5 Molnupiravir Side Effects You Should Know About
Key takeaways:
Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) is an oral medication that’s FDA authorized to treat mild to moderate COVID-19. It can be prescribed for adults that have a high risk of developing severe symptoms.
Molnupiravir’s side effects are generally mild and don’t seem to happen very often. Diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness were most frequently reported in clinical trials.
Molnupiravir may cause birth defects in unborn babies. Effective birth control should be used by both men and women after finishing molnupiravir.
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Table of contents
In late 2021, the FDA authorized two oral treatments for mild to moderate COVID-19. One of them was molnupiravir (Lagevrio). The 5-day course of antivirals can be prescribed for adults with a high risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
If you’ve been prescribed molnupiravir, it’s likely your healthcare provider discussed what side effects to expect when taking it. But if you’re looking for more details on them, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find five notable molnupiravir side effects, plus ways you can manage or prevent them.
1. Diarrhea
There are many medications that can cause diarrhea. Molnupiravir is one of them. Thankfully, it’s not very common with this COVID-19 pill. In clinical trials, about 2% of people taking molnupiravir reported mild or moderate diarrhea. Keep in mind that diarrhea is a typical COVID-19 symptom. About the same number of people taking a placebo (a pill with no medication in it) also reported having loose stools.
You should be able to manage this molnupiravir side effect at home. Remember to stay hydrated if you experience diarrhea. Eating plain or bland foods may be helpful, as well. You can also ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about over-the-counter (OTC) diarrhea medications. These can help lessen this side effect until it resolves (typically after finishing the medication).
2. Nausea
Feeling like you have to throw up is no fun. And a lot of medications can cause nausea as a side effect. While uncommon, molnupiravir can also cause this uncomfortable feeling. Taking your doses with food may help lessen or prevent nausea. You can also ask your healthcare provider if OTC nausea medications are right for you.
3. Dizziness
Dizziness can feel different to different people. Lightheadedness, vertigo, and feeling like you’re going to faint are all ways of describing it. Dizziness is listed as a molnupiravir side effect. But it’s very uncommon, with only 1% of people in clinical trials reporting it.
If you experience dizziness while taking molnupiravir, try to rest and drink some water. Be careful changing positions to help prevent falling. This side effect shouldn’t be severe or cause you to pass out. If you find the dizziness you’re feeling is excessive, contact your healthcare provider.
4. Blood test changes
Certain blood test changes were noticed during molnupiravir’s clinical trials. This included:
Liver function tests
Creatinine (one level used to measure kidney function)
Lipase (a digestive protein)
Tests the measure the number of blood cells
None of these blood test changes were linked to any complications. And they should return to normal after finishing molnupiravir.
5. Bone and cartilage damage in kids
In animal studies, molnupiravir was linked to problems with bone and cartilage development in young rats. Because of this, molnupiravir shouldn’t be prescribed for children under 18 years old. There’s concern that this medication could permanently affect a child’s growth. There are other COVID-19 treatment options that are safer for children.
You also shouldn’t take molnupiravir while nursing, as the medication may pass into breast milk. It’s recommended to avoid nursing while taking the medication and for 4 days after your last dose. Pumping and throwing away breast milk (“pump and dump”) can help keep your milk supply at its typical levels.
6. Birth defects
Animal studies suggest that molnupiravir can cause birth defects if pregnant women take it. This may include low birth weight, organ damage, and stunted growth.
The concern of birth defects is so great that both men and women should use birth control while taking molnupiravir, and for a certain amount of time after the last dose. And in some cases, a pregnancy test may be requested before starting treatment.
Women who can get pregnant should use a reliable form of birth control during treatment and for 4 days after their last dose. Men who have partners that can get pregnant should use condoms during treatment and for at least 3 months after finishing treatment.
When should I contact my healthcare provider about molnupiravir side effects?
Most molnupiravir side effects are mild and should resolve after finishing it. If needed, OTC medications may help with problems like nausea and diarrhea. But if you experience any excessive or severe side effects, let your healthcare provider know.
If you or your partner become pregnant shortly after finishing molnupiravir, contact a healthcare provider. They may want to monitor the pregnancy more closely.
The bottom line
Molnupiravir is an oral COVID-19 treatment authorized for certain adults with a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Most of molnupiravir’s side effects are mild and uncommon. However, this medication may cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Make sure to discuss molnupiravir’s risks and benefits with your healthcare provider before starting this COVID-19 pill.
Why trust our experts?
References
Bernal, A. J., et al. (2021). Molnupiravir for oral treatment of Covid-19 in nonhospitalized patients. New England Journal of Medicine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). People with certain medical conditions.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Fact sheet for healthcare providers: Emergency use authorization for Lagevrio (molnupiravir) capsules.
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