How to take a reduced dose of Paxlovid

Paxlovid is usually taken as 3 tablets twice daily. 

Your doctor may instruct you to have a reduced dose of 2 tablets twice daily if you have reduced kidney function (eGFR < 60).   

It is important that you take the correct two tablets and discard the third. 

The medication is divided into five days (one packet per day), with a morning (gold) and evening (blue) side.  Both sides have identical ingredients. 

There are two peach tablets of Nirmatrelvir 150mg each and one white tablet of Ritonavir 100mg on each side.  This gives a total dose of Nirmatrelvir 300mg and ritonavir 100mg each morning and evening when taking a full dose. 

For your reduced dose, you will have one peach (not two) Nirmatrelvir 150mg and one white Ritonavir 100mg.  You will discard one peach Nirmatrelvir tablet.  Do this twice daily. 

If you selected two peach tablets, you have made an error. 

Continue taking the medication until the full five days are completed. 

Review the photos on the next page. 

Ask your GP or pharmacist if you are uncertain how to follow these instructions. 

The picture below is what you should take if you are on a reduced-dose regimen.