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Mechanism of Action DosingDosing InformationDose AdjustmentsDrug Interactions Trial Design & EfficacyTrial DesignEfficacySafety Profile & Tolerability  Support & ResourcesFrequently Asked QuestionsEducational ResourcesHCP Experience VideosNICE Guidance

Prescribing Information for PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) can be found here: Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Adverse event reporting information can be found at the bottom of the page. Please note, there are differences between the SmPC for Northern Ireland and the SmPC for Great Britain. Please refer to the appropriate SmPC depending on where you are based.

Paxlovid has a Conditional Marketing Authorisation in Great Britain. A Conditional Marketing Authorisation means that further evidence on this medicinal product is awaited. New information on this medicinal product will be reviewed when any relevant information of significance becomes available and at least every year and the product information will be updated as necessary.

For information tailored to where you are based, please select the appropriate tab below:
 

Great Britain

Northern Ireland

PAXLOVID Safety Profile & Tolerability

Adverse reactions with Paxlovid:1 

The safety profile of Paxlovid is based on data from three phase 2/3 randomized,
placebo-controlled trials in adult participants 18 years of age and older. Across the three studies, 3515 participants received a dose of Paxlovid and 2585 participants received a dose of placebo. The most common adverse reactions (≥1% incidence in the Paxlovid group and occurring at a greater frequency than in the placebo group) were dysgeusia (5.9% and 0.4%, respectively) and diarrhoea (2.9% and 1.9%, respectively).1

The safety profile of the product is based on adverse reactions reported in clinical trials or post-marketing.
 

System Organ Class Frequency category* Adverse reactions
Immune system disorders Uncommon Hypersensitivity**
Rare Anaphylaxis**
Nervous system disorders Common Dysgeusia, headache
Vascular disorders Uncommon Hypertension**
Gastrointestinal disorders Common Diarrhoea, nausea**
Uncommon Vomiting, abdominal pain**
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Rare Toxic epidermal necrolysis**, Stevens-Johnson syndrome**
General disorders and administration site conditions Rare Malaise**

*Frequencies are defined as follows: Very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000).
**Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) identified post-marketing.

Hypersensitivity reactions:2

Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions and serious skin reactions (including toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome) have been reported with Paxlovid (see SmPC section 4.8). 

If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue Paxlovid and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive care.

EPIC-HR Safety Profile:1
 
The EPIC-HR trial (one of the clinical trials contributing to the Paxlovid Safety Profile), saw Comparable rates of adverse events between Paxlovid (22.0%) and placebo groups (24.3%).
  • EPIC-HR was a trial of 2113 adult patients at high risk of developing severe COVID-19
  • Fewer grade 3 or 4 adverse events (4.0% vs 8.5%) and fewer serious adverse events (1.7% vs 6.7%) were observed vs placebo.
  • Discontinuation rates due to adverse events with Paxlovid were low and consistent with placebo (2.0% (n=21) and 4.3% (n=45) respectively). 
  • Learn more about the characteristics and diversity of the patients included in the EPIC-HR trial


Adverse reactions in the EPIC-HR trial (affecting at least 1% of patients):
Explore MoreBadge EfficacyKicker

Learn more about risk reduction, viral load data and subgroup analysis from the EPIC-HR trial.

Learn more
PAXLOVID can be taken orally, at home, and patients do not need to visit a doctor's surgery or clinic for administration2
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References:
1. Pfizer Data on File excerpts from Full Clinical Study Report for EPIC-HR and Core Data Sheet, February 2024
2. PAXLOVID GB Summary of Product Characteristics. Pfizer Inc.

 

 

PAXLOVID Safety Profile & TolerabilityAdverse reactions with Paxlovid:1 
 

The safety profile of the product is based on adverse reactions reported in clinical trials and spontaneous reporting. 
System Organ Class Frequency category* Adverse reactions
Immune system disorders Uncommon Hypersensitivity
Rare Anaphylaxis
Nervous system disorders Common Dysgeusia, headache
Gastrointestinal disorders Common Diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea
Uncommon Abdominal pain
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Uncommon Rash**
Rare Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Pruritus**
General disorders and
administration site conditions
Rare Malaise
Vascular disorders Uncommon Hypertension
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Uncommon Myalgia

*Frequencies are defined as follows: Very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000).
** These ADRs are also manifestations of hypersensitivity reaction.

Summary of the Paxlovid Safety Profile:1 
 

The most common adverse reactions reported during treatment with Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir 300 mg/100 mg) were:

  • Dysgeusia (4.6%)
  • Diarrhoea (3.0%)
  • Vomiting (1.2%)
  • Headache (1.2%)

Hypersensitivity reactions:


Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions and serious skin reactions (including toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome) have been reported with Paxlovid (see SmPC section 4.8). 

If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue Paxlovid and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive care.


 

EPIC-HR Safety Profile:2

 


The EPIC-HR trial (one of the clincial trials contributing to the Paxlovid Safety Profile), saw Comparable rates of adverse events between Paxlovid (22.0%) and placebo groups (24.3%).

  • EPIC-HR was a trial of 2113 adult patients at high risk of developing severe COVID-19
  • Fewer grade 3 or 4 adverse events (4.0% vs 8.5%) and fewer serious adverse events (1.7% vs 6.7%) were observed vs placebo.
  • Discontinuation rates due to adverse events with Paxlovid were low and consistent with placebo (2.0% (n=21) and 4.3% (n=45) respectively). 
Learn more about the characteristics and diversity of the patients included in the EPIC-HR trial.


Adverse reactions in the EPIC-HR trial (affecting at least 1% of patients):

Scroll left to view table
Explore MoreBadge EfficacyKicker

Learn more about risk reduction, viral load data and subgroup analysis from the EPIC-HR trial.

Learn more
PAXLOVID can be taken orally, at home, and patients do not need to visit a doctor's surgery or clinic for administration1
Join us! 

Set up a PfizerPro account to access further materials and resources, and receive communication about medicines and vaccines promoted by Pfizer. 

Join now
References:
1. PAXLOVID NI Summary of Product Characteristics. Pfizer Inc.
2. Pfizer Data on File excerpts from Full Clinical Study Report for EPIC-HR and Core Data Sheet, February 2024
PP-C1D-GBR-0190. February 2024

Adverse Events
 

Adverse Events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ or search 

for MHRA Yellow Card in Google Play or Apple App Store

 

Adverse events should also be reported to Pfizer Medical Information on 01304 616161

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