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Paxlovid coronavirus medicine

On this page, you can assess whether you belong to any of the groups eligible for the Paxlovid treatment and what you have to do to receive the medicine.

What is Paxlovid? 

Paxlovid is an oral coronavirus medicine used in outpatient treatment for people aged 18 or over and at risk of developing the severe form of COVID-19 due to illness, immunosuppressive medication, or age. Paxlovid prevents the coronavirus from replicating in the body of the infected person. The active substances in Paxlovid are nirmatrelvir (on the package: PF-07321332) and ritonavir.  

The medication should be started as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms and within 5 days at the latest. Paxlovid interacts with different drugs. Before starting the treatment, your other medication must be checked to exclude an interaction. The duration of the treatment is 5 days. Paxlovid is offered to you free of charge.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has determined the extended target groups for the new coronavirus medicine Paxlovid. 

 

You may receive the medicine if 

  • you are aged 18 or over and 
  • you have a coronavirus infection that has been diagnosed in a PCR or antigen coronavirus test conducted in a laboratory (book a time for the test in the koronabotti.hus.fi service) and  
  • any symptom or symptoms of the coronavirus disease (check the symptoms here) and  
  • you belong to one of the groups listed below.

NB! A previous COVID-19 infection is considered equivalent to one vaccine dose.

You cannot get the medicine if

  • you are under 18 years old 
  • you are pregnant (Note! Breastfeeding does not prevent you from getting the medicine, but you must discontinue breastfeeding for the duration of the treatment and for an additional 7 days after taking the last tablet.) 
  • you are hypersensitive to the active substances or the excipients (you will find the product label here)
  • you have severe hepatic insufficiency (such as Child-Pugh Class C) 
  • you have severe renal insufficiency (eGFR below 30ml/min), also includes dialysis patients 
  • you take a medicine that interacts with the drug ingredients of Paxlovid (drug interaction) according to a physician assessment.  

Target groups for the medication among certain patients monitored in specialized medical care at HUS

Check below if you belong to any of the target groups for Paxlovid medication. The Paxlovid medication should be started as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms and within 5 days from their onset at the latest. See the contact information below.

Patients in target group 1: Contact the specialized healthcare unit responsible for your care or the HUS region’s centralized Paxlovid helpline at Pihlajalinna tel. 040 541 1688 Mon–Sun 9:00 a.m.–4 p.m.

Patients in target groups 2–4: Contact the HUS region’s centralized Paxlovid helpline at Pihlajalinna tel. 040 541 1688 Mon–Sun 9:00 a.m.–4 p.m.

Residents in the Keusote area: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4 p.m., use Omaolo or call the number 019 226 0099 (dial 3, coronavirus).

1. Severe immune system disorders and cancer patients

You must be aged 18 or over. You vaccination background does not affect starting the medication.






2: Patients at a very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 due to an underlying condition

Patients over the age of 18 who have not been vaccinated or have only had one vaccine dose. Patients over the age of 60 regardless of their vaccination status, except those who have type 2 diabetes that requires medication and have received fewer than four vaccine doses.





3. Patients at a risk of severe illness from COVID-19 due to an underlying condition

Patients at a risk of severe illness from COVID-19 due to an underlying condition
Patients over the age of 40 who have not been vaccinated or have only had one vaccine dose.

Exception: With morbid obesity (BMI over 40), also persons under the age of 40 who have not been vaccinated or have only had one vaccine dose are included in the target group.










4. Persons over the age of 80 who live independently at home

Persons aged 80 or older if they have had fewer than 4 vaccine doses


Paxlovid cannot be prescribed by private clinics and the medicine is not available on prescription in private pharmacies.

 

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