COVID-19

Weird Aftertaste from Paxlovid COVID Pills. Why and How Long Does It Last?

Janelle Campbell
Janelle Campbell23 Apr 2024
Reviewed and Fact Checked ✔️

If you’ve taken Paxlovid recently, you might have noticed it leaves a weird, metallic taste behind. If you haven’t, here’s how people describe the experience:

“Rough night. 2 hrs of sleep. Cold then sweating profusely. Congestion is not as bad as yesterday morning. The aftertaste of the Paxlovid is horrible. Leaves a metallic like nasty taste. Suggest gum.” - CoptorDoctor

“Well that Paxlovid metallic taste was no joke - came on an hour after the first dose! Gross”. - Mercy Brown

“Day 8 of COVID. I finished the Paxlovid 5 day pill plan. I won’t miss the metallic taste. I’m feeling better, fatigue is down, sinuses cleared up. Woo Hoo!” - Andrew Goss

The metallic taste you experience after taking some medications and illnesses isn’t a new phenomenon. Some medicines and conditions can cause this side effect called dysgeusia which means altered or impaired sense of taste. Usually, this comes with taking certain antibiotics like amoxicillin, metronidazole, and captopril. Unless a medical condition causes your dysgeusia, the metallic taste will go away once you stop taking the medication.

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Janelle Campbell

Janelle is a Marketing Manager at Mira. She is excited to bring more accessible health care to the underinsured.

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