Clinical data for LAGEVRIO™ (molnupiravir)

Study design1

Clinical data supporting this EUA are based on data from 1,433 randomized subjects in the Phase 3 MOVe-OUT trial (NCT04575597). MOVe-OUT is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial studying LAGEVRIO for the treatment of non-hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. Eligible subjects were 18 years of age and older and had one or more pre-defined risk factors for disease progression: over 60 years of age, diabetes, obesity (BMI ≥30), chronic kidney disease, serious heart conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or active cancer. The study included symptomatic subjects not vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and who had laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptom onset within 5 days of randomization. Subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive 800 mg of LAGEVRIO or placebo orally twice daily for 5 days.

Baseline characteristics1

At baseline, in all randomized subjects, the median age was 43 years (range: 18 to 90); 17% of subjects were over 60 years of age and 3% were 75 years of age or older; 49% of subjects were male; 57% were White, 5% Black or African American, 3% Asian, 50% Hispanic or Latino. The majority of subjects were enrolled from sites in Latin America (46%) and Europe (33%); 12% were enrolled in Africa, 6% were enrolled in North America and 3% were enrolled in Asia. Forty-eight percent of subjects received LAGEVRIO or placebo within 3 days of COVID-19 symptom onset.

The most common risk factors were: obesity (74%), over 60 years of age (17%), and diabetes (16%). Among 792 subjects (55% of total randomized population) with available baseline SARS-CoV-2 variant/clade identification results, 58% were infected with Delta (B.1.617.2 and AY lineages), 20% were infected with Mu (B.1.621), 11% were infected with Gamma (P.1), and the remainder were infected with other variants/clades. Overall, baseline demographic and disease characteristics were well balanced between the treatment arms.

Efficacy results1

The table below provides the results of the primary endpoint (the percentage of subjects who were hospitalized or died through Day 29 due to any cause). The efficacy results are based on unvaccinated adults who were 18 years of age and older and had one or more pre-defined risk factors for disease progression: over 60 years of age, diabetes, obesity (BMI ≥30), chronic kidney disease, serious heart conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or active cancer.

Efficacy results in non-hospitalized adults with COVID-191,a

All-cause hospitalization ≥24 hours for acute care or death through day 29: LAGEVRIO (N=709): 48 participants, which was 6.8%; placebo (N=699): 68 participants, which was 9.7%; adjusted risk difference % (95 CI): -3.0% (-5.9%, -0.1%) all-cause mortality through day 29: LAGEVRIO (N=709): 1 participant, which was 0.1%; placebo (N=699): 9 participants, which was 1.3%All-cause hospitalization ≥24 hours for acute care or death through day 29: LAGEVRIO (N=709): 48 participants, which was 6.8%; placebo (N=699): 68 participants, which was 9.7%; adjusted risk difference % (95 CI): -3.0% (-5.9%, -0.1%) all-cause mortality through day 29: LAGEVRIO (N=709): 1 participant, which was 0.1%; placebo (N=699): 9 participants, which was 1.3%

aThe determination of primary efficacy was based on a planned interim analysis of 762 subjects. At the interim analysis, 7.3% of patients who received LAGEVRIO were either hospitalized or died through Day 29 (28/385), compared with 14.1% of placebo-treated patients (53/377). The adjusted risk difference was -6.8% with a 95% CI of (-11.3%, -2.4%) and 2-sided p-value = 0.0024.
Adjusted relative risk reduction of LAGEVRIO compared to placebo for all randomized subjects was 30% (95% CI: 1%, 51%).
Analyses are adjusted by the stratification factor of time of COVID-19 symptom onset (≤3 days vs. >3 [4-5] days).

Adverse reactions from clinical studies1

The following adverse reactions have been observed in the clinical study of LAGEVRIO that supported the EUA. The adverse reaction rates observed in these clinical trials cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Additional adverse events associated with LAGEVRIO may become apparent with more widespread use.

Overall, more than 900 subjects have been exposed to LAGEVRIO 800 mg twice daily in clinical trials. The safety assessment of LAGEVRIO is primarily based on an analysis from subjects followed through Day 29 in the Phase 3 study in non-hospitalized subjects with COVID-19 (MOVe-OUT).

The safety of LAGEVRIO was evaluated based on an analysis of a Phase 3 double-blind trial (MOVe-OUT) in which 1,411 non-hospitalized subjects with COVID-19 were randomized and treated with LAGEVRIO (N=710) or placebo (N=701) for up to 5 days. Adverse events were those reported while subjects were on study intervention or within 14 days of study intervention completion/discontinuation.

Discontinuation of study intervention due to an adverse event occurred in 1% of subjects receiving LAGEVRIO and 3% of subjects receiving placebo. Serious adverse events occurred in 7% of subjects receiving LAGEVRIO and 10% receiving placebo; most serious adverse events were COVID-19 related. Adverse events leading to death occurred in 2 (<1%) subjects receiving LAGEVRIO and 12 (2%) of subjects receiving placebo.

The most common adverse reactions in the LAGEVRIO treatment group in MOVe-OUT are presented in the table below, all of which were Grade 1 (mild) or Grade 2 (moderate).

Adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 1% of subjects receiving LAGEVRIO in MOVe-OUT1,b

Adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 1% of subjects receiving LAGEVRIO in MOVe-OUT; Diarrhea LAGEVRIO (N=710) 2% Placebo (N=701) 2%; Nausea LAGEVRIO (N=710) 1% Placebo (N=701) 1%; Dizziness LAGEVRIO (N=710) 1% Placebo (N=701) 1%Adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 1% of subjects receiving LAGEVRIO in MOVe-OUT; Diarrhea LAGEVRIO (N=710) 2% Placebo (N=701) 2%; Nausea LAGEVRIO (N=710) 1% Placebo (N=701) 1%; Dizziness LAGEVRIO (N=710) 1% Placebo (N=701) 1%

bFrequencies of adverse reactions are based on all adverse events attributed to study intervention by the investigator.

Laboratory abnormalities1

Selected Grade 3 and 4 laboratory abnormalities in chemistry (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and lipase) and hematology (hemoglobin, platelets, and leukocytes) parameters all occurred at a rate of less than or equal to 2% and occurred at a similar rate across arms in MOVe-OUT.

BMI, body mass index; CI, confidence interval; EUA, emergency use authorization; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.

Reference: 1. Fact sheet for healthcare providers: emergency use authorization for LAGEVRIO™ (molnupiravir). Merck & Co., Inc. 2024.

Authorized Use

  • LAGEVRIO™ (molnupiravir) is authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of adults with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19):
    • who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 including hospitalization or death, and
    • for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options approved or authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate
  • LAGEVRIO is not approved for any use, including the treatment of COVID-19, but is authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
  • The emergency use of LAGEVRIO is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1) unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

Limitations of Authorized Use

  • LAGEVRIO is not authorized:
    • for use in patients who are less than 18 years of age
    • for initiation of treatment in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. Benefit of treatment with LAGEVRIO has not been observed in subjects when treatment was initiated after hospitalization due to COVID-19
    • for use for longer than 5 consecutive days
    • for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19
  • LAGEVRIO may only be prescribed for an individual patient by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants that are licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs in the therapeutic class to which LAGEVRIO belongs (ie, anti-infectives).

Selected Safety Information

Contraindications

  • No contraindications have been identified based on the limited available data on the emergency use of LAGEVRIO authorized under this EUA.

Warnings and Precautions

  • There are limited clinical data available for LAGEVRIO. Serious and unexpected adverse events may occur that have not been previously reported with LAGEVRIO use.
  • LAGEVRIO is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, LAGEVRIO may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant individuals. There are no available human data on the use of LAGEVRIO in pregnant individuals to evaluate the risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
  • LAGEVRIO is authorized to be prescribed to a pregnant individual only after the healthcare provider has determined that the benefits would outweigh the risks for that individual patient. If the decision is made to use LAGEVRIO during pregnancy, the prescribing healthcare provider must document that the known and potential benefits and the potential risks of using LAGEVRIO during pregnancy were communicated to the pregnant individual.
  • There is a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to LAGEVRIO during pregnancy. The prescribing healthcare provider must document that a pregnant individual was made aware of the pregnancy registry at https://covid-pr.pregistry.com or 1-800-616-3791. Pregnant individuals exposed to LAGEVRIO or their healthcare providers can also report the exposure by contacting Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA at 1-877-888-4231.
  • Advise individuals of childbearing potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use an effective method of contraception correctly and consistently during treatment with LAGEVRIO and for 4 days after the final dose.
  • Prior to initiating treatment with LAGEVRIO, assess whether an individual of childbearing potential is pregnant or not, if clinically indicated.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with LAGEVRIO. If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue LAGEVRIO and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive care.
  • LAGEVRIO is not authorized for use in patients less than 18 years of age because it may affect bone and cartilage growth. The safety and efficacy of LAGEVRIO have not been established in pediatric patients.

Adverse Reactions

  • The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of subjects in the LAGEVRIO treatment group in the Phase 3 double-blind MOVe-OUT study were diarrhea (2% versus placebo at 2%), nausea (1% versus placebo at 1%), and dizziness (1% versus placebo at 1%) all of which were Grade 1 (mild) or Grade 2 (moderate).

     

    Serious adverse events occurred in 7% of subjects receiving LAGEVRIO and 10% receiving placebo; most serious adverse events were COVID-19 related. Adverse events leading to death occurred in 2 (<1%) of the subjects receiving LAGEVRIO and 12 (2%) of subjects receiving placebo.

Drug interactions

  • No drug interactions have been identified based on the limited available data on the emergency use of LAGEVRIO. No clinical drug-drug interaction trials of LAGEVRIO with concomitant medications, including other treatments for mild-to-moderate COVID-19, have been conducted.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

  • There are no data on the presence of molnupiravir or its metabolites in human milk. It is unknown whether molnupiravir has an effect on the breastfed infant or effects on milk production. Based on the potential for adverse reactions in the infant from LAGEVRIO, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with LAGEVRIO and for 4 days after the final dose. A lactating individual may consider interrupting breastfeeding and may consider pumping and discarding breast milk during treatment and for 4 days after the last dose of LAGEVRIO.

Males of Reproductive Potential

  • While the risk is regarded as low, there is a theoretical risk for LAGEVRIO to affect offspring of treated males based on its mechanism of action. Advise sexually active individuals with partners of childbearing potential to use a reliable method of contraception correctly and consistently during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of LAGEVRIO. The risk beyond three months after the last dose of LAGEVRIO is unknown.

Required Reporting for Serious Adverse Events and Medication Errors

  • The prescribing healthcare provider and/or the provider’s designee is/are responsible for mandatory reporting of all serious adverse events and medication errors potentially related to LAGEVRIO within 7 calendar days from the healthcare provider’s awareness of the event.

     

    Submit adverse event and medication error reports, using FDA Form 3500, to FDA MedWatch using one of the following methods:

In addition, please provide a copy of all FDA MedWatch forms to:
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA by:
Fax: 215-616-5677
Email: dpoc.usa@merck.com

 

Before prescribing LAGEVRIO, please read the accompanying Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers, including Mandatory Requirements for Administration of LAGEVRIO Under Emergency Use Authorization. The FDA Letter of Authorization and the Fact Sheet for Patients and Caregivers also are available.

Authorized Use

  • LAGEVRIO™ (molnupiravir) is authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of adults with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19):
    • who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 including hospitalization or death, and
    • for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options approved or authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate
  • LAGEVRIO is not approved for any use, including the treatment of COVID-19, but is authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
  • The emergency use of LAGEVRIO is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1) unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

Limitations of Authorized Use

  • LAGEVRIO is not authorized:
    • for use in patients who are less than 18 years of age
    • for initiation of treatment in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. Benefit of treatment with LAGEVRIO has not been observed in subjects when treatment was initiated after hospitalization due to COVID-19
    • for use for longer than 5 consecutive days
    • for pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19
  • LAGEVRIO may only be prescribed for an individual patient by physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants that are licensed or authorized under state law to prescribe drugs in the therapeutic class to which LAGEVRIO belongs (ie, anti-infectives).
  • LAGEVRIO™ (molnupiravir) is authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of adults…
  • LAGEVRIO™ (molnupiravir) is authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of adults with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19):
    • who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19 including hospitalization or death, and
    • for whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options approved or authorized by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate

Selected Safety Information for LAGEVRIO (molnupiravir)

Contraindications

  • No contraindications have been identified based on the limited available data on the emergency use of LAGEVRIO authorized under this EUA.

Warnings and Precautions

  • There are limited clinical data available for LAGEVRIO. Serious and unexpected adverse events may occur that have not been previously reported with LAGEVRIO use.
  • LAGEVRIO is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, LAGEVRIO may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant individuals. There are no available human data on the use of LAGEVRIO in pregnant individuals to evaluate the risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
  • LAGEVRIO is authorized to be prescribed to a pregnant individual only after the healthcare provider has determined that the benefits would outweigh the risks for that individual patient. If the decision is made to use LAGEVRIO during pregnancy, the prescribing healthcare provider must document that the known and potential benefits and the potential risks of using LAGEVRIO during pregnancy were communicated to the pregnant individual.
  • There is a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in individuals exposed to LAGEVRIO during pregnancy. The prescribing healthcare provider must document that a pregnant individual was made aware of the pregnancy registry at https://covid-pr.pregistry.com or 1-800-616-3791. Pregnant individuals exposed to LAGEVRIO or their healthcare providers can also report the exposure by contacting Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA at 1-877-888-4231.
  • Advise individuals of childbearing potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use an effective method of contraception correctly and consistently during treatment with LAGEVRIO and for 4 days after the final dose.
  • Prior to initiating treatment with LAGEVRIO, assess whether an individual of childbearing potential is pregnant or not, if clinically indicated.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with LAGEVRIO. If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue LAGEVRIO and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive care.
  • LAGEVRIO is not authorized for use in patients less than 18 years of age because it may affect bone and cartilage growth. The safety and efficacy of LAGEVRIO have not been established in pediatric patients.

Adverse Reactions

  • The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of subjects in the LAGEVRIO treatment group in the Phase 3 double-blind MOVe-OUT study were diarrhea (2% versus placebo at 2%), nausea (1% versus placebo at 1%), and dizziness (1% versus placebo at 1%) all of which were Grade 1 (mild) or Grade 2 (moderate).

     

    Serious adverse events occurred in 7% of subjects receiving LAGEVRIO and 10% receiving placebo; most serious adverse events were COVID-19 related. Adverse events leading to death occurred in 2 (<1%) of the subjects receiving LAGEVRIO and 12 (2%) of subjects receiving placebo.

Drug interactions

  • No drug interactions have been identified based on the limited available data on the emergency use of LAGEVRIO. No clinical drug-drug interaction trials of LAGEVRIO with concomitant medications, including other treatments for mild-to-moderate COVID-19, have been conducted.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

  • There are no data on the presence of molnupiravir or its metabolites in human milk. It is unknown whether molnupiravir has an effect on the breastfed infant or effects on milk production. Based on the potential for adverse reactions in the infant from LAGEVRIO, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with LAGEVRIO and for 4 days after the final dose. A lactating individual may consider interrupting breastfeeding and may consider pumping and discarding breast milk during treatment and for 4 days after the last dose of LAGEVRIO.

Males of Reproductive Potential

  • While the risk is regarded as low, there is a theoretical risk for LAGEVRIO to affect offspring of treated males based on its mechanism of action. Advise sexually active individuals with partners of childbearing potential to use a reliable method of contraception correctly and consistently during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose of LAGEVRIO. The risk beyond three months after the last dose of LAGEVRIO is unknown.

Required Reporting for Serious Adverse Events and Medication Errors

  • The prescribing healthcare provider and/or the provider’s designee is/are responsible for mandatory reporting of all serious adverse events and medication errors potentially related to LAGEVRIO within 7 calendar days from the healthcare provider’s awareness of the event.

     

    Submit adverse event and medication error reports, using FDA Form 3500, to FDA MedWatch using one of the following methods:

In addition, please provide a copy of all FDA MedWatch forms to:
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA by:
Fax: 215-616-5677
Email: dpoc.usa@merck.com

 

Before prescribing LAGEVRIO, please read the accompanying Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers, including Mandatory Requirements for Administration of LAGEVRIO Under Emergency Use Authorization. The FDA Letter of Authorization and the Fact Sheet for Patients and Caregivers also are available.

Contraindications

  • No contraindications have been identified based on…

Contraindications

  • No contraindications have been identified based on the limited available data on the emergency use of LAGEVRIO authorized under this EUA.

Warnings and Precautions

  • There are limited clinical data available for LAGEVRIO. Serious and unexpected adverse events may occur that have not been previously reported with LAGEVRIO use.