What is LETERMOVIR used for?

LETERMOVIR is used to prevent CMV infection and disease in people who have had stem cell or kidney transplants.

Can I take PREVYMIS if I am pregnant?

There is not enough information to know if PREVYMIS is safe during pregnancy, so you should talk to your doctor.

What are the most common side effects of PREVYMIS?

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and fatigue.

Does LETERMOVIR interact with other medications?

Yes, LETERMOVIR has many significant interactions, especially with drugs like cyclosporine and pimozide.

How should I take the PREVYMIS tablets?

Tablets are typically taken once daily by mouth, but your doctor will provide specific instructions based on your transplant type.

Is PREVYMIS safe for children?

Yes, it is indicated for certain pediatric patients based on their age and weight.

What should I do if I take too much LETERMOVIR?

There is no specific antidote, so you should seek medical attention to manage any symptoms that occur.

Are there risks with the IV version of PREVYMIS?

The IV version contains an ingredient that may cause ear-related problems, especially in patients with kidney issues.

letermovir | CAS 917389-32-3 | FWYSMLBETOMXAG

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Antiviral

LETERMOVIR (brand name PREVYMIS) is an antiviral medicine used to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections and disease in certain transplant patients, including those who have received stem cell or kidney transplants.

How it worksLETERMOVIR works as a DNA terminase inhibitor, which means it stops the CMV virus from replicating by targeting its DNA machinery.

Brand names:PREVYMIS

Used for

Preventing CMV infection and disease in adult and pediatric stem cell transplant recipients (6 months and older, weighing at least 6 kg).Preventing CMV disease in adult and pediatric kidney transplant recipients at high risk (12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg).

Conditions

Cytomegalovirus infection and disease

Class

AntiviralDNA Terminase InhibitorImmune SystemDigestive System

How to take

FormsOral tablets (240 mg and 480 mg), Oral pellets (20 mg and 120 mg packets), Intravenous (IV) injection

RoutesOral, Intravenous

For most adult and pediatric transplant patients, the dose is 480 mg once daily. If taking cyclosporine, the dose may need to be reduced to 240 mg once daily.

The IV version must be diluted and given through a specific type of sterile filter. For stem cell transplant patients, the medication is typically taken for 100 days, though it may be continued up to 200 days if the risk of late infection is high. Kidney transplant patients usually take it through 200 days post-transplant.

Key warnings

·Significant drug interactions can occur, which might make PREVYMIS less effective or cause harmful side effects from other drugs.
·The IV formulation contains hydroxypropyl betadex, which may cause ear-related issues (ototoxicity), especially in patients with kidney problems.
·Taking PREVYMIS with pimozide or ergot alkaloids is not recommended because it can dangerously increase the levels of those drugs in your body.

Do not use if

·Patients taking pimozide
·Patients taking ergot alkaloids
·Patients taking pitavastatin

Side effects

Common

NauseaDiarrheaVomitingSwelling in the hands or feet (peripheral edema)CoughHeadacheFatigueAbdominal pain

Serious

·Potential for drug interactions that cause adverse reactions
·Risk of ear toxicity (ototoxicity) with the IV version due to hydroxypropyl betadex
·Potential for increased concentrations of other drugs like pimozide or ergot alkaloids

Seek help if

·Signs of serious drug interactions
·Significant changes in hearing

Interactions

·Cyclosporine (may require a dose reduction of LETERMOVIR)
·Pimozide (can cause dangerous increases in pimozide levels)
·Ergot alkaloids like ergota mine or dihydroergotamine (can cause ergotism)
·Pitavastatin
·Other drugs listed in clinical data such as PROGRAF, VFEND, OPILL, DILANTIN, ONMEL, FYARRO, RELA, RIFA DIN, OVIDE, and MELLARIL

Special populations

PregnancyNo adequate human data is available to determine if LETERMOVIR is safe during pregnancy. Animal studies showed some developmental risks at high doses.

PediatricPREVYMIS is used in pediatric patients (6 months and older for stem cell transplants; 12 years and older for kidney transplants) under specific weight and health conditions.

GeriatricPREVYMIS has been studied in older adults, and it appears to be just as safe and effective as it is in younger patients. No age-based dose changes are typically needed.

Talk to your doctor

Monitor

·CMV reactivation
·Hearing/Ear health (if using IV)
·Signs of drug interactions

Questions to ask

·How will PREVYMIS interact with my other transplant medications?
·Should I monitor my hearing while using the IV version?
·What is the exact dosing schedule for my specific transplant type?

Pharmacokinetics

BioavailabilityThe AUC for 480 mg oral once daily in adult HSCT recipients is 34,400 ng·hr/mL, while the IV dose is 100,000 ng·hr/mL.

MetabolismLETERMOVIR is a substrate of organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1/3 (OATP1B1/3) transporters and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1/3 (UGT1A1/3) enzymes.

Practical

OverdoseThere is no specific antidote for an overdose of LETERMOVIR. Patients should be monitored for side effects and treated based on their symptoms.

StorageStore tablets in the original package to protect from moisture at room temperature (68°F to 77°F).

Ingredients

Allergens

lactose

Inactive

colloidal silicon dioxidecroscarmellose sodiummagnesium stearatemicrocrystalline cellulosepovidone 25hypromellose 2910iron oxide rediron oxide yellowlactose monohydratetitanium dioxidetriacetincarnauba waxhydroxypropyl betadexsodium chloridesodium hydroxidewater

Educational summary derived from FDA labeling, AI-assisted. Not medical advice — consult a healthcare professional. Updated 2026-04-25.