What Is Prevymis Used For?

Prevymis contains letermovir, an antiviral medication specifically designed to protect transplant patients from a potentially serious viral infection.

Primary Uses

Prevymis is used to prevent CMV (cytomegalovirus) infection in adults who have recently received a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant or kidney transplant. It’s prescribed when your immune system is weakened after transplant surgery, making you more vulnerable to CMV illness.

How It Works

Prevymis works by preventing your body from making more CMV virus. While CMV doesn’t typically harm people with healthy immune systems, it can cause serious illness in transplant patients whose immune systems are suppressed.

How to Take Prevymis

Prevymis can be taken as tablets or given through an IV infusion, depending on your doctor’s recommendation and your specific situation.

Dosage Instructions

For tablets: Take 1 tablet once daily. Swallow the tablet whole – don’t break, crush, or chew it. You can take it with or without food. Take Prevymis at about the same time each day. For IV infusion: You’ll receive Prevymis once daily over about 1 hour at a medical facility.

What If You Miss a Dose?

For tablets: Don’t take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist. For IV infusion: If you miss your appointment, reschedule it right away. It’s important not to miss or skip doses.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• swelling in arms and legs
• cough
• headache
• tiredness
• stomach (abdominal) pain
• low number of white blood cells

Important Warnings

Before starting Prevymis, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.

Who Should Not Take Prevymis

Don’t use Prevymis if you’re allergic to letermovir or any ingredients in the medication. Don’t take it if you’re using pimozide (for Tourette’s syndrome) or ergot alkaloids (for migraines). If you’re taking Prevymis with ciclosporin, avoid pitavastatin or simvastatin.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor about any allergies to medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives, any other medical conditions you have, and all medications you’re currently taking for any conditions.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

It’s unknown if Prevymis will harm your baby during pregnancy or if it passes into breast milk. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.

Drug Interactions

Prevymis can interact with many medications, potentially affecting how they work or increasing side effects. Always inform your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.

• alfentanil, fentanyl (for severe pain)
• amiodarone (for irregular heartbeats)
• midazolam (sedative)
• quinidine (for abnormal heart rhythms)
• ciclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus (prevent transplant rejection)
• voriconazole (antifungal)
• statins like atorvastatin, pitavastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin (for high cholesterol)
• omeprazole, pantoprazole (for stomach problems)
• glyburide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone (for diabetes)
• carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin (for seizures)
• warfarin (blood thinner)
• nafcillin (antibiotic)
• rifabutin, rifampicin (antibiotics including for tuberculosis)
• thioridazine (for psychiatric disorders)
• bosentan (for high blood pressure)
• St. John’s wort (herbal product)
• efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine (for HIV)
• modafinil (for wakefulness)

Alcohol & Driving

The source material doesn’t provide specific information about alcohol consumption or driving restrictions while taking Prevymis.

Storage

Store Prevymis tablets below 30°C. Keep tablets in their original blister pack until you’re ready to take them – they may not keep as well if removed from the packaging. Store Prevymis concentrated injection vials below 25°C in the original carton to protect from light. Keep the medication in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.

Overdose Information

If you think you’ve taken too much Prevymis, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you don’t feel unwell or show signs of poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions