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