Prevymis (letermovir)

Antiviral - CMV Infection Intravenous Vial (Ml); Oral Pellets In Packet (Ea); Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Letermovir, an antiviral agent, is a DNA terminase complex inhibitor active against cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Letermovir, a quinazoline antiviral agent, is a cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA terminase complex inhibitor. CMV DNA terminase complex is a heterodimeric enzyme with several protein subunits (pUL51, pUL56, pUL89) and is required for viral DNA processing and packaging. Letermovir inhibits the terminase complex, thereby interfering with production of proper-length genomes and virion maturation.

Following oral administration of letermovir doses of 240-480 mg (without cyclosporine) in healthy individuals, oral bioavailability of the drug is 94%. In hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, oral bioavailability is 35% in those receiving letermovir 480 mg once daily (without cyclosporine) and 85% in those receiving letermovir 240 mg once daily (with cyclosporine). The median time to peak plasma concentrations following an oral dose of letermovir is 1.5-3.0 hours.

When the drug is administered with food, peak plasma concentrations are 30% higher and AUC is similar to that observed when the drug is administered in the fasting state. The AUC and peak plasma concentration were comparable when comparing letermovir oral tablet and pellets at a 240 mg dose. Following IV infusion of letermovir, peak plasma concentrations occur at the end of the infusion.

Steady-state concentrations are achieved within 9-10 days. Letermovir is 99% bound to plasma proteins. Following IV administration of letermovir 480 mg once daily, the mean terminal half-life is 12 hours.

Letermovir is metabolized to a minor extent by uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 and 1A3 and is eliminated via hepatic uptake by organic anion transporter polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and 1B3. Following a single oral dose of letermovir, 93% of the dose is excreted in feces (70% as unchanged drug) and less than 2% is excreted in urine.

USES: This medication is used to prevent disease caused by a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) in people who have received a bone marrow transplant or kidney transplant. CMV disease can cause serious infections, including an infection in the eye, called CMV retinitis, that can cause blindness. Letermovir is an anti-viral drug.

It works by stopping the growth of the virus.

Generic name: letermovir
Pronunciation: (le-TERM-oh-vir)
Drug class: Antiviral - CMV Infection
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Prevymis:

  • Prevention Of Cmv Disease After Kidney Transplantation
  • Prevention Of Cytomegalovirus Infection After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Also known as: Cytomegalovirus Infection Prophylaxis After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis After Kidney Transplantation, Prevention Of Cmv Disease After Renal Transplantation.

Dosing

Dosage of oral and IV letermovir is identical. Dosage adjustments are not needed when switching formulations in adult and pediatric patients >=12 years of age.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

*Concomitant use of letermovir with pimozide or ergot alkaloids is contraindicated.

*Concomitant use of letermovir with pitavastatin or simvastatin is contraindicated in patients also receiving concomitant cyclosporine.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects occurring in 10% or more of adults receiving letermovir for HSCT and at a frequency at least 2% greater than placebo include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, peripheral edema, cough, headache, fatigue, and abdominal pain.

Adverse effects occurring in 10% or more of adults receiving letermovir for kidney transplantation and at a frequency greater than valgancyclovir include diarrhea.

Adverse events in pediatric patients are similar to adults.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Prevention of CMV disease after kidney transplantation
Z94.0ICD10CMKidney transplant status
Prevention of cytomegalovirus infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Z94.81ICD10CMBone marrow transplant status
Z94.84ICD10CMStem cells transplant status

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data