Mechanism of action for PREVYMIS® (letermovir)

A novel CMV DNA terminase complex inhibitor1

PREVYMIS works differently compared to other CMV prophylaxis agents

PREVYMIS acts late in the CMV replication cycle after DNA synthesis via a distinct mechanism of action2

  • PREVYMIS inhibits the CMV DNA terminase complex (pUL51, pUL56, and pUL89) which is required for viral DNA processing and packaging

View the Mechanism of Action for PREVYMIS® (letermovir) in a CMV-Infected Cell

MOA of PREVYMIS in a CMV-infected human cell

Cross resistance between PREVYMIS and drugs outside of this class is unlikely

  • PREVYMIS, a CMV DNA terminase complex inhibitor, is fully active against viral populations with substitutions that confer resistance to CMV DNA polymerase inhibitors (cidofovir, foscarnet, and ganciclovir)
  • CMV DNA polymerase inhibitors (cidofovir, foscarnet, and ganciclovir) are expected to be fully active against viral populations with substitutions conferring resistance to PREVYMIS

Consider PREVYMIS for a unique MOA

References

  1. Razonable RR, Humar A. Cytomegalovirus in solid organ transplant recipients—guidelines of the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Clin Transplant. 2019;33(9):e13512. doi:10.1111/ctr.13512
  2. Goldner T, Hewlett G, Ettischer N, Ruebsamen-Schaeff H, Zimmermann H, Lischka P. The novel anticytomegalovirus compound AIC246 (letermovir) inhibits human cytomegalovirus replication through a specific antiviral mechanism that involves the viral terminase. J Virol. 2011;85(20):10884-10893. doi:10.1128/JVI.05265-11

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Indications

PREVYMIS® (letermovir) is indicated for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adult CMV-seropositive recipients [R+] of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

 

PREVYMIS® is indicated for prophylaxis of CMV disease in adult kidney transplant recipients at high risk (Donor CMV seropositive/Recipient CMV seronegative [D+/R-]).

Selected Safety Information

  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated in patients receiving pimozide or ergot alkaloids.
      • Increased pimozide concentrations may lead to QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.
      • Increased ergot alkaloids concentrations may lead to ergotism.
  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated with pitavastatin and simvastatin when co-administered with cyclosporine. Significantly increased pitavastatin or simvastatin concentrations may lead to myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
  • The concomitant use of PREVYMIS and certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse reactions (PREVYMIS or concomitant drugs) or reduced therapeutic effect of PREVYMIS or the concomitant drug.
  • Intravenous formulation of PREVYMIS contains the excipient hydroxypropyl betadex. PREVYMIS injection should be used only in patients unable to take oral therapy and patients should be switched to oral PREVYMIS as soon as they are able to take oral medications. If possible, intravenous administration should not exceed 4 weeks.
  • In patients with renal impairment, accumulation of hydroxypropyl betadex may occur. In adult patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min and in pediatric patients with a similar degree of renal impairment (based on age-appropriate assessment of renal function) receiving PREVYMIS injection, closely monitor serum creatinine levels.
  • Animal studies have shown the potential for hydroxypropyl betadex to cause ototoxicity. The active ingredient, letermovir, is not known to be associated with ototoxicity.
  • The rate of adverse events occurring in at least 10% of adult HSCT recipients treated with PREVYMIS and at a frequency at least 2% greater than placebo were nausea (27% vs 23%), diarrhea (26% vs 24%), vomiting (19% vs 14%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), cough (14% vs 10%), headache (14% vs 9%), fatigue (13% vs 11%), and abdominal pain (12% vs 9%).
  • Hypersensitivity reaction, with associated moderate dyspnea, occurred in one adult HSCT recipient following the first infusion of IV PREVYMIS after switching from oral PREVYMIS, leading to treatment discontinuation.
  • The most common adverse event occurring in at least 10% of adult kidney transplant recipients treated with PREVYMIS and at a frequency greater than valganciclovir was diarrhea (32% vs 29%).
  • If PREVYMIS is co-administered with cyclosporine, the dosage of PREVYMIS should be decreased to 240 mg once daily.
  • Co-administration of PREVYMIS may alter the plasma concentrations of other drugs and other drugs may alter the plasma concentrations of PREVYMIS. Consult the full Prescribing Information prior to and during treatment for potential drug interactions.
  • Closely monitor serum creatinine levels in patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min using PREVYMIS injection.
  • PREVYMIS is not recommended for patients with severe (Child-Pugh Class C) hepatic impairment.
  • For patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) greater than 10 mL/min (by Cockcroft-Gault equation), no dosage adjustment of PREVYMIS is required based on renal impairment. The safety of PREVYMIS in patients with end-stage renal disease (CLcr less than 10 mL/min), including patients on dialysis, is unknown.

Before prescribing PREVYMIS® (letermovir), please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information and Instructions for Use also are available.

Indications

PREVYMIS® (letermovir) is indicated for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adult CMV-seropositive recipients [R+] of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

 

PREVYMIS® is indicated for prophylaxis of CMV disease in adult kidney transplant recipients at high risk (Donor CMV seropositive/Recipient CMV seronegative [D+/R-]).

PREVYMIS® (letermovir) is indicated for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adult

PREVYMIS® (letermovir) is indicated for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adult CMV-seropositive recipients [R+] of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

PREVYMIS® is indicated for prophylaxis of CMV disease in adult kidney transplant recipients at high risk (Donor CMV seropositive/Recipient CMV seronegative [D+/R-]).

Selected Safety Information

  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated in patients receiving pimozide or ergot alkaloids.
      • Increased pimozide concentrations may lead to QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.
      • Increased ergot alkaloids concentrations may lead to ergotism.
  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated with pitavastatin and simvastatin when co-administered with cyclosporine. Significantly increased pitavastatin or simvastatin concentrations may lead to myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
  • The concomitant use of PREVYMIS and certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse reactions (PREVYMIS or concomitant drugs) or reduced therapeutic effect of PREVYMIS or the concomitant drug.
  • Intravenous formulation of PREVYMIS contains the excipient hydroxypropyl betadex. PREVYMIS injection should be used only in patients unable to take oral therapy and patients should be switched to oral PREVYMIS as soon as they are able to take oral medications. If possible, intravenous administration should not exceed 4 weeks.
  • In patients with renal impairment, accumulation of hydroxypropyl betadex may occur. In adult patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min and in pediatric patients with a similar degree of renal impairment (based on age-appropriate assessment of renal function) receiving PREVYMIS injection, closely monitor serum creatinine levels.
  • Animal studies have shown the potential for hydroxypropyl betadex to cause ototoxicity. The active ingredient, letermovir, is not known to be associated with ototoxicity.
  • The rate of adverse events occurring in at least 10% of adult HSCT recipients treated with PREVYMIS and at a frequency at least 2% greater than placebo were nausea (27% vs 23%), diarrhea (26% vs 24%), vomiting (19% vs 14%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), cough (14% vs 10%), headache (14% vs 9%), fatigue (13% vs 11%), and abdominal pain (12% vs 9%).
  • Hypersensitivity reaction, with associated moderate dyspnea, occurred in one adult HSCT recipient following the first infusion of IV PREVYMIS after switching from oral PREVYMIS, leading to treatment discontinuation.
  • The most common adverse event occurring in at least 10% of adult kidney transplant recipients treated with PREVYMIS and at a frequency greater than valganciclovir was diarrhea (32% vs 29%).
  • If PREVYMIS is co-administered with cyclosporine, the dosage of PREVYMIS should be decreased to 240 mg once daily.
  • Co-administration of PREVYMIS may alter the plasma concentrations of other drugs and other drugs may alter the plasma concentrations of PREVYMIS. Consult the full Prescribing Information prior to and during treatment for potential drug interactions.
  • Closely monitor serum creatinine levels in patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min using PREVYMIS injection.
  • PREVYMIS is not recommended for patients with severe (Child-Pugh Class C) hepatic impairment.
  • For patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) greater than 10 mL/min (by Cockcroft-Gault equation), no dosage adjustment of PREVYMIS is required based on renal impairment. The safety of PREVYMIS in patients with end-stage renal disease (CLcr less than 10 mL/min), including patients on dialysis, is unknown.

Before prescribing PREVYMIS® (letermovir), please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information and Instructions for Use also are available.

PREVYMIS is contraindicated in patients receiving pimozide or

  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated in patients receiving pimozide or ergot alkaloids.
    • Increased pimozide concentrations may lead to QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.