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(nirmatrelvir tablets; ritonavir tablets) ?
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AUTHORIZED USE

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the emergency use of PAXLOVIDTM  (nirmatrelvir tablets; ritonavir tablets) for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORIZED USE

PAXLOVID is not authorized for use as pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID‑19.

PAXLOVID may be prescribed for an individual patient by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants that are licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs.

PAXLOVID may also be prescribed for an individual patient by a state-licensed pharmacist under the following conditions:

  • Sufficient information is available, such as through access to health records less than 12 months old or consultation with a health care provider in an established provider‑patient relationship with the individual patient, to assess renal and hepatic function; and
  • Sufficient information is available, such as through access to health records, patient reporting of medical history, or consultation with a health care provider in an established provider‑patient relationship with the individual patient, to obtain a comprehensive list of medications (prescribed and non-prescribed) that the patient is taking to assess for potential drug interaction.
     

The state-licensed pharmacist should refer an individual patient for clinical evaluation (e.g., telehealth, in-person visit) with a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs, if any of the following apply:

  • Sufficient information is not available to assess renal and hepatic function.
  • Sufficient information is not available to assess for a potential drug interaction.
  • Modification of other medications is needed due to a potential drug interaction.
  • PAXLOVID is not an appropriate therapeutic option based on the authorized Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers or due to potential drug interactions for which recommended monitoring would not be feasible.


PAXLOVID is authorized only for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of PAXLOVID under 564(b)(1) of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

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Important Update: EUA labeled PAXLOVIDTM (nirmatrelvir tablets; ritonavir tablets) will no longer be authorized for emergency use after March 8, 2024. Please click here to learn more.

PAXCESSTM Patient Support Program is now available for patients prescribed PAXLOVID. Commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0* for their prescription by downloading a copay card here.

Patients on Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA Community Care Network, and those who are uninsured, may enroll in the U.S. Government’s Patient Assistance Program (USG PAP) operated by Pfizer to access PAXLOVID for free* through December 31, 2024, by clicking here.


Looking for information about the FDA approved indication for PAXLOVID? Click here.

*Eligible commercially insured patients can save up $1,500 per prescription.  Maximum annual savings up to $1,500.  Please click here for full terms and conditions for the PAXCESSTM copay savings program. 
The USG PAP operated by Pfizer is an independent program with separate eligibility requirements offered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is not owned by Pfizer.  Please click here for the full terms and conditions of the USG PAP.

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Clinical Studies

PAXLOVIDTM (nirmatrelvir tablets; ritonavir tablets) has not been approved, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
 
The emergency use of PAXLOVID is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Information contained in this section can be found in section 14 of the Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers here
Efficacy in Subjects at High Risk of Progression to Severe COVID-19 (EPIC-HR)

EPIC-HR (NCT04960202) was a Phase 2/3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in non hospitalized symptomatic adult subjects with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Eligible participants were 18 years of age and older with at least one of the following risk factors for progression to severe disease:  
​​​​​​​

  • diabetes 
  • overweight (BMI >25) 
  • chronic lung disease (including asthma) 
  • chronic kidney disease
  • current smoker 
  • immunosuppressive disease or immunosuppressive treatment 
  • cardiovascular disease 
  • hypertension
  • sickle cell disease
  • neurodevelopmental disorders 
  • active cancer
  • medically related technological dependence 
  • 60 years of age and older regardless of comorbidities 

Subjects with COVID-19 symptom onset of ≤5 days were included in the study. Subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir 300 mg/100 mg) or placebo orally every 12 hours for 5 days. The trial excluded individuals with a history of prior COVID-19 infection or vaccination and excluded individuals taking any medications with clinically significant drug interactions with PAXLOVID.

The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of subjects with COVID-19-related hospitalization or death from any cause through Day 28. The analysis was conducted in the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) analysis set [all treated subjects with onset of symptoms ≤3 days who at baseline did not receive nor were expected to receive COVID-19 therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment], the mITT1 analysis set (all treated subjects with onset of symptoms ≤5 days who at baseline did not receive nor were expected to receive COVID-19 therapeutic mAb treatment), and the mITT2 analysis set (all treated subjects with onset of symptoms ≤5 days).

A total of 2,113 subjects were randomized to receive either PAXLOVID or placebo. At baseline, mean age was 45 years; 51% were male; 71% were White, 15% were Asian, 9% were American Indian or Alaska Native, 4% were Black or African American, and 1% was missing or unknown; 41% were Hispanic or Latino; 67% of subjects had onset of symptoms ≤3 days before initiation of study treatment; 49% of subjects were serological negative at baseline; the mean (SD) baseline viral RNA in nasopharyngeal samples was 4.71 log10 copies/mL (2.89); 27% of subjects had a baseline viral RNA of ≥107 (log10 copies/mL); 6% of subjects either received or were expected to receive COVID-19 therapeutic monoclonal antibody treatment at the time of randomization and were excluded from the mITT and mITT1 analyses.

The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between the PAXLOVID and placebo groups.

The proportions of subjects who discontinued treatment due to an adverse event were 2.0% in the PAXLOVID group and 4.2% in the placebo group.

Table 8 provides results of the primary endpoint in mITT1 analysis population. For the primary endpoint, the relative risk reduction in the mITT1 analysis population for PAXLOVID compared to placebo was 86% (95% CI: 72%, 93%).

Table 8: COVID-19 Related Hospitalization or Death from Any Cause Through Day 28 in
​​​​​​​Non-Hospitalized Adults with COVID-19 (mlTT1 Analysis Set): EPIC-HR 

PAXLOVID
​​​​​​​N=977

Placebo
​​​​​​​N=989

COVID-19 Related Hospitalization or Death from Any Cause Through Day 28


n (%)

9 (0.9%)

64 (6.5%)

Reduction Relative to Placeboa  [95% CI], %

-5.6 (-7.3, -4.0)


COVID-19 Related Hospitalization Through Day 28, %

9 (0.9%)

63 (6.4%)

All-cause Mortality Through Day 28b, %

0

12 (1.2%)


Abbreviations: CI=confidence interval; COVID-19=coronavirus disease 2019; mAb=monoclonal antibody; miTT1=modified intent-to-treat 1 (all treated subjects with onset of symptoms ≤5 days who at baseline did not receive nor were expected to receive COVID-19 therapeutic mAb treatment).
The determination of primary efficacy was based on a planned interim analysis of 754 subjects in mITT population. The estimated risk reduction was -6.5% with a 95% Cl of (-9.3%, -3.7%) and 2-sided p-value <0.0001.
a. The estimated cumulative proportion of subjects hospitalized or death by Day 28 was calculated for each treatment group using the Kaplan-Meier method, where subiects without hospitalization and death status through Day 28 were censored at the time of study discontinuation.
b. For the secondary endpoint of all-cause mortality through Week 24, there were 0 and 15 (1%) events in the PAXLOVID arm and placebo arm, respectively.


Consistent results were observed in the mITT and mITT2 analysis populations.

Related Pages    Safety     Frequently Asked Questions
Verifying Product Authenticity

PAXLOVID must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and supplied by a government-approved pharmacy or medical facility.

Authentic PAXLOVID, from Pfizer Inc., may include the Pfizer name on the label. The carton has a colorless, glossy coating that contains a repeated pattern of the Pfizer name and logo all over, and these repeating features are seen in a contrasting matte finish.

PAXLOVID consists of tablets for a 5-day oral treatment regimen, with twice daily dosing.

To help determine whether the tablets are authentic, look for specific text on each side of the tablets

Tablet

Embossed Text

nirmatrelvir

Front: 3CL | Back: PFE

ritonavir, manufactured by AbbVie

Front: iconNK | Back: No text

ritonavir, manufactured by Hetero

Front: H | Back: R9

Pfizer is committed to patient safety and ensuring that people have accurate information about the investigational drug PAXLOVID, including how it is accessed and administered. We are actively monitoring for fraudulent offers of illegitimate PAXLOVID to protect patients from products that might be dangerous and lead to serious and life-threatening harm.

If you suspect the product you have received may be counterfeit, contact us at 1-800-438-1985 or visit www.pfizersafetyreporting.com.


Reference: PAXLOVID Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers. Pfizer Inc.; September 26, 2022.

References:
 

  • PAXLOVID Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers. Pfizer Inc.; November 2023.
For more  information

Contact One of the Following Groups

For Medical Information visit www.pfizermedicalinformation.com or call 1‑800‑438‑1985

For General Product Inquiries call 1‑877‑C19PACK (1‑877‑219‑7225)

This site is intended only for U.S. healthcare professionals. The products discussed in this site may have different product labeling in different countries. The information provided is for educational purposes only.

Copyright © 2024 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. PP-C1D-USA-0605

AUTHORIZED USE

AUTHORIZED USE

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the emergency use of PAXLOVID for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.


LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORIZED USE​​​​​​​

PAXLOVID is not authorized for use as pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of
COVID-19.

PAXLOVID may be prescribed for an individual patient by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants that are licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs.

PAXLOVID may also be prescribed for an individual patient by a state-licensed pharmacist under the following conditions:

  • Sufficient information is available, such as through access to health records less than 12 months old or consultation with a health care provider in an established provider-patient relationship with the individual patient, to assess renal and hepatic function; and
  • Sufficient information is available, such as through access to health records, patient reporting of medical history, or consultation with a health care provider in an established provider-patient relationship with the individual patient, to obtain a comprehensive list of medications (prescribed and non-prescribed) that the patient is taking to assess for potential drug interaction.


The state-licensed pharmacist should refer an individual patient for clinical evaluation (e.g., telehealth, in-person visit) with a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs, if any of the following apply:

  • Sufficient information is not available to assess renal and hepatic function.
  • Sufficient information is not available to assess for a potential drug interaction.
  • Modification of other medications is needed due to a potential drug interaction.
  • PAXLOVID is not an appropriate therapeutic option based on the authorized Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers or due to potential drug interactions for which recommended monitoring would not be feasible.

IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION

Expand

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Expand


WARNING: SIGNIFICANT DRUG INTERACTIONS WITH PAXLOVID

  • PAXLOVID includes ritonavir, a strong CYP3A inhibitor, which may lead to greater exposure of certain concomitant medications, resulting in potentially severe, life-threatening, or fatal events
  • Prior to prescribing PAXLOVID: 1) Review all medications taken by the patient to assess for potential drug-drug interactions with a strong CYP3A inhibitor like PAXLOVID and 2) Determine if concomitant medications require a dose adjustment, interruption, and/or additional monitoring
  • Consider the benefit of PAXLOVID treatment in reducing hospitalization and death, and whether the risk of potential drug-drug interactions for an individual patient can be appropriately managed

PAXLOVID is contraindicated in patients with a history of clinically significant hypersensitivity reactions (eg, toxic epidermal necrolysis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to its active ingredients (nirmatrelvir or ritonavir), or any other components of the product. If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue PAXLOVID and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive care.


PAXLOVID is contraindicated with drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A and for which elevated concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening reactions and drugs that are strong CYP3A inducers where significantly reduced nirmatrelvir or ritonavir plasma concentrations may be associated with the potential for loss of virologic response and possible resistance. There are certain other drugs for which concomitant use with PAXLOVID should be avoided and/or dose adjustment, interruption, or therapeutic monitoring is recommended. Drugs listed here are a guide and not considered a comprehensive list of all drugs that may be contraindicated with PAXLOVID. The healthcare provider should consult other appropriate resources such as the prescribing information for the interacting drug for comprehensive information on dosing or monitoring with concomitant use of a strong CYP3A inhibitor like PAXLOVID.

Drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A for which elevated concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening reactions:

  • Alpha1-adrenoreceptor antagonist: alfuzosin
  • Antianginal: ranolazine
  • Antiarrhythmic: amiodarone, dronedarone, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine
  • Anti-gout: colchicine (in patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment)
  • Antipsychotics: lurasidone, pimozide
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia agents: silodosin
  • Cardiovascular agents: eplerenone, ivabradine
  • Ergot derivatives: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
  • HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: lovastatin, simvastatin (these drugs can be temporarily discontinued to allow PAXLOVID use)
  • Immunosuppressants: voclosporin
  • Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor: lomitapide
  • Migraine medications: eletriptan, ubrogepant
  • Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: finerenone
  • Opioid antagonists: naloxegol
  • PDE5 inhibitor: sildenafil (Revatio®) when used for pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • Sedative/hypnotics: triazolam, oral midazolam
  • Serotonin receptor 1A agonist/serotonin receptor 2A antagonist: flibanserin
  • Vasopressin receptor antagonists: tolvaptan


Drugs that are strong CYP3A inducers: PAXLOVID cannot be started immediately after discontinuation of any of the following medications due to the delayed offset of the recently discontinued CYP3A inducer:

  • Anticancer drugs: apalutamide
  • Anticonvulsant: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin
  • Antimycobacterials: rifampin, rifapentine
  • Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator potentiators: lumacaftor/ivacaftor
  • Herbal Products: St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum)


Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions Due to Drug Interactions: Initiation of PAXLOVID, which contains ritonavir, a strong CYP3A inhibitor, in patients receiving medications metabolized by CYP3A or initiation of medications metabolized by CYP3A in patients already receiving PAXLOVID may increase plasma concentrations of medications metabolized by CYP3A. Medications that induce CYP3A may decrease concentrations of PAXLOVID. These interactions may lead to:

  • Clinically significant adverse reactions, potentially leading to severe, life-threatening, or fatal events from greater exposures of concomitant medications
  • Loss of therapeutic effect of PAXLOVID and possible development of viral resistance


Severe, life-threatening, and/or fatal adverse reactions due to drug interactions have been reported in patients treated with PAXLOVID. The most commonly reported concomitant medications resulting in serious adverse reactions were calcineurin inhibitors (eg, tacrolimus, cyclosporine), followed by calcium channel blockers.

Hepatotoxicity: Hepatic transaminase elevations, clinical hepatitis, and jaundice have occurred in patients receiving ritonavir. Caution should be exercised when administering PAXLOVID to patients with pre-existing liver diseases, liver enzyme abnormalities, or hepatitis.

Because nirmatrelvir is co-administered with ritonavir, there may be a risk of HIV-1 developing resistance to HIV protease inhibitors in individuals with uncontrolled or undiagnosed HIV-1 infection.

The most common adverse reactions in the PAXLOVID group (≥1%) that occurred at a greater frequency than in the placebo group were dysgeusia (5% and <1% respectively) and diarrhea (3% and 2% respectively).

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-authorization use of PAXLOVID.

Immune System Disorders: Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson
syndrome
Nervous System Disorders: Headache
Vascular Disorders: Hypertension
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Malaise


Required Reporting for Serious Adverse Events and Medication Errors: The prescribing healthcare provider and/or the provider’s designee is/are responsible for mandatory reporting of all serious adverse events and medication errors potentially related to PAXLOVID within 7 calendar days from the healthcare provider's awareness of the event.

Submit adverse event and medication error reports to FDA MedWatch using one of the following methods:


In addition, please provide a copy of all FDA MedWatch forms to:  www.pfizersafetyreporting.com, or by fax (1‑866‑635‑8337) or phone (1‑800‑438‑1985).

PAXLOVID is a strong inhibitor of CYP3A, and an inhibitor of CYP2D6, P-gp, and OATP1B1. Coadministration of PAXLOVID with drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A and CYP2D6 or are transported by P-gp or OATP1B1 may result in increased plasma concentrations of such drugs and increase the risk of adverse events. Co-administration with other CYP3A substrates may require a dose adjustment or additional monitoring. 

Pregnancy: Available data on the use of nirmatrelvir during pregnancy are insufficient to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Published observational studies on ritonavir use in pregnant women have not identified an increase in the risk of major birth defects. Published studies with ritonavir are insufficient to identify a drug-associated risk of miscarriage. There are maternal and fetal risks associated with untreated COVID-19 in pregnancy.

Lactation: There are no available data on the presence of nirmatrelvir in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. A transient decrease in body weight was observed in the nursing offspring of rats administered nirmatrelvir. Limited published data reports that ritonavir is present in human milk. There is no information on the effects of ritonavir on the breastfed infant or the effects of the drug on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for PAXLOVID and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from PAXLOVID or from the underlying maternal condition. Breastfeeding individuals with COVID-19 should follow practices according to clinical guidelines to avoid exposing the infant to COVID-19. 

Contraception: Use of ritonavir may reduce the efficacy of combined hormonal contraceptives. Advise patients using combined hormonal contraceptives to use an effective alternative contraceptive method or an additional barrier method of contraception. 

Pediatrics: PAXLOVID is not authorized for use in pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 40 kg. The safety and effectiveness of PAXLOVID have not been established in pediatric patients.

Renal impairment increases nirmatrelvir exposure, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions. No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with mild renal impairment (eGFR ≥60 to <90 mL/min).  Reduce the PAXLOVID dosage in patients with moderate renal impairment (eGFR ≥30 to <60 mL/min).  PAXLOVID is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min)  or patients with end stage renal disease (eGFR <15 mL/min) receiving dialysis until more data are available. Prescriptions should specify the numeric dose of each active ingredient within PAXLOVID. Providers should counsel patients about renal dosing instructions.

PAXLOVID is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Please see Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers and Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents, and Caregivers.