Livtencity Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Livtencity Tablet contains maribavir, an antiviral medicine used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in adults and children 12 years and older (weighing at least 35 kg) who have had a transplant, when the infection has not responded to other CMV medicines. It works by blocking an enzyme the CMV virus needs to multiply. Livtencity is taken by mouth twice a day, and the typical adult dose is 400 mg twice daily.

What is Livtencity Tablet

Livtencity is a prescription antiviral medicine. Its generic name is maribavir, and it belongs to the antiviral drug class known as CMV pUL97 kinase inhibitors. It is used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in adults and children 12 years and older (weighing at least 35 kg) who have had a transplant, when the infection has not responded to other CMV medicines.

Livtencity Tablet uses

• Treatment of post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/disease that has not responded to treatment (with or without gene changes that cause resistance) with ganciclovir, valganciclovir, cidofovir or foscarnet, in adults and children 12 years and older weighing at least 35 kg (77 pounds)

Benefits of Livtencity Tablet

• Treats resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after transplantation
• Helps control CMV when previous antiviral treatments have not worked
• Blocks CMV virus replication
• Helps manage CMV infection in transplant patients
• Provides an oral treatment option for resistant CMV infection

How Livtencity Tablet works

Livtencity works by blocking an enzyme the CMV virus needs (called pUL97 kinase) to multiply, which stops the virus from making more copies of itself.

Livtencity Tablet dosage

Take the tablets two times a day, with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole if possible. If you cannot swallow tablets whole, you can break apart (disperse) them in drinking water or crush them and mix with drinking water, then drink the mixture right away. Do not mix the tablets with any liquid other than drinking water. The mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored at room temperature for up to 8 hours before use. If you have a nasogastric or orogastric feeding tube (French size 10 or larger), the dispersed tablets can be given through the tube.

Take the medicine regularly at the same times each day as instructed by your healthcare provider. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, even if you feel better, without talking to your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your normal schedule — do not take a double dose.

The recommended dosing for children 12 years and older weighing at least 35 kg is the same as for adults. No dose adjustment is needed for people over 65 years of age.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Livtencity Tablet

Common

• Changes in taste
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Stomach (upper abdominal) pain
• Cramps or muscle weakness
• Low levels of potassium or magnesium (seen in blood tests)
• Fever or high temperature
• Low levels of red blood cells (anaemia), which may cause tiredness or paleness

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction: breathing problems or wheezing, racing heart, swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing or throat tightness, skin rash or hives, dizziness or fainting
• Low levels of white blood cells: may cause high fever, severe chills, sore throat, or mouth ulcers
• Swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
• High blood pressure
• Kidney problems: urinating more or less than usual, swollen feet, feeling tired or weak, muscle cramps, back pain, drowsiness
• Virologic failure or relapse of CMV infection during or after treatment

Warnings and precautions

• Taking Livtencity together with ganciclovir or valganciclovir is not recommended because Livtencity can block their antiviral effect.
• The CMV infection can fail to respond to treatment or come back after stopping Livtencity, and some resistant virus may also resist ganciclovir and valganciclovir. Your doctor should monitor CMV levels during and after treatment.
• Livtencity can interact with many other medicines, which may make Livtencity less effective or increase side effects of the other drugs.
• Livtencity can raise the levels of certain anti-rejection medicines (tacrolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus, and everolimus) in the blood, which can lead to serious side effects if levels get too high. Blood levels of these medicines need to be checked often.
• It is not known if Livtencity is safe during pregnancy or if it could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• It is not known if Livtencity passes into breast milk or affects a breastfeeding baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby during treatment.
• No dose change is needed for people with mild, moderate, or severe kidney problems. Livtencity has not been studied in people with end-stage kidney disease, including those on dialysis.
• No dose change is needed for people with mild or moderate liver problems. Livtencity has not been studied in people with severe liver impairment.
• There are no known interactions between Livtencity and alcohol, but heavy drinking can slow the immune system and make it harder for the body to fight infection.
• Livtencity is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), with brief exposure to 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) permitted, such as during transport
• Keep in a cool, dry place
• Keep Livtencity and all medicines out of the reach of children
• Take unused or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or wheezing, a racing heart, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing, throat tightness, itching, skin rash, hives, dizziness or fainting.
• Call your doctor right away or go to the emergency department if you notice signs of very low white blood cells (high fever, severe chills, sore throat, or mouth ulcers), swelling of your hands, ankles or feet, high blood pressure, or signs of kidney problems (urinating more or less than usual, swollen feet, feeling tired or weak, muscle cramps, back pain, drowsiness).
• If you take too much Livtencity, contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Alternatives

• Letermovir
• Valganciclovir
• Ganciclovir