Paxlovid Medication
Paxlovid medication requires careful assessment from a physician. The medication is initiated as quickly as possible after coronavirus symptoms have emerged but no later than 5 days from the start of symptoms.
Treatment can be started on the basis of a positive home test and should be verified with laboratory testing as soon as possible. The medication target groups differ from the general COVID 19 infection risk groups.
If you belong or suspect you belong to the Paxlovid medication target groups below, contact your own health centre if you are found to have coronavirus infection or you suspect that you have contracted it. Those in active cancer treatment or patients who are strongly lacking immunity can also contact their own special health care unit via Turku University Hospital Services.
Main target groups for treatment with Paxlovid for patients at home
Organ transplantation
- Allogeneic stem cell transplantation under the following conditions: the patient is not taking cyclosporine, tacrolimus or everolimus (contraindications) and less than 12 months after transplantation or more than 12 months after transplantation and immunosuppressive medication is ongoing.
- Heart, lung and abdominal transplantation: often contraindicated due to drug interactions. Initiation is assessed by the treating physician on an individual basis (see also recommendation for remdesivir).
Cancer under active treatment (severely immunocompromised cancer or treatment, less than six months from autologous intensive care).
Severe congenital or related immune dysfunction (e.g. advanced HIV infection).
Treatment with rituximab (or other CD20 antibody such as ofatumumab, obinutuzumab) within less than 12 months or known low immunoglobulin levels after previous treatment with rituximab or other CD20 antibody therapy.
Severe renal impairment (GFR < 30 ml/h) (note: dose should be adjusted).
Severe chronic lung disease, with the exception of asthma.
Advanced age, especially if
- you have a medical condition or other factors that increase the risk of serious disease, such as severe type 2 diabetes with an organ complication, severe heart disease or under-vaccination (no vaccine in the last year) and no history of COVID-19 infection.
- The risk of hospitalisation increases, especially in people over 80 years old.
- At doctor's discretion, taking into account factors that increase the risk of serious illness, including age.