explain the situation and determine if they have other advice—whether it’s “you’re good,” “get a new scrip and only take one dose,” “come in and get a free sample (?),” or something else. Good luck.
posted by cupcakeninja at 2:40 PM on January 19

Call your doctor, or send a mychart message if you're coughing too much to call, but you're probably fine. On the off chance you have Paxlovid mouth, Werther's Originals really help.
posted by notjustthefish at 2:45 PM on January 19 [1 favorite]