Evidence-Based Guide

COVID-19 & Paxlovid Treatment

Paxlovid eligibility, timing, drug interactions, rebound, and the current variant field.

Medically reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD
Last reviewed: January 5, 2026 · Updated: Jul 2026
16 min read

Who should take Paxlovid for COVID-19 and how does it work?

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is the preferred outpatient COVID-19 treatment in CDC clinical guidance for people at higher risk of severe disease, such as adults over 65 or people with conditions like obesity, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. In the pivotal EPIC-HR trial of unvaccinated high-risk adults, it lowered the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization or death by about 88% to 89%. The FDA label approves it for adults at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, started as soon as possible and within 5 days of symptom onset, with lower doses for kidney impairment. Ritonavir is a strong CYP3A inhibitor, so every current medication should be reviewed: some statins, blood thinners, heart drugs, and transplant drugs need a dose change, a pause, extra monitoring, or a different treatment. Rebound is usually mild. A licensed clinician, by telehealth or in person, can review symptoms and medications and decide on treatment.
Medically reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD. Updated July 14, 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • CDC lists ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) as the preferred outpatient treatment for people at higher risk of severe COVID-19, started as soon as possible and within 5 days of symptom onset.[1] In the pivotal trial of unvaccinated high-risk adults, it lowered the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization or death by about 88% to 89%.[2]
  • Ritonavir, the booster in Paxlovid, is a strong CYP3A inhibitor. The FDA label carries a boxed warning on drug interactions, and some statins, blood thinners, transplant drugs and heart medications need a dose change, a pause, extra monitoring, or a different treatment.[3]
  • Rebound (symptoms returning after initial recovery) usually means mild symptoms 3 to 7 days after the first illness resolved.[1] In the original trial, viral load rebound was about as common with placebo as with Paxlovid.[4]
  • Kidney and liver function change the plan: the label lowers the dose for moderate and severe kidney impairment and does not recommend Paxlovid in severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh Class C).[3]
  • CDC recommends a 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine for all adults ages 18 years and older.[5]
Editorial medical illustration representing COVID-19 & Paxlovid Treatment
COVID-19 & Paxlovid Treatment: an evidence-based overview from the TeleDirectMD medical team.

I still prescribe Paxlovid every week. That surprises many patients, who assume COVID-19 is "over." It isn't. The virus keeps changing, and new variants are expected to continue to emerge.[6] What has changed is our ability to treat it: we now have an oral antiviral that, when started early enough, lowers the chance that a mild case becomes a hospital stay.

Yet many eligible patients never receive treatment. In a large CDC analysis of U.S. health records from April to August 2022, only 28.4% of adults eligible for Paxlovid received a prescription within 5 days of their COVID-19 diagnosis.[7] Some people don't test. Some test too late. Some are told, incorrectly, that they don't qualify. And some worry about drug interactions or the "rebound" they've heard about and decide to ride it out. Every one of those scenarios is a missed opportunity.

This guide is what I'd tell a family member who just tested positive for COVID-19. It covers who should get Paxlovid, when the treatment window closes, which drug interactions matter, what we've learned about rebound, and when mild symptoms signal something more dangerous. It is based on current CDC treatment guidance, the current FDA prescribing information, and peer-reviewed research.

Understanding COVID-19 in 2026

SARS-CoV-2 keeps accumulating mutations, and new variants are expected to continue to emerge. CDC publishes estimates of variant proportions for 4-week periods on Fridays, so the names of the dominant variants change through the year.[6] Rather than list variant shares here that would quickly go out of date, this guide suggests checking CDC's current estimates.

Possible symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure.[8]

Who's Still at Risk

Risk of severe COVID-19 is higher in people 50 years and older, rises substantially after 65, and is increased at any age by certain underlying medical conditions.[9] CDC's list includes:

  • Age 50 and older (risk increases substantially after 65)
  • Obesity (BMI over 30); overweight (BMI 25 to 30) is listed as suggestive of higher risk
  • Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • Heart conditions (heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies)
  • Chronic lung disease and asthma (including COPD and interstitial lung disease)
  • Chronic kidney disease, including people receiving dialysis
  • Weakened immune system (primary immunodeficiency, organ or stem cell transplant, corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications, HIV)
  • Mental health conditions (mood disorders, including depression, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders)
  • Smoking (current or former)
  • Disabilities, including Down syndrome
  • Physical inactivity

If you recognize yourself in that list, you should have a plan for treatment before you need it.

Paxlovid: What It Is and How It Works

Paxlovid is a combination of two medications packaged together: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. The standard dose is 300 mg of nirmatrelvir (two 150 mg tablets) with 100 mg of ritonavir (one 100 mg tablet), all 3 tablets taken together by mouth twice daily, in the morning and at bedtime, for 5 days.[3] People with kidney impairment take a lower dose, described below.

Nirmatrelvir is the antiviral. It blocks the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), an enzyme the virus needs to process its polyproteins into functional units, which makes Mpro essential to the viral replication cycle.[2]

Ritonavir is the booster. Nirmatrelvir is broken down mainly by the CYP3A4 enzyme, and giving it with a low dose (100 mg) of ritonavir, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, raises nirmatrelvir levels enough to work. Ritonavir is also used in HIV treatment, where it is taken long term rather than for 5 days.[2]

The 5-Day Window Is Non-Negotiable

The label says to start Paxlovid as soon as possible after a COVID-19 diagnosis and within 5 days of symptom onset, even if symptoms are mild.[3] The clock starts when you develop symptoms, not when you get a positive test. In the pivotal trial, the benefit was similar whether treatment began within 3 days of symptoms (88.9% lower risk) or within 5 days (87.8% lower risk).[2] That is why testing early matters.

How Well Does It Work?

In the pivotal EPIC-HR trial, which enrolled unvaccinated, nonhospitalized adults at high risk, Paxlovid lowered the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization or death through day 28 by 88.9% when started within 3 days of symptoms and by 87.8% when started within 5 days. All 13 deaths in the trial occurred in the placebo group.[2] CDC notes that similar results were observed in patients with prior immunity to the virus.[1] In a CDC analysis of U.S. health records from 2022 (an observational study, not a trial), a Paxlovid prescription was associated with a lower hospitalization rate (adjusted hazard ratio 0.49), including among people who had received 3 or more mRNA vaccine doses (adjusted hazard ratio 0.50).[7]

What about newer variants? Paxlovid targets the viral main protease, not the spike protein that monoclonal antibodies target. The EPIC-HR investigators noted that because the protease's active site is well conserved, drugs of this type may be more likely to retain activity against future variants; that is a hypothesis, not a measured result against the variants circulating now.[2] CDC reports that resistance to nirmatrelvir-ritonavir is rare.[1]

Who Should Get Treated

Paxlovid is FDA-approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. It is not approved to prevent COVID-19 before or after an exposure.[3] CDC notes it is also authorized for pediatric patients 12 years and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg).[1]

"High risk" is determined by the prescribing physician based on the patient's overall medical history. CDC lists these among the factors linked to a higher risk of severe COVID-19:[9]

  • Age 50 years and older (risk increases substantially after 65)
  • Obesity (BMI over 30), with overweight (BMI 25 to 30) listed as suggestive of higher risk
  • Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • Heart conditions
  • Chronic lung disease (such as COPD) and asthma
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Weakened immune system (from disease or medications)
  • Pregnancy and recent pregnancy
  • Smoking (current or former)
  • Mood disorders, including depression, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders
  • Sickle cell disease and substance use disorders (listed as suggestive of higher risk)

Kidney and liver function shape the prescription. For moderate kidney impairment (eGFR 30 to under 60 mL/min), the dose is reduced to one 150 mg nirmatrelvir tablet with one 100 mg ritonavir tablet twice daily for 5 days. For severe kidney impairment (eGFR under 30 mL/min), including people on hemodialysis, the label gives a reduced regimen: 300 mg nirmatrelvir with 100 mg ritonavir once on day 1, then 150 mg nirmatrelvir with 100 mg ritonavir once daily on days 2 to 5, taken after dialysis on dialysis days. Paxlovid is not recommended in severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh Class C), because no pharmacokinetic or safety data are available. It is contraindicated in people with a history of clinically significant hypersensitivity reactions to nirmatrelvir, ritonavir, or any other component.[3]

Decision Framework: Treat at Home, Get Paxlovid, or Go to the ER

Not every positive COVID-19 test requires Paxlovid, and not every case of COVID-19 can be safely managed at home. The clinical framework used in practice:

Scenario Recommended Approach Rationale
Mild symptoms, healthy adult under 50 with no risk factors Supportive care at home: rest, hydration, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and symptom monitoring Low risk of progression; Paxlovid is indicated only for adults at high risk[3]
Mild-to-moderate symptoms with one or more risk factors (age 50 or older, obesity, diabetes, etc.) within 5 days of onset Start Paxlovid as soon as possible About 88% to 89% lower risk of hospitalization or death in the pivotal trial of unvaccinated adults[2]
Mild-to-moderate symptoms but Paxlovid is not suitable (drug interactions that cannot be managed, severe liver disease) Consider remdesivir (3-day IV course started within 7 days of symptom onset); molnupiravir (oral, within 5 days) is an option when neither is accessible or clinically appropriate CDC lists remdesivir as the second preferred option after Paxlovid[1]
Fever > 101°F, worsening shortness of breath, inability to keep fluids down Same-day urgent medical evaluation Suggests possible progression; may need IV fluids, supplemental oxygen, or IV antivirals
Severe shortness of breath, confusion, persistent chest pain, oxygen saturation < 94% Emergency department immediately Signs of severe COVID-19 or impending respiratory failure requiring hospital-level care

The most common mistake I see is patients waiting too long to seek treatment. The label calls for starting within 5 days of symptom onset, so by day 6 or 7 Paxlovid is outside its labeled window.[3] If you have risk factors and test positive, contact your physician on day one.

Drug Interactions and Side Effects

This is the section that matters most for patient safety. Paxlovid's drug interaction profile is its most significant clinical limitation, and it stems almost entirely from ritonavir.

Ritonavir is a strong CYP3A inhibitor, so Paxlovid can raise blood levels of other medications broken down by CYP3A. The FDA label carries a boxed warning that this may lead to potentially severe, life-threatening, or fatal events, and it asks prescribers to review every medication a patient takes before prescribing.[3]

Statins (Cholesterol Medications)

Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States, so this interaction comes up often. With some statins, Paxlovid can raise statin levels enough to risk muscle injury (myopathy), including rhabdomyolysis, a serious breakdown of muscle tissue.[3]

  • Lovastatin and simvastatin: Contraindicated with Paxlovid. If Paxlovid is needed, they are stopped at least 12 hours before the first dose, during the 5 days of treatment, and for 5 days after completing Paxlovid.[3]
  • Atorvastatin: The label says to consider pausing atorvastatin during Paxlovid treatment; it does not need to be held before or after the course.[3]
  • Other statins: Ask your prescriber, because the plan depends on the specific statin and dose.

Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets)

This is a more complex interaction because the consequences of both too much and too little anticoagulation are serious.

  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Paxlovid can raise or lower warfarin levels. The label advises close monitoring of the INR if the two must be taken together.[3]
  • Apixaban (Eliquis): Paxlovid increases apixaban levels and the risk of bleeding. The recommended approach depends on your apixaban dose, so it needs your prescriber's guidance.[3]
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto): Increased bleeding risk; the label says to avoid using it with Paxlovid.[3]
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix): Paxlovid lowers levels of clopidogrel's active metabolite; the label says to avoid using them together.[3]

Immunosuppressants

For transplant patients and those on immunosuppressive therapy, the interaction with Paxlovid can be life-threatening. Calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, cyclosporine) were the most commonly reported concomitant medications resulting in serious adverse reactions, followed by calcium channel blockers. The label says to avoid calcineurin inhibitors with Paxlovid when close monitoring of immunosuppressant levels is not feasible, to obtain expert consultation if they are used together, and to avoid everolimus and sirolimus.[3] In practice this means coordinating with the transplant team.

Other Notable Interactions

  • Calcium channel blockers (amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine and others): Levels rise. The label recommends caution and clinical monitoring, and a dose decrease may be needed.[3]
  • Certain anti-seizure medications (carbamazepine, phenytoin): Contraindicated with Paxlovid. These strong CYP3A inducers can lower Paxlovid levels, with potential loss of antiviral effect and possible resistance.[3]
  • Erectile dysfunction medications (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil): Levels rise, and a dose adjustment is recommended; avanafil should not be used with Paxlovid. Sildenafil (Revatio) for pulmonary arterial hypertension is contraindicated.[3]
  • Certain sedatives and an antipsychotic: Triazolam and oral midazolam are contraindicated because of the risk of extreme sedation and respiratory depression. Quetiapine levels rise; if it must be continued, the label recommends a lower quetiapine dose and monitoring.[3]

Common Side Effects of Paxlovid

In the trial behind the label, the most common side effects that occurred more often with Paxlovid than with placebo were dysgeusia, an altered taste in the mouth (5% vs under 1%), and diarrhea (3% vs 2%).[3] In EPIC-HR these side effects were nonserious, mostly mild to moderate (grade 1 or 2), and resolved.[2] High blood pressure has also been reported since the drug was first authorized.[3]

Paxlovid Rebound: What We Know

Paxlovid rebound has received outsized attention relative to its clinical significance. Here's what the evidence shows.

What it is: A return of COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test after initial recovery. CDC describes rebound as mild symptoms 3 to 7 days after the initial illness has resolved.[1]

How common is it? Estimates depend on how rebound is defined. In the EPIC-HR trial, viral load rebound occurred in 2.3% of patients given Paxlovid and 1.7% of those given placebo, and the authors concluded that rebound may be a feature of some SARS-CoV-2 infections rather than an effect of the drug. That trial ran when the delta variant predominated.[4]

Why it happens: A 2025 mathematical modeling study led by researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory, based on 51 treated people (20 of whom rebounded), suggested that early treatment preserves uninfected target cells without fully clearing the virus. Once the 5-day course ends, the remaining virus can rebound if the adaptive immune response has not fully developed. The model suggested that a 10-day course may greatly reduce the chance of rebound, but that is a modeling result, not a tested or approved regimen.[10]

Is it dangerous? Usually not. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in 2026 gave a second 5-day course to 436 people with rebound. Retreatment cleared viral RNA faster and was safe, but the authors found no clear benefit because rebound was transient and mild and did not lead to severe COVID-19. There were no COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths.[11]

What I tell patients: Rebound is a possibility, not a reason to avoid treatment. CDC states that the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks of rebound for patients at higher risk for severe disease, and that people who develop rebound should isolate to prevent further spread.[1] If symptoms return after you finish treatment, monitor them. If they worsen or you develop warning signs such as high fever or difficulty breathing, seek medical evaluation.

Prevention: Vaccines, Testing, and Common Sense

Updated Vaccine Guidance (2026-2027)

CDC recommends a 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine for all adults ages 18 years and older. Vaccines named in CDC's guidance include Moderna (Spikevax and mNexspike), Novavax/Sanofi (Nuvaxovid), and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty).[5]

For adults 65 and older, the FDA-approved use is a single dose of the 2026-2027 vaccine.[5] If you have a weakened immune system or other high-risk conditions, ask your clinician whether a different schedule applies to you.

When to Test

Test if you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19, particularly during known surges or after exposure to a confirmed case. Rapid antigen tests are widely available. If your rapid test is negative but symptoms continue, ask your clinician about retesting.

The reason to test promptly isn't just to know your diagnosis. Testing also starts the treatment clock, and every day of delay narrows the Paxlovid window.

Basic Prevention Measures

  • Stay home when sick to avoid spreading the virus to others.
  • Good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes).
  • Ventilation: opening windows or using air filtration in shared indoor spaces can reduce airborne spread.
  • High-quality masks (N95, KN95) in high-risk settings or during surges, particularly for immunocompromised individuals.
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis: Pemgarda (pemivibart), a monoclonal antibody given as a single IV infusion at a healthcare facility, is available for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.[1]

Red Flags: When to Seek Emergency Care

Call 911 or Go to the ER Immediately If You Experience:
  • Severe difficulty breathing, such as being unable to complete sentences, gasping, or using neck or chest muscles to breathe[8]
  • Persistent chest pain or pressure that is not relieved by rest or a change of position[8]
  • New confusion, or inability to wake or stay awake[8]
  • Pale, gray, or bluish lips, nail beds, or skin, depending on skin tone[8]
  • Oxygen saturation below 94% on a home pulse oximeter (below 90% is critical)
  • Fever above 103°F (39.4°C) that doesn't respond to medication
  • Inability to keep down fluids for more than 12 hours, because dehydration compounds breathing problems

COVID-19 can follow a two-phase course: patients may feel they're improving around days 5 to 7, then deteriorate around days 7 to 10 as the inflammatory phase overtakes the viral replication phase. This is when pneumonia and respiratory failure can develop. If you're in the second week of illness and symptoms are worsening rather than improving, do not wait.

For patients who are managing COVID-19 at home, I recommend a pulse oximeter. These inexpensive devices clip onto your finger and measure blood oxygen levels. A consistent reading below 94% warrants medical evaluation even if you feel "okay." Silent hypoxia (low oxygen without matching shortness of breath) was one of the most dangerous patterns seen earlier in the pandemic, and it still occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paxlovid must be started within 5 days of symptom onset, not 5 days from your positive test, and as soon as possible after diagnosis.[3] In the pivotal trial, the benefit was similar when treatment began within 3 days or within 5 days of symptoms.[2] If you test positive on day 4 of symptoms and your physician prescribes Paxlovid, start it that same day. After day 5, you are outside the labeled window. This is why I encourage patients to test early and contact their physician immediately if positive.

Often yes, with a plan. Lovastatin and simvastatin are contraindicated with Paxlovid: if Paxlovid is needed, they are stopped at least 12 hours before the first dose, during the 5 days of treatment, and for 5 days after completing Paxlovid. For atorvastatin, the label says to consider pausing it during the 5-day course, and it does not need to be held before or after. For any other statin, ask your prescriber.[3]

Rebound means COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test come back after you first got better. CDC describes it as mild symptoms 3 to 7 days after the initial illness resolved.[1] In the original Paxlovid trial, viral load rebound happened about as often with placebo (1.7%) as with Paxlovid (2.3%).[4] A randomized trial of a second 5-day course found no clear benefit, because rebound was transient and mild and did not lead to severe COVID-19.[11]

Paxlovid is FDA-approved for adults at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.[3] If you are under 50 with no underlying conditions, you generally don't meet that bar. However, "high risk" covers a wider range of conditions than many people realize: CDC's list includes obesity, asthma, diabetes, mood disorders including depression, current or former smoking, and physical inactivity, among others.[9] Discuss your specific situation with your physician.

The evidence points to a small benefit at most. A CDC study of insurance claims from 2022 found Paxlovid was associated with a lower risk of post-COVID conditions in adults 65 and older (adjusted hazard ratio 0.88) and ages 50 to 64 (0.93), with minimal effect at ages 18 to 49 (0.98).[12] A large health-record study found no significant effect on Long COVID overall, with a small protective effect in people 65 and older: an absolute risk reduction of 0.43%, meaning 233 people would need treatment to prevent one case.[13] Paxlovid's primary value remains preventing severe acute illness, hospitalization, and death.

The mix changes through the year. SARS-CoV-2 keeps accumulating mutations, new variants are expected to continue to emerge, and CDC publishes variant proportion estimates for 4-week periods on Fridays, so check CDC for the current picture.[6] Possible symptoms include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, congestion, fatigue, body aches, and headache.[8] Paxlovid targets the viral main protease. The EPIC-HR investigators suggested that because its active site is well conserved, drugs of this type may be more likely to keep working against future variants, but that is a hypothesis rather than a measured result for today's variants.[2]

Related Reading from This Library

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COVID-19 Treatment Clinical Care for Outpatients. Last updated October 8, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/outpatient-treatment.html
  2. Hammond J, Leister-Tebbe H, Gardner A, et al. Oral Nirmatrelvir for High-Risk, Nonhospitalized Adults with Covid-19. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(15):1397-1408. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2118542
  3. U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) kit: full prescribing information. Revised February 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8a99d6d6-fd9e-45bb-b1bf-48c7f761232a
  4. Anderson AS, Caubel P, Rusnak JM, et al. Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir and Viral Load Rebound in Covid-19 (letter). N Engl J Med. 2022;387(11):1047-1049. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2205944
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2026-2027 COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance for People Who Are Not Immunocompromised. Last updated September 23, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/vaccine-considerations/routine-guidance.html
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Variants and Genomic Surveillance. Last updated August 28, 2025. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/php/variants/variants-and-genomic-surveillance.html
  7. Shah MM, Joyce B, Plumb ID, et al. Paxlovid Associated with Decreased Hospitalization Rate Among Adults with COVID-19, United States, April-September 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(48):1531-1537. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7148e2
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms of COVID-19. Last updated March 10, 2025. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/signs-symptoms/index.html
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Underlying Conditions and the Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19. Last updated October 8, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clinical-care/underlying-conditions.html
  10. Phan T, Ribeiro RM, Edelstein GE, et al. Modeling suggests SARS-CoV-2 rebound after nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment is driven by target cell preservation coupled with incomplete viral clearance. J Virol. 2025;99(3):e0162324. https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01623-24
  11. Zhang W, Terra SG, Weinstein EA, et al. Retreatment With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Following Return of COVID-19 Symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 Positivity. Clin Infect Dis. 2026;82(1):e33-e40. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaf548
  12. Dalton AF, Baca S, Raykin J, et al. Risk of Post-COVID-19 Conditions Among Adolescents and Adults Who Received Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir for Acute COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2025;12(10):ofaf567. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaf567
  13. Preiss A, Bhatia A, Aragon LV, et al. Effect of Paxlovid treatment during acute COVID-19 on Long COVID onset: An EHR-based target trial emulation from the N3C and RECOVER consortia. PLoS Med. 2025;22(9):e1004711. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004711

About the Author

Parth Bhavsar, MD

Dr. Bhavsar is a board-certified family medicine physician and founder of TeleDirectMD. He has prescribed Paxlovid and managed acute COVID-19 cases throughout the pandemic and its endemic phase. He practices telemedicine across 40+ U.S. states + DC and is fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Urdu.

Medically reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD. Last reviewed January 5, 2026 · Updated: May 2026