molnupiravir at a glance
Medicine class
Direct-acting antiviral
Licensed use
Treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in eligible higher-risk adults
How it is taken
Hard capsules swallowed whole with fluid
Food
May be taken with or without food
Age group
Adults; use below age 18 has not been established
What is molnupiravir used for?
Licensed use represented by the selected UK product:
Treating mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults who have a positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test and at least one risk factor for developing severe illness.
How does molnupiravir work?
Molnupiravir is converted in the body into an active ribonucleoside analogue. The virus incorporates it into newly made RNA, causing errors that interfere with further viral replication.
molnupiravir preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 mg
How to take molnupiravir
Follow the prescription instructions. Swallow each capsule whole with sufficient fluid; do not open, crush or chew it.
It can be taken with or without food.
Ask the prescriber or pharmacist for advice if swallowing whole capsules is difficult.
molnupiravir side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Dizziness
Get urgent medical advice
- Hypersensitivity or angioedema, which may cause hives, rash, or swelling of the mouth, lips or face
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing as part of an allergic reaction
molnupiravir in pregnancy
Molnupiravir should not be used during pregnancy because human pregnancy data are unavailable and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. Anyone who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for four days afterwards; contact the prescriber promptly if pregnancy occurs around treatment.
molnupiravir while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment or for four days afterwards. It is unknown whether molnupiravir or its metabolites enter human milk or affect a breastfed infant, so discuss feeding arrangements with the prescriber.
molnupiravir interactions
No medicine interactions have been identified from the limited available data, although formal clinical interaction studies have not been performed. Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all prescribed, non-prescription and complementary products.
Common questions about molnupiravir
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is molnupiravir licensed to treat?
It is licensed for mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and at least one risk factor for severe illness.
Does molnupiravir prevent COVID-19?
Its selected UK licence is for treating established COVID-19, not preventing infection.
Is molnupiravir an antibiotic?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.