Molnupiravir

1 medicine

Molnupiravir is an oral antiviral for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 that inhibits viral replication. It is not authorised for pregnant people or anyone under 18 because of possible harm to fetal and bone or cartilage development.

Molnunat

Molnupiravir

200mg

Molnunat is a covid 19 medication containing Molnupiravir, available as 200mg bottles.

from $158.10 / bottle View

Key facts

  • Molnupiravir (brand Lagevrio) is an oral antiviral used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults at high risk of the illness becoming severe. It works by inserting errors into the virus's genetic copying process, not by boosting immunity.
  • Start it within 5 days of symptoms beginning and take it twice daily for 5 days, completing the full course.
  • It must not be used in pregnancy and is not recommended for anyone under 18, because it may affect fetal development and bone or cartilage growth.
  • Seek urgent care for a severe allergic reaction or watery diarrhoea that will not stop.

What molnupiravir treats

Molnupiravir treats mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who have a higher chance of their illness progressing to severe disease, for example due to older age or an underlying health condition. It is intended to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death, not to treat other respiratory infections, and it is not a substitute for vaccination.

How molnupiravir works

Once absorbed, molnupiravir is converted into a building block that the COVID-19 virus mistakes for its own genetic material. As the virus copies itself, this building block introduces errors into the new viral genetic code, so the copies produced are faulty and cannot go on to infect further cells. This directly stops the virus replicating; it does not act on your immune system.

Before you take it

  • Do not take molnupiravir if you are pregnant; animal studies show it can harm fetal bone and cartilage development.
  • It is not authorised for anyone under 18, for the same reason: it may affect growing bone and cartilage.
  • If you can become pregnant, use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 days afterwards. Men with partners who can become pregnant should use contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
  • Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for a short period afterwards; ask your prescriber for timing.

Side effects

Common effects include diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness, and headache, usually mild and short-lived.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Signs of a severe allergic reaction: rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
  • Severe or watery diarrhoea that causes dehydration.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine.
  • Worsening COVID-19 symptoms or breathlessness.

Safety essentials

  • Molnupiravir is not authorised for pregnant people or those under 18 because of the risk to fetal and bone or cartilage development; effective contraception is required during treatment and for a defined period afterwards for both women and men.
  • Complete all 5 days of treatment, started within 5 days of symptoms, even if you feel better sooner.
  • It works by disrupting viral replication directly. It is not an immune booster, a general antiviral for other infections, or a substitute for vaccination.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.