Paxlovid and pregnancy
Paxlovid is not recommended in pregnancy because little is known about its effects on the baby.
Do not take Paxlovid if you are pregnant. If you are contacted and offered the medicine, tell them that you are pregnant. They may be able to offer you other treatments that can be taken in pregnancy.
Paxlovid can stop combined oral contraceptive pills ("the pill") from working properly. If you are taking Paxlovid, it's important to use effective barrier contraception (a condom, female condom, diaphragm or cap) for the full 5 days of treatment and until you've had 1 full menstrual cycle.
If you're pregnant it's important you have the COVID-19 vaccine to help prevent the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Contact your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Paxlovid, or shortly after, and report it to the UK COVID-19 Antivirals in Pregnancy Registry by phoning 0344 892 0909, or ask your doctor to do this for you.
Paxlovid and breastfeeding
The manufacturers advise that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Paxlovid and for 7 days after the last dose.
Ritonavir passes into breast milk in tiny amounts, but it is not known how much nirmatrelvir passes into breast milk.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding as specialist advice is available to them. They can discuss your individual situation with you and the risks and benefits of taking Paxlovid while breastfeeding.
Paxlovid and fertility
It's not known whether taking Paxlovid will affect fertility in either men or women.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:
- trying to get pregnant
- pregnant
- breastfeeding