← Back to Drug List

MOLNUPIRAVIR CAP,ORAL

Clinical Criteria Summary

Document 397

Indication & Patient Population

  • Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for patients 18 years and older
  • Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 at high risk for progression
  • Use only if other alternatives are not accessible or clinically appropriate

Dosing & Administration

  • 800 mg (4 capsules) twice daily for 5 days
  • Can be administered with or without food

Contraindications & Warnings

  • No contraindications listed
  • Possible embryo-fetal toxicity
  • Possible bone/cartilage toxicity in patients <18 years old

Adverse Reactions & Efficacy

  • Adverse reactions: diarrhea, nausea, dizziness
  • MOVe-OUT trial data: Death or hospitalization by day 29 was 6.8% (MOV) vs. 9.7% (placebo)

Special Populations & Precautions

  • Not recommended in pregnancy and lactation due to potential embryo-fetal toxicity based on animal data
  • If used, requires extensive discussion/documentation
  • Requires reliable, consistent contraception during therapy and for 4 days after last dose in females of childbearing potential
  • Requires reliable, consistent contraception for 3 months after last dose in males of reproductive potential

Renal/Hepatic Considerations

  • No dose adjustment required for renal or hepatic dysfunction

Document 390

Indication & Patient Population

  • Treatment of mild to moderate laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older
  • Positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing
  • At high risk for progressing to severe disease
  • Within 5 days of symptom onset
  • Alternative FDA-authorized COVID-19 treatment options are not accessible or clinically appropriate (remdesivir is not considered an adequate alternative under the EUA due to IV infusion requirements, though NIH guidelines list it as a priority option)

High-Risk Criteria for Disease Progression

  • Age ≥ 65 years
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Dementia or other neurological conditions
  • Disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome, spinal cord injuries)
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Immunosuppressive disease or treatment
  • Body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 in adults and physical inactivity
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
  • Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
  • Current or former smoking
  • Mental health conditions (e.g., depression, schizophrenia, substance use disorders)
  • Tuberculosis
  • Other medical conditions or factors (e.g., race or ethnicity) may also place patients at high risk

Exclusions & Contraindications

  • Patients under 18 years of age
  • Hospitalized due to COVID-19 (benefit not observed when initiated after hospitalization; patients admitted for other indications solely for infection control may be considered if all other requirements are met)
  • Use for longer than 5 consecutive days
  • Pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19
  • Not approved for any use, including treatment of COVID-19 (EUA only)

Dosing & Administration

  • Recommended dose: 800 mg (four 200 mg capsules) orally every 12 hours for 5 days
  • Can be taken with or without food
  • Missed dose within 10 hours of scheduled time: take as soon as possible and resume normal dosing; missed >10 hours: skip and restart normal regimen with next dose
  • Should be administered as soon as possible and within 5 days of symptom onset
  • No dose adjustment required for renal impairment, hepatic impairment, or geriatric patients
  • Patients requiring hospitalization after starting treatment may complete the full 5-day course at provider discretion

Prescriber Requirements & Counseling

  • Review "Fact Sheet for Patients and Caregivers" with patient/caregiver prior to dispensing; document provision of electronic or hard copy
  • Inform patient/caregiver that MOV is an unapproved drug authorized under EUA
  • Inform that no adequate approved products exist for mild-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk patients
  • Inform that other currently authorized products exist for the same use
  • Discuss benefits and risks as outlined in the fact sheet
  • Assess pregnancy status in females of childbearing potential (clinically indicated)
  • Report all medication errors and serious adverse events potentially related to MOV within 7 calendar days via VA ADERS per local policy

Pregnancy, Reproductive Health & Lactation

  • Embryofetal toxicity noted in animal studies; not recommended during pregnancy unless benefits outweigh risks
  • Females of childbearing potential: use reliable contraception correctly and consistently during treatment and for 4 days after the last dose
  • Males of reproductive potential sexually active with females of childbearing potential: use reliable contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose
  • Pregnancy status does not need confirmation if surgically sterilized, using an IUD/implant, or pregnancy is impossible
  • If prescribed during pregnancy: document discussion of benefits/risks, inform about Merck pregnancy surveillance program, obtain consent to share patient information with Merck (provide name and contact)
  • Breastfeeding: not recommended during treatment and for 4 days after the final dose due to potential for adverse reactions in the infant

Safety Monitoring & Reporting

  • Monitor for hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis; immediately discontinue MOV and initiate supportive care if clinically significant reaction occurs
  • Monitor for bone and cartilage toxicity (not indicated <18 years)
  • Document and report all COVID-19 related adverse drug events to VA ADERS as a MedWatch report
  • VHA Center for Medication Safety conducts prospective pharmacovigilance; providers should monitor closely for unusual clinical or laboratory events.

Document 391

Indication & Patient Population

  • Laboratory confirmed mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults
  • Not authorized for patients hospitalized due to COVID-19

Timing & Disease Severity

  • Within 5 days of symptom onset

Risk Factors & Alternative Therapies

  • At least one high-risk criteria for progression to severe disease as defined by the CDC
  • Alternative treatments authorized for mild-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk patients are not accessible or clinically appropriate

Reproductive Health & Pregnancy Requirements

  • Females of childbearing potential and males sexually active with females of childbearing potential must agree to use a reliable method of contraception correctly and consistently during treatment and for 4 days (females) or 3 months (males) after the last dose
  • Pregnancy status must be determined to be negative for females of childbearing potential (unless surgically sterilized, has an intrauterine device/contraceptive implant, or is unable to get pregnant)
  • For pregnant patients: Provider must communicate known and potential risks of MOV during pregnancy and document; inform patient of the Merck pregnancy surveillance program; provide patient’s name to Merck if patient agrees to participate and allows disclosure

Dosing & Administration

  • 800mg orally q12h for 5 days (with or without food)
  • No dose adjustments recommended for renal or hepatic impairment or in geriatric patients

Monitoring, Reporting & Documentation

  • Provider must review the “Fact Sheet for Patients and Caregivers” with the patient/caregiver prior to administration and provide an electronic or hard copy
  • Report all medication errors and serious adverse drug events possibly related to MOV through the VA ADERS program
  • In-line patient request form required prior to initiation capturing: patient name, last 4 of SSN, DOB, date of positive test, confirmation of mild/moderate diagnosis, timing within 5 days, high-risk status per CDC, inaccessibility/appropriateness of alternatives, fact sheet provision, and pregnancy/contraception status
  • Post-dispensing tracking required: date dispensed, order number, number/dose dispensed, lot numbers, adverse events documentation, and certification of accuracy/completeness

Source Documents