Covid and pavlovid

[WildIris]

I tested positive for Covid today after taking my grandkids to the fair on Friday. I just saw that CKD patients should take 2 pills of Pavlovid a day instead of 3. The person I talked to at my doc's office, not the doc himself, didn't notice the CKD, and I'm not even sure myself, as my "osmalality" is low, so I'm not sure which test values to believe. Anyway, does anybody have experience with this? Apparently there are 2 of one kind of medicine and 1 of another.

[Benjamin124]

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling uncertain. It's crucial to follow the guidance specific to CKD patients for medication. If you're unsure, please contact your doctor directly to confirm the correct dosage for your condition.

[Waterfrog123]

I was told depending on stage of ckd, paxlovid may not be recommended. For instance, stage 3 is ok, but once you get to stage 4 or 5, they recommend something else that begins with an R. I have gotten covid 4 times and have never taken more than mucinex, tylenol, and Benadryl, so I have no exoerience taking it.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to Waterfrog123]

Remdesivir. Given by IV. I am post transplant and that’s what my doctor would give me. Must be done within first 7 days of positive test to really be effective. Paxlovid prevents serious infection or death in about 92% of patients. Remdesivir is slightly less effective, I believe it’s in the mid 80% effective.

[TableTennisMama]

I had Covid last summer and my doctor said he would prescribe a lower dose of paxlovid due to my stage 3B chronic kidney disease. However, when I had my brother pick it up for me from the pharmacy, as he was paying for it, the pharmacist says “Your sister doesn’t have chronic kidney disease, does she? “ Of course the answer is yes, and the pharmacist takes back the medicine and says that the doctor sent over the wrong dose! Except for that pharmacists exceptional diligence, I would’ve unknowingly taken the regular dose. So be very careful every step along the way as people do make mistakes.

But even with the medicine it was five days of feeling really really miserable. First time in my life I had to sit in order to take a shower as I had absolutely zero energy to stand or walk across the room. Who knows if the medicine did any good at all. 🤷🙂

[MaziLuv74]

I was not Allowed to take either because I had CKD.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to MaziLuv74]

Recommended guidelines have changed, also it’s up to your own doctor.

[barbara55109]

I wasn't given Pavlovid since I had stage 4 CKD when I got COVID. I had Molnupiravir instead.

[WildIris]

Thanks for answering. according to my last blood test, my egfr is “above 60” (lab doesn’t calculate further) but with the low osmality and the way my egfr has bounced around it seems better to assume my kidneys still need TLC. The pharmacy doesn’t have paxlovid ready yet though I am sure ready for relief

[Pisces49 in reply to WildIris]

Hi. I can sympathize with you. I have stage 4 and my doctor said do the best you can treating like the flu. No Paxlovid.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to Pisces49]

Highly recommend second opinion. Of course, I do not know what other health issues you may have. You should at least be able to get remdesivir by IV. please get another opinion. I don’t know your health history.

[2sday]

I have had a transplant since 2018. I got Covid and June and was given Molnupiravir instead of Paxlivid. My husband’s transplant is only a year old and he has had Covid several times. Twice before transplant and once after. They gave him a reduced dose of Paxlovid.

[WildIris]

So I got the paxlovid. Here's what I'm doing, for the record.

I read here: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

that for somebody with stage 3 CKD, a 50% dose was recommended. I feel comfortable doing that because its what I've done with most of the meds I take since going on the kidney diet. In this case, it means just taking one of the two identical pills, and half of the other pill. I feel lucky to live in a time when antivirals have been discovered, and usually work.

[ling]

hi there, mom's 89 and had covid twice, both times given paxlovid.

Due to old age, her egfr is going towards stage 3b but her nephrologist doesn't think she has ckd.

The protocol for if paxlovid should be administered is -

kidney function should be tested and weight taken if necessary, and the patient should be seen by the doctor. For those frail and weak, paxlovid might not be prescribed.

Best wishes to you and hope you feel better soon.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to ling]

GFR naturally goes down with age and doesn’t necessarily mean you have CKD, yes.