6 mins read

Overview: Prevymis is used to prevent a viral infection called cytomegalovirus in certain people who have received hematopoietic stem cell transplants or kidney transplants. It prevents the virus from multiplying in the body. Common side effects include diarrhea, swelling in the arms or legs, cough, headache, tiredness, nausea, and stomach pain. Before taking Prevymis, make sure to tell your health care provider about any medicines you are taking. Prevymis is available as an oral tablet, oral pellets, and an injectable form.

Uses

What is Prevymis used for?

Prevymis (letermovir) is commonly used to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in certain people who have received hematopoietic stem cell transplants or kidney transplants.

Prevymis may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Prevymis work (mechanism of action)?

Prevymis prevents cytomegalovirus from multiplying in the body by disrupting its ability to create DNA.

How is Prevymis supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Prevymis

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 240 mg and 480 mg oral tablets
  • 20 mg and 120 mg packets of oral pellets

Prevymis is also available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store Prevymis?

Prevymis should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep the medicine in the original container until you are ready to take it.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Prevymis?

The most common side effects of Prevymis are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Swelling in your arms or legs
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Stomach pain

There may be other side effects of Prevymis that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Prevymis?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Prevymis are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Prevymis may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Prevymis and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Prevymis?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Prevymis.

  • Letermovir
  • Prevymis
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Prevymis.

Drug Interactions. Prevymis should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Prevymis, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Prevymis before using it?

Do not use Prevymis unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Take Prevymis every day. Consider using a calendar or app to help you remember to take this medicine each day. The medicine may not work well if you miss doses.

Do not share Prevymis with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Prevymis out of the reach of children.

Swallow Prevymis tablets whole.

Do not crush or chew Prevymis oral pellets. Prevymis oral pellets can be mixed with soft food (such as applesauce or pudding) and taken by mouth, or they can be given through a nasogastric tube (NG tube) or gastric tube (G tube). If you will be taking Prevymis oral pellets, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Prevymis?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Prevymis is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Prevymis could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Prevymis passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Prevymis while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Prevymis?

For more information about Prevymis, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.prevymis.com or call them at 800-444-2080.

Interactions

Does Prevymis interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Prevymis and foods or drinks.

There are no known interactions between Prevymis and alcohol, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. 

Does Prevymis interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Prevymis.

  • Amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone), which is a medicine used to treat abnormal heart rhythms
  • Bosentan (Tracleer), which is a medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf), or sirolimus, which is a medicine used to suppress your immune system
  • Efavirenz, etravirine (Intelence), or nevirapine (Viramune), which is a medicine used to treat HIV
  • Glyburide or repaglinide, which is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes
  • Midazolam (Nayzilam), which is a medicine used for seizures
  • Modafinil (Provigil), which is a medicine used to increase wakefulness in certain people
  • Nafcillin, which is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others) or phenobarbital, which is a medicine used to control seizures
  • Pimozide, which is a medicine used to treat Tourette Syndrome
  • Quinidine, which is a medicine used to treat malaria or control your heart rate or rhythm 
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used to treat fungal infections
  • Thioridazine, which is a medicine used to treat schizophrenia
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • An ergot, such as dihydroergotamine (Migranal or Trudhesa) or ergotamine (Ergomar), which is a medicine used to treat migraine 
  • A statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), pitavastatin (Livalo), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor), which is a medicine used to treat cholesterol

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Prevymis, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Prevymis. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Prevymis?

If you or someone else has used too much Prevymis, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Prevymis?

Missing doses of Prevymis can cause it to not work as well over time. So, it is important not to miss or skip doses.

Oral Tablets or Oral Pellets. If you miss a Prevymis tablet or oral pellet dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Injection Liquid. Prevymis injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving Prevymis as scheduled.