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Overview: Livtencity is used to treat certain cytomegalovirus infections in people who have received transplants. The medicine prevents the virus from multiplying in the body. Common side effects include changes in taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tiredness. Before taking Livtencity, make sure to tell your health care provider about any medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is Livtencity used for?

Livtencity (maribavir) is commonly used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections that have not responded to other medicines in people who have received transplants.

Livtencity may not be the right drug for some CMV infections, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Viruses in some locations may have developed resistance to Livtencity, which will make it not work as well.

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

How does Livtencity work (mechanism of action)?

Livtencity prevents the cytomegalovirus from multiplying in the body by making it less able to create DNA.

How is Livtencity supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Livtencity

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 200 mg oral tablets

How should I store Livtencity?

Livtencity 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 you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Livtencity?

The most common side effects of Livtencity are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Change in how things taste
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Tiredness

There may be other side effects of Livtencity 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 (800-332-1088). 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 Livtencity?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Livtencity may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Livtencity 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 or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Livtencity?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Livtencity.

  • Livtencity
  • Maribavir
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

What should I know about Livtencity before using it?

Do not take Livtencity unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

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

Keep Livtencity out of the reach of children.

Swallow Livtencity tablets whole. If you cannot swallow whole tablets, you can break apart (disperse) the tablets in water or crush the tablets and mix them in water to take them by mouth. Do not mix Livtencity with any other liquid besides water. If you will be dispersing or crushing the tablets, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

If you have a nasogastric (NG) or orogastric (OG) tube (French size 10 or larger), you can disperse the tablets in water and take them through a NG or OG tube. If you will be taking Livtencity through a NG or OG tube, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

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

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 know if Livtencity is right for you.

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

Other Medicines and Supplements. Livtencity may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Livtencity, 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.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Livtencity 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 Livtencity 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 Livtencity while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Livtencity?

For more information about Livtencity, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.livtencity.com or call them at 877-825-3327.

Interactions

Does Livtencity interact with foods or drinks?

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

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

Does Livtencity 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 Livtencity.

  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others) or phenobarbital, which are medicines used to control seizures
  • Ganciclovir or valganciclovir (Valcyte), which are medicines used to prevent or treat CMV infections
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), everolimus (Afinitor, Torpenz, Zortress), sirolimus, or tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf), which are medicines used to suppress your immune system
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat an abnormal heart rhythm and heart failure
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infections
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Rosuvastatin (Crestor), which is a medicine used to treat high cholesterol

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Livtencity, 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 Livtencity. 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 Livtencity?

If you or someone else has used too much Livtencity, 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 Livtencity?

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

If you miss a 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.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Livtencity, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Livtencity or other similar medicines.