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Livtencity

maribavir

Used for CMV

Livtencity (maribavir) is a newer antiviral medication that treats cytomegalovirus (CMV) in people who've received a transplant. It's not a first-choice medication, but only used if the CMV infection didn't respond to traditional treatment, such as ganciclovir, valganciclovir, and cidofovir.

Reviewed by:

Allison Gourley, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on September 26, 2022

Basics Side effects Pros & cons Pharmacist tips FAQs Warnings Dosage Cost Images Prices Medicare

What is Livtencity (maribavir)?

What is Livtencity (maribavir) used for?

Post-transplant CMV infection that didn't respond well to other treatments (people 12 years and older who weigh at least 77 lbs)

How Livtencity (maribavir) works

Livtencity (maribavir) is an antiviral drug against CMV. It works by blocking the activity of a special viral enzyme (protein) called pUL97. This process helps stop the growth and survival of the CMV virus.

Are you looking for information on maraviroc (Selzentry) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsLivtencity

Drug ClassAntiviral

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityPrescription only

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Avg retail price

$27430.32(save 6.85%)

GoodRx discount

$25551.55

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What are the side effects of Livtencity (maribavir)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Changes in taste (46%)
Nausea (21%)
Diarrhea (19%)
Vomiting (14%)
Tiredness (12%)

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

Change in taste
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting

Pros and cons of Livtencity (maribavir)

Pros

Good option if CMV infection doesn't respond to typical therapies

Taken by mouth

Can be used in people 12 years and older (who weight at least 35 kg)

Likely safe to use in people with kidney or liver problems

Cons

Interacts with a lot of medications

Still a chance that the virus could come back after treatment and be harder to treat

Unknown if safe for children 11 years and younger

Brand only, so might be expensive

Pharmacist tips for Livtencity (maribavir)

Since Livtencity (maribavir) is available as 200 mg tablets, you'll need to take 2 tablets (400 mg) twice a day. Try to take your dose at the same times every day so the amount of medication in your body stays consistent.

If you start any new medication or supplement while taking Livtencity (maribavir), tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist first so that they can make sure that Livtencity (maribavir) is safe to take.

Livtencity (maribavir) interacts with many medications, including transplant medications. For this reason, your transplant provider might have you get lab draws more often. This is so they can monitor your transplant medication levels while you're taking Livtencity (maribavir).

It's common for Livtencity (maribavir) to cause changes in taste. For many people, this goes away while continuing treatment. But it can take up to 2 months to resolve. For most people, this side effect goes away completely after stopping the medication.

There isn't enough information to know if Livtencity (maribavir) is safe to take while pregnant. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, speak to your provider about the risks and benefits of this medication.

If you or your child experiences any weight changes, let the provider know. It isn't known if Livtencity (maribavir) is safe or works well in people less than 77 lbs.

Frequently asked questions about Livtencity (maribavir)

Why is it important to take the full course of Livtencity (maribavir)?

Livtencity (maribavir) treats CMV. This is a common virus that can spread when you come into contact with fluids, like saliva or urine, from an infected person. People with a healthy immune system can usually fight off CMV. Typically, the virus just stays in their body without causing many problems. However, people with a weakened immune system, such as those who've received an organ transplant and need to take transplant medications to prevent rejection, can get severely sick from a CMV infection. Livtencity (maribavir) helps treat CMV that doesn't respond to typical treatment. Not taking the full course your provider has prescribed to you can make your CMV infection much harder to treat.

Do I still need to take my CMV prevention medication, valganciclovir (Valcyte), if I'm taking Livtencity (maribavir)?

No. Taking Livtencity (maribavir) with antiviral medications, like valganciclovir (Valcyte) or ganciclovir (Cytovene IV), can cancel out antiviral activity altogether. This means these medications won't work any longer for CMV. For this reason, your provider will have you stop taking valganciclovir (Valcyte) or ganciclovir (Cytovene IV) when you start Livtencity (maribavir).

What's the difference between Livtencity (maribavir) and Prevymis (letermovir)?

Both Livtencity (maribavir) and Prevymis (letermovir) are antiviral medications that target the CMV virus, but they are very different. Letermovir is meant to prevent CMV, while Livtencity (maribavir) treats CMV. Furthermore, Prevymis (letermovir) is only approved for adults who've received a stem cell transplant, while Livtencity (maribavir) can also be used in people who've received a solid organ transplant (e.g., kidney, pancreas, liver). Your transplant provider will make sure that you're taking the appropriate antiviral medication.

How long do I need to take Livtencity (maribavir)?

Follow your provider's instructions for how long to take Livtencity (maribavir). Typically, you'll need to take this medication twice daily. Sometimes, people experience resistance, which is when the CMV virus changes in a way that stops antiviral medications from working well against it. This can make the virus harder to treat. Resistance can happen during treatment with Livtencity (maribavir) or even up to 2 months after stopping it. For this reason, take Livtencity (maribavir) exactly as prescribed and make sure to keep all of your lab appointments so your provider can monitor your CMV virus levels.

Should I take Livtencity (maribavir) with food?

You can take Livtencity (maribavir) with or without food. A common side effect of this medication is nausea, so it might be helpful to have something in your stomach before taking it. However, this isn't necessary for the medication to work well.

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What are the risks and warnings for Livtencity (maribavir)?

Livtencity (maribavir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Livtencity (maribavir) not working well

There's a possibility that your CMV infection is resistant (won't respond well) to Livtencity (maribavir). This means that the infection won't go away even after you take Livtencity (maribavir). Sometimes, the infection goes away, but comes back 1 to 2 months later. Please monitor yourself for symptoms of CMV infection while you're taking Livtencity (maribavir) and for 2 months after treatment. Let your provider know if you experience fever, sore throat, or tiredness.

Drug interactions

There are many medications that interact with Livtencity (maribavir). Some medications, including Livtencity (maribavir), might need to have the dosages adjusted or you might need to stop taking them altogether. Taking a medication that interacts with Livtencity (maribavir) can cause it to be less effective and cause a CMV infection that's harder to treat. Or, some interactions can give you severe side effects. Make sure to tell your provider about all of the medications you take before starting Livtencity (maribavir). This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Don't start any new medications while taking Livtencity (maribavir) without talking to your provider or pharmacist first.