Paxlovid Mouth (Bitter) & Remedies | Occupational Therapist Explains

[@jcisking9622]

If you are not high risk...why would you take an experimental drug?

[@OTDUDE]

Good question. I won't say the reason because it's personal but my doctor considers me to be high risk (which I agree with in looking at the research). Older age is not the only high risk factor. But also as the primary caregiver of a baby, in our conversation, we decided that the benefits far outweigh the risks: prolonged symptoms, worse health outcomes because of my risk factors, getting my baby sick, spreading it to my community, etc. The only side effect I had was this taste. So in hindsight, this decision to take an experimental drug was well worth it and I would do it again if I caught COVID.

[@jcisking9622]

Ok. I can understand your choice. But again, I ask, if someone is not high risk....why would they take an experimental drug?

[@jcisking9622]

@@OTDUDE p.s. I really like your name 😊

[@OTDUDE]

@@jcisking9622 I think there could many other reasons. One important one is for research. If someone takes an experimental drug and gets better, that can let us know that it works. And to answer this question, we need human volunteers willing to take it. The more people that participate in the study, the more data we can and the more that we can be confident that the statistics tell us that the drug works (or not) for the broader population based on a smaller study of participants. Another reason is to minimize or avoid pain and suffering from symptoms such as due to COVID-19. Even if someone is not considered high risk, they can still experience significant symptoms. We had this happen with earlier variants such as Alpha when COVID first spread. Many "healthy", non-high risk people had to be hospitalized and sadly, many also died. If anything could be done to avoid this, people would be willing to take the risk of side effects. We run experiments all the time in our brains unconsciously when we make even simple decisions. Experiments should be seen as a positive ability that humans can do, just on a larger scale and effort to fight this disease and other diseases. 😀 And what's really interesting is some studies came out showing that people who report symptoms such as from the COVID vaccine are all psychological, because they were given a placebo and thought they got the real vaccine, when in reality, they didn't yet. Interesting isn't it?

[@OTDUDE]

@@jcisking9622 thanks! My wife came up with it so she gets the credit.

[@scottcook926]

During med regimen of Paxlovid, I had the metallic citrus taste. Bearable. Three days AFTER finishing meds, I had a horrible soapy, waxy, slimy, taste that led to lack of appetite and nausea, yet never regurgitating. It was horrible! Basically made me have a hangover/withdrawal from the meds. The meds did however immediately arrest the 4 day 103° fever I was experiencing prior to meds and minimized all my other COVID symptoms. So there's that.

[@nesco713]

Well I am going to pick up my pills today. I hope it reduces my fever. It's been about 102 and today is day three. Also, other symptoms.

[@kubii2404]

It’s bitter it’s so bitter I wakes me up out of sleep I’ve tried everything to get rid of the bitter taste literally makes me wanna throw up

[@asiapenelton9151]

It wake me up too

[@mpxz999]

Even mouth wash won't get rid of it. If I let chocolate melt in my mouth all over my tongue front to back, it helps... For about 10 seconds until the chocolate is gone. Coke, worthers original sucking candies, nothing seems to get rid of it

[@cherylmerete5956]

Drink more water

[@genisemcrath2008]

Hello how did you get rid of it.

[@crh2013]

My "Paxlovid mouth" registers like eating white grapefruit. Bleech! I received a gift of Jelly Belly jelly beans. Surprisingly, eating a few of these helped push back the bitter taste of Paxlovid. Sweetness was my solution. So for you, now might be the time to eat a chunk of grandma's fruit cake (you can't actually taste it anyway, it'll just mask that bitter taste). Happy holidays, y'all!

[@steelfalcon472]

The taste is like brushing your teeth and then drinking orange juice literally seconds after.

[@Oginaka]

I feel like I'd be able to tolerate the metallic taste more than the burnt rubber taste. I actually had a panic attack this night cause of it, also probably cause of my nose being so congested. It's only been day one so, I just wish the days would go by faster, so I don't have to taste it anymore. Also.. turns out now I have the diarrhea side effect.

[@KeizerHedorah]

ay yall we gone git thru this shit fosho keep faith homies

[@davedunkin725]

Pass de blunt over homie don't be a Bogart bruh

[@raineyd801]

On day 3 of Paxlovid. The taste is just unbearable. It’s like burnt bitter grapefruit mixed with a pill you tried to swallow but didn’t. Putting an Ice cube on my tongue helps. I just ordered Hot Tamale candy. I tried everything from brushing and mouthwash to mints, pepper, cinnamon and mustard. Hopefully the candy will help. Thanks for the positive thoughts as I was considering stopping the med.

[@noelmasson6719]

I found that an alcohol-based mouth wash every 6 hours eliminated the taste completely.

[@thomremington27]

some of the BEST information available ..!!! ...especially about dealing with NEGATIVE thoughts ..!!...(:could be worse ...??..could be hospitialized >...!!)

[@msdixie1972]

This stuff works. Being 51 (35 in my mind), is a “plus” in this case, since they want you to be high risk (which we aren’t, in any category 🎉) I felt like being put out to pasture on Day One this go-round, and hubby and I have both had it several times including year one. This, for me, has been the worst case I’ve had, but thanks to the Paxlovid it is definitely feeling very different on day three. Previously it stuck with both of us for weeks. Thankful, and the taste is a REAL THING! Thanks for the suggestions. I find drinking water and swishing helps, and we should drink lots of water, anyway. 😃

[@Km-cj6ej]

I hope your feeling better! Being put out to the pasture you made me laugh😂 I needed that. We have postive cases in our house right now😢

[@barbaraearly4860]

Had good experience with freeze pops, which also helped with a sore throat at the beginning. Trying cinnamon candy next. Thank you!

[@andyquach5786]

Don’t care how it tastes, if it turns out a negative test is a plus

[@rogerpedat]

Thank you, great information.

[@andyrini9237]

had really bad taste tried lots of candies but mentos purefresh sugarfree gum made with green tea extract really worked for me hope this can help someone get well soon GOD bless!

[@mariaddubkg531]

Omg! I took my first dose before bedtime and the sense of taste was so strong it woke me up out of my sleep! It tastes horrible! Not sure I want to deal with this for 5 days🤮

[@OTDUDE]

Blegh! Yeah it's such a weird taste. Hang in there!

[@ronaprescott4007]

Yeah, I’m hating I even started this crap at the suggestion of my hubby. Saw it was under EUA and I should have run the other way…NEVER AGAIN

[@leovargas760]

I feel the taste in back of my throat does anyone feel it the taste back of thier throat

[@randy9664]

Thank you and very good video. You touch on where does the taste come from, the physical pills during swallowing or after and from inside are body systems as we digest. I’ve just started paxlovid and it took just 1 hour to get the bitter taste. So with that said my brain is covidy atm. Either way some gummy bears helped for a short time. Your cognitive therapy suggestion of a count down also was helpful.

[@sandimiller2566]

Pretty awful. I can barely eat anything because everything tastes like crap. All I can taste is bitter. Cinnamon candy helps, or straight honey. But it’s temporary. Glad I’m half way through the treatment.

[@janettesainz7356]

Omg yes it’s horrible I tried all nothing helps it’s horrible help me

[@PoBoy028]

Fruit juice popsicles have helped me mask the taste.

[@joemueller2684]

Grapefruit rind bitter taste ..immediately after taking first dose ….it seems to get less before next dose …then strong again after dose …chicken broth helps a bit for me ….waiting it out …two more days …

[@PoBoy028]

Really helpful, informative video. Thank you so much.

[@OTDUDE]

Oops misspelled Paxlovid in the opening title.

[@xenodarsh3475]

It tastes like someone sprayed raid bug spray into my nose and down my throat. The only thing i can find that works is to use halls cherry relief throat lozenge's. It takes it from a 10 down to about a 3 or 4.

[@sierushest1991]

You mean the raid roach spray?

[@Danwilhelmi]

To me these comments don't do justice to how horrible Paxlovid mouth really is! I am 1 day into Paxlovid and want to stop if I can test covid negative after 8 days of covid hell ride with up to 105 fever. In all these comments no one has touched on this. Your thoughts please.

[@bobatl4990]

I have taken only two doses now and think the symptoms were more tolerable than these side effects.

[@andrewpackard7]

My doctor said it does not make you less contagious and it does nothing to affect the symptoms that’s what they actually said to me so I’m wondering well what good is it what does it do

[@hkfan4596]

Get a new doctor. He’s wrong.

[@rosew786]

For anyone that might come across this now, the thing I've found is mint gum. I know it doesn't help at night and wakes me up. 😫 But just an FYI. Good luck y'all!!

[@patclaus8510]

I just started Paxlovid but instantly started craving flavored coffee… hubby has been making mass quantities of this today and it does an amazing job of masking the taste of the drug. All in all it’s a very small price to pay to become cured of Covid!!

[@falconlover1356]

I had the best results when I ate half of a tuna sandwich and then took my pax and ate the other half of it

[@OTDUDE]

That's an interesting choice! Tuna has a strong flavor and with lots of mayonnaise that could do the trick!

[@delta9571]

Day 2 of meds and still having diarrhea with the bitter taste. It's so miserable not able to enjoy anything.

[@alouise3557]

I'm SICK of people saying "Talk to your doctor." Just stop. At this point, doctors are so fn clueless that they don't even care anymore.

[@Preview43]

Mehh... Paxlovid worked spectacularly for me. There wasn't any weird taste. It helped me avoid the worst symptoms that everyone around me had to endure.

[@beckyrehman1059]

It reminds me of a bitter pill! Thank you!

[@josephinegutierrez8857]

It’s bitter but I don’t mind I’m used to eating bitter food , fruits and vegetable like the bitter gourd. I can tolerate this rather than risking myself to be in an emergency room or probably die. Just sleep or do something and get busy in your home and ignore it.

[@Deafenough]

Have you ever went to the drive-thru and put the extra change in your cup holder and then you put your drink in that cup holder and you get home in the condensation is all over your change and then you bring the change into the house and then you just randomly forgot to wash your hands. This is like pre COVID and then you put your hand to your mouth and then your finger just tastes like wet pennies with a touch of salt and chlorine. No just me okay

[@Deafenough]

I'm about to break quarantine just to go get damn gum

[@tsukikage]

Chewing Extra gum has reactivated my TMJ. >

[@tanyaflemon1870]

Chewing Extra spearmint gum helped and fresh apples

[@mitchellsutter1105]

For me its very close to the taste of bitter melon, but it is not going away. I read to try cinnamon candy which I will try, as well as the tuna fish recommendation below..

[@tawnywitch]

My son with Down syndrome was prescribed this , he is 34 but as his symptoms were so mild with covid I decided I didn't want to experiment on him, he recovered in 5 days and was barely ill anyway, very glad I didn't use it.

[@dawggonevidz9140]

I find what aggravates the bitter, sour, metallic taste the least are the healthiest foods. Leafy salad greens. Fruit (oranges especially) Berries. Also these really yummy frozen fruit snacks (they're 99.9% fruit juice with a bit of vitamin C added.) If I eat or drink something which causes a unpleasant paxlovid mouth taste, I find the best and fastest remedy is to rinse my mouth out well with water then to chew a couple of fresh mint leaves. Hope that helps someone. Good reason to grow some herbs in pots!

[@patriced1174]

I thought the pills were stuck in my throat and that’s why I had the extreme bitterness in my mouth. I tried cough drops and that hasn’t worked. I’m going to try the Altoids.

[@sizzorkay12]

Started having itchy throat on August 5th, tested positive on the 6th, today is 10th and I'm now negative, I started using Paxlovid on the 8th, yea the taste in my mouth, gross. I used the transit system here in NYC for 5hrs daily commute from the beginning of this pandemic, and i never caught covid, then i asked myself, why now. Only thing changed in the last two weeks for me, i started eating raw vegetables and fruits, trying to eat clean, then i caught covid, now i think i might have caught it from contaminated raw food i bought at the grocery store, since that's the only thing I've changed.

[@XxFolksxX]

Same here I went to Las Vegas in the middle of pandemic no mask and recently got covid on day 2 of paxlovid

[@DoorDashers791]

Thanks for the video I was looking for a video on this. I started it today

[@janettesainz7356]

Gum helps I am reading the comments but this is helpful

[@june81917]

Thank you great information

[@KellyLS]

I don’t know why people are calling it a metallic taste. I would take a metallic taste all day long. Paxlovid makes me feel like a burning cigarette is in the back of my mouth. It is so awful, just hate it.

[@michaelp772]

I also had a pounding chest feeling and elevated anxiety.

[@truhunk1]

It taste like burnt rubber. It's like you have a piece of tire in your mouth. Also sort of taste like the smell of when you cut plexiglass plastic. It's not bad enough to stop treatment though. I've had worst hangover mouth.

[@Aesthetic_leen]

I have better taste in my throat not in the mouth... Like it travels from the back of my mouth to the throat. What can be the reason.. yes but I did have common cold for a week. Or 2... But I don't have any symptoms of it anymore... Then why is it happening?

[@FreshKicksAreSick]

The taste isn’t that bad and it goes away after awhile. I used water and juices to drown out any bad taste.

[@mpxz999]

Everyone's experience is different. For some people it's awful. For others it is mild. For others it doesn't happen at all.

[@SuperLADYD123]

This is absolutely the worst!! I’m currently on day 3 and I can not get rid of it!

[@nickstrapko7549]

I didnt have much bad taste. im into day 3 of the dosing. After laying down i could taste it but taking something to eat or drink or brushing the tounge helped

[@bettygarcia2025]

It’s terrible the taste. I keep vomiting and diarrea. I just took it for 3 days. Hopefully this taste goes away soon . I stop medicine 3 days ago still have the taste but my COVID test came negative!! Thanks God ! What helps me a lot was salty foods, cinnamon . No more vacations isn’t the time we take care a lot my husband is Physichian but young people don’t care. God bless all of you🙏🏻🙋‍♀️

[@OTDUDE]

Glad you're feeling better! Salty and cinnamon helped me too.

[@davedunkin725]

Try eating a can of cat food while taking the pills. Definitely got my mind off the taste of the pills. Meeeeeeeooow

[@monajamil8056]

I'm taking paxlovid to get better from covn19 , I'm get worse, taste very bitter no matter what I eat it wouldn't go away it 5,6 hrs. It makes me dry heaves a lot throwing up.

[@boogsassy1]

I’m starting it and haven’t experienced anything but I’ve only had one dose. I’m 45 and caught this from my teen, I wasn’t doing well, I have EoE and coughing is awful, and my sister caught it but has not been well for 3 wks, she has what I think is long covid. So I’m thinking this will be worth the awful taste, I had thrush when pregnant so I can handle it. 😂Thanks for the info, appreciate your time.

[@MoMac155]

Constant jolly ranchers help me. Unfortunately can’t sleep with them and it wakes me up. So my sleep is broken up but it’s going far better than my first time before the vaccine or anti-virals were available.

[@mskinetik]

Thanks for your video! This is my first time getting COVID. I appreciate your explanation of Paxlovid mouth. Never in my life did I imagine I would be ordering a 1.8lb bag of hot tamales for overnight delivery l😅 Good to have on hand just Incase. Just swallowed my first pills. Wish me luck.

[@tejano2k11]

How'd everything work out as far as the bitterness?

[@melissamoreland2969]

I feel like the taste is more like I sprayed Lysol in my mouth. I’ve been drinking hint water and sucking on jolly rancher candies.

[@animalsandiphones]

Minty gum has help lower the bitterness

[@mrpawpaw7023]

The tastes reminds me of burnt plastic. But really it's not that bad. Considering what this drug is doing for you it is pretty easy to ignore

[@blanchedevereaux5403]

This is very helpful, but the music is very distracting.

[@alyssaardenn]

I recently got Covid spending time with family around the holidays and WOW I got prescribed paxlovid yesterday. I took my first dose at 10pm last night and at 10am this morning I took more. My mouth TASTES ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. I’m sucking on a mint as we speak. Ugh does it go away at all

[@OTDUDE]

Yes the majority of time it will go away once you complete your treatment so I wouldn't worry about it.

[@zumbakat37]

@@OTDUDE i stopped the medication monday and it's Thursday and the taste has not gone away. This medication is poison. I hope this goes away

[@donnalthood3102]

So...Paxlovid mouth is supplied under emergency use authorization? Cracks me up!

[@OTDUDE]

All drugs come with side effects. Paxlovid (which can help to reduce suffering and prevent death) just happens to be used under EUA because of the benefits outweighing waiting for the research and data to come out.

[@michaelp772]

It's the most vile bitterness I've ever had. Tastes like bile. It's overwhelming and takes days to subside.

[@ncooper8438]

Lol. In the UK its prescribed to folks who have covid and are at high risk of serious illness, so its ridiculous to complain about covid mouth, they should grow up and be glad the drug is available to them!. Lo!

[@LoyaFrostwind]

It tastes like a combination of underripe yuzu and zinc lozenges.

[@karoespiritu4565]

Any advise for the gastrointestinal side effect; not sure if I should take something for the pain

[@OTDUDE]

Sorry I don't have any. I would recommend talking to your primary care team. Good luck!

[@TammysCoffeeTalks]

Maybe take an anti-nausea like Zofran before you take it

[@davidg5369]

Try Forever Mints. They last longer than say tic tacs.😊

[@brobasticbroham446]

Some foods will still taste good prime rib is a good example reach out to the gay poz community for recipes that taste good with paxlovid mouth they have been taking these for decades.

[@jacobs4985]

@6:42 Remedies start from here.

[@Guns_and_Saints]

When you stop taking it, does the Paxlovid taste go away and your original taste comes back?

[@OTDUDE]

Yeah from what others are saying. It did for me!

[@cindysteele2288]

Paxlovid mouth

[@MotleyCrue4Ever]

I described it as chewing on burnt aluminum foil.

[@altonsteel5145]

Worst 5 days of my life on this Paxlovid the taste wow nasty it does fade after day 3 into 4 ,I could not sleep on it was up for 5 days. Been two weeks stuff starting to taste normal now only thing I still have is a odd sweat on my lip that started when I got covid 19 and not gone away yet :(.

[@RenaConroy-s5y]

i take minties lollies or sweet &sour lollies to get rid of that taste when taking paxlovid.

[@truckingwithtobee]

This taste so bad it’s making me want to stop taking it all together. I’m on the third dosage right now.

[@Pkafa]

Its horrible!!!!!! It was soooo strong that i could sleep. The other main issue is the gastro issues. My acid was sooooo mad

[@Rose-xx9uw]

This taste was horrible ! I used hard Carmel candies and it really helped ❤be safe all

[@tanyaflemon1870]

On my last day of Paxlovid OMG that awful awful taste.

[@tanyaflemon1870]

Stopped my symptoms by day 2. Very effective

[@nana6]

I had to stop taking it!!👍🏾

[@Deafenough]

Sometimes it tastes like I went over to a white friend's house and they attempted to make crab rangoons with imitation crab and cream cheese and then let it sit out for a couple days and it taste like that sometimes

[@OTDUDE]

That's very interesting!

[@randy9664]

Thats how I make it, no wonder nobody comes to dinner anymore. 😂

[@Deafenough]

@@randy9664 LMAO 🤣

[@scar284]

Smh

[@lisaratley4858]

How long will this taste last? Yucky!

[@nicebluejay]

funny taste? more like a criminal taste.

[@robertdancho9671]

Does it cause you to loose teeth?

[@GooglePlusPages]

Loose or lose teeth?

[@edbyrnes]

Peppermint patties worked for me

[@AquarianNomadic]

Avoid the AIDS drug.

[@港完]

It taste like bitter grapefruit afyer yaste to me

[@DoorDashers791]

The new variant didn't show up on a home covid test. I had bloodwork done to confirm covid19

[@OTDUDE]

That's interesting. Good to know that it doesn't show up sometimes.

[@DoorDashers791]

@@OTDUDE I took 4 at home tests all negative in a 7 day period bloodwork was positive yesterday

[@leeannhiquiana5793]

My second day gosh 😭😭😭

[@leovargas760]

I taste this nasty taste in the back of my throat does anyone have it behind the throat ?

[@IAmTracyReady]

This paxmouth is so so nasty

[@Hero-hs4gt]

It’s tastes like infection. Fruity Mentos helped me.

[@lazaromarinrosasr]

It does taste really bad.

[@robertfranco3713]

It is a horrible taste I want to stop taking it.

[@matt2d2007]

I eat lemonheads

[@edgeavalanchee]

Ricola

[@Danwilhelmi]

directions say no vitamin or herb

[@bnk28zfp]

my taiste is gone aftre paxlovid treetment , please advice

[@OTDUDE]

Sorry to hear you have lost your taste. It's likely that you may have lost your taste along with COVID-19 and not due to Paxlovid. Hard to tell. Either way, the sense of smell and taste tends to come back after a period of time. Some people have had success retraining their taste by eating simpler foods with less flavors. Also experiment with colder or warmer foods. Good luck!

[@bnk28zfp]

thank you!!

[@bnk28zfp]

hot orange with brown sugar not work for me 😢

[@tubehead8203]

It's like putting bc powder under each side of your tongue. 🥵🥵

[@rickusifer4574]

The word is “resonate”, not “resignate”, as in “if this resonates with you”.

[@OTDUDE]

Thanks Rick ive been trying to pronounce this word correctly for ages but it never sticks :)

[@awttygaming2510]

I refuse to take any more idc I have covid if I die maybe don't make a disgusting ass pill