Prevymis (Letermovir) is a prescription medication used to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in adults who have received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant and who have a high risk of getting CMV infection and disease. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that rarely causes problems in healthy people. The virus can cause severe illness or even death in people with weak immune systems, especially after receiving an organ or bone marrow transplant. Prevymis is also used to prevent CMV infection and disease in CMV seronegative adults who have received a kidney transplant from a CMV seropositive donor. The active ingredient in Prevymis is Letermovir. Letermovir belongs to a class of medicines called antivirals. It works by inhibiting viral replication to prevent CMV infection.
Manufacturer Information
We currently offer the brand Prevymis from Canada manufactured by Merck in the strength of 240mg/1 vial and 480mg/1 vial solution for injection. The generic Letermovir is not available.
Get medical help immediately if you have any of these signs or an allergic reaction while receiving Prevymis. The most common side effects of Prevymis may include the following:
• Cough;
• Headache;
• Nausea;
• Stomach pain;
• Tiredness
Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the severe side effects, including:
• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats;
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, swelling of the face and throat, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting
These are not all of the side effects of Prevymis. Always contact your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
You should not receive Prevymis if you are allergic to Letermovir or any ingredient in Prevymis. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you:
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed;
• Are pregnant or planning to be pregnant;
• Have diabetes;
• Have high cholesterol;
• Have kidney disease;
• Have liver disease
Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be drug interactions between Prevymis and pimozide, pitavastatin, ergotamine, methylergonovine, cyclosporine, etc. Avoid apixaban, clozapine, quinidine, ketoconazole, calcitriol, or dapsone with Prevymis. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Prevymis will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Letermovir passes into breast milk or if it may affect a nursing infant. Use Prevymis precisely as prescribed by your doctor. Prevymis solution is prepared for injection and administered as an infusion into the vein. Your doctor will administer the first dose and may teach you how to use the medication yourself properly. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection or adequately dispose of the needles. Do not shake the injection solution bottle. Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give an injection. Each vial of Prevymis solution is for one use only. You may use this drug once per day for up to 100 days if you have had a stem cell transplant and for up to 200 days if you have had a kidney transplant. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if you have no symptoms. Skipping doses may increase your risk of further infection resistant to medication. Store the unmixed injection solution in its original packaging at room temperature. Keep away from moisture, heat, and light.