Paxlovid is a prescription medication that is authorized for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID cases in patients over the age of 12 and over 88 pounds.
Paxlovid is not prescribed to all patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. Instead, it is prescribed for patients who meet the age and weight criteria and are at risk of severe illness. Some additional risk factors for severe illness include being over 60 years of age, being overweight, having a history of smoking, and having a previous diagnosis of immunosuppressive disease. This is not a complete list of risk factors, however.
Paxlovid is not prescribed to all patients, nor is it prescribed as a treatment for current severe infections.
Before starting treatment with Paxlovid, talk to your doctor about your health history and any medication you may be currently taking. There are many drugs that are contra-indicated with Paxlovid use (meaning that they may cause serious - even fatal reactions - if taken at the same time).
Note that all prescriptions for Paxlovid are based on the discretion of your health care provider and must meet the conditions listed above.