Letermovir is used to prevent infection and disease caused by a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) in individuals who have recently had a bone marrow transplant or kidney transplant.
Letermovir injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition or response to the medication.
Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Letermovir.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use Letermovir if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Do not use Letermovir with medicines used to treat Tourette's syndrome (a disorder characterised by sudden, repetitive, and uncontrollable body movements or vocal sounds), migraine (severe throbbing pain or pulsating sensation usually affecting one side of the head that is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound), or herbal medicine. If you are using Letermovir with ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders), do not take certain blood-thinning medicines or cholesterol-lowering medicines. Please see the section "Can I use this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- kidney disease
- severe liver disease
- have both moderate liver disease and moderate or severe kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to Letermovir regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of infection or changes in urination may also be needed.
Letermovir may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, changes in taste, loss of appetite, muscle spasms, and swelling of ankles, hands, or feet.
If you develop rashes, breathlessness, swollen mouth or eyes, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor immediately. These could be signs of an allergic reaction.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not use Letermovir with the following medicines:
- pimozide (medicine used to treat Tourette's syndrome [a disorder characterised by sudden, repetitive, and uncontrollable body movements or vocal sounds])
- medicines for migraine e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
If you are using Letermovir with ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders), do not take the following medicines:
- certain cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin
- dabigatran (blood-thinning medicine)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- strong painkillers e.g. fentanyl, alfentanil
- other medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. sirolimus, tacrolimus
- medicines for diabetes e.g. glibenclamide, repaglinide, tolbutamide
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
- medicines that reduce stomach acid production e.g. esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. efavirenz, atazanavir, lopinavir, ritonavir
- medicines for TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin
- certain antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, clarithromycin
- medicines that can cause drowsiness or affect your concentration e.g. midazolam, diazepam
- quinidine (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
- warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
- voriconazole (medicine to treat fungal infections)
- simeprevir (medicine for hepatitis C infection)
- modafinil (medicine to treat sleep disorder)
- gemfibrozil (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
- fexofenadine (medicine for cold or allergy)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Letermovir.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light. Do not shake.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
