Letermovir

Products

Letermovir was approved in the United States in 2017 and in the EU and many countries in 2018 in tablet form and as an intravenous solution for injection (Prevymis).

Structure and properties

Letermovir (C29H28F4N4O4, Mr = 572.6 g/mol)

Effects

Letermovir (ATC J05AX18) has antiviral properties. The effects are due to inhibition of the CMV DNA terminase complex (pUL51, pUL56, and pUL89), which is required for viral DNA processing and packaging.

Indications

For prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Dosage

According to the SmPC. The drug is administered orally once daily as tablets or as an intravenous infusion.

Contraindications

For complete precautions, see the drug label.

Interactions

Letermovir is a substrate of OATP1B1/3 and a moderate CYP3A inhibitor. It may cause interactions with CYP substrates.

Adverse effects

The most common potential adverse effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, peripheral edema, cough, headache, fatigue, and abdominal pain.