Mednet Logo

Are there instances when you use letermovir without the addition of acyclovir when managing a kidney transplant recipient for CMV prophylaxis?

3 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Nephrology · UCSF
Answered on

I am assuming this question is about initial viral prophylaxis after transplant and exposure to induction immunosuppression. We have not used often letermovir as first line CMV prophylaxis outside of a research study, or during valcyte shortages. Cases where one might consider Letermovir as prophyla...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer

Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Nephrology · University of Alabama Birmingham
Answered on

Letermovir is approved as primary CMV prophylaxis in transplant recipients. However, our first line is still valganciclovir. Adding aciclovir if using letermovir is prudent to protect against VZV/HSV. Cost may be an issue as this drug is much more expensive than valgancilocvir.

I have personally onl...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer

Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Nephrology · Oregon Health and Science University Hospital
Answered on

We have switched to letermovir+acyclovir as first line prophylaxis for high-risk CMV. This was done given the significantly better toxicity profile of letermovir as compared to valganciclovir, in particular marrow toxicity, and clinical non-inferiority. For patients in whom insurance coverage will n...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer