What is Letermovir used for?
Descriptions. Letermovir is used alone or together with another medicine (eg, cyclosporine) to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adults who have received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
When do you take Letermovir?
Letermovir (LMV) is licensed for prophylaxis of CMV infection in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant adult CMV-seropositive patients. Due to its favorable safety profile, LMV brings potential for use in other clinical situations, outside the approved indication.
What is the most appropriate treatment for CMV retinitis?
Induction therapy for CMV retinitis is usually with one of four available drugs, ie, ganciclovir, foscavir, cidofovir (all intravenous), oral valganciclovir, or surgical placement of the intravitreal ganciclovir implant.
When should I start art with CMV retinitis?
Domestic and international guidelines recommend initiating ART within 2 weeks of starting anti-CMV therapy in AIDS/CMVR patients [9, 10].
How much does Letermovir cost?
Table 5CADTH Common Drug Review Cost Comparison Table for Antivirals Against Cytomegalovirus
| Drug/Comparator | Strength | Price ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Letermovir (Prevymis) | 240 mg per vial | $251.2800a |
| 480 mg per vial | $493.7800a | |
| Other CMV prophylaxis treatments | ||
| Ganciclovir (Cytovene)c | 500 mg per vial | $43.9340 |
What is another name for Letermovir?
Letermovir (INN; trade name Prevymis) is an antiviral drug for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.
What medication is used to treat CMV?
The drug of choice for treatment of CMV disease is intravenous ganciclovir, although valganciclovir may be used for nonsevere CMV treatment in selected cases. Ganciclovir is a nucleoside analogue that inhibits DNA synthesis in the same manner as acyclovir.
Does Letermovir cover HSV?
If letermovir prophylaxis is chosen as the method for prevention, we emphasize the need to provide antiviral drugs for HSV prophylaxis (as letermovir has no activity against HSV, varicella zoster and other herpesviruses).
Can CMV retinitis be cured?
Treatment and Prognosis. Up to 95% of people with CMV retinitis do well with treatment. Antiviral medications include cidofovir (Vistide), foscarnet (Foscavir), and valganciclovir (Valcyte).
Is CMV retinitis reversible?
What Is Cytomegalovirus Retinitis (CMV Retinitis)? Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Retinitis is a virus that may infect the retina and potentially cause irreversible vision loss due to retinal detachment or destruction.
Does Medicare cover Prevymis?
Yes. 100% of Medicare prescription drug plans cover this drug.
Where can I get Prevymis?
Merck does, however, offer a Prevymis patient assistance program, the Merck Patient Assistance Program, which can provide Prevymis at little or no cost. Contact the Merck Access Program for Prevymis at 855-404-5278 to enroll in this patient assistance program.
Who makes Letermovir?
Merck Receives FDA Approval of PREVYMIS™ (letermovir) for Prevention of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection and Disease in Adult Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Patients.
How long is CMV recovery?
Most people recover in 4 to 6 weeks without medicine. Rest is needed, sometimes for a month or longer to regain full activity levels. Painkillers and warm salt-water gargles can help relieve symptoms.
Can CMV make you blind?
CMV retinitis may also lead to retinal detachment, in which the retina detaches from the back of the eye, causing blindness.
How much does Prevymis cost?
The lowest GoodRx price for the most common version of Prevymis is around $6,538.78, 10% off the average retail price of $7,308.43.
Does CMV ever go away?
There’s no cure for CMV. The virus stays inactive in your body and can cause more problems later. This reactivation is most common in people who’ve had stem cell and organ transplants.