Drug Interactions Between Common Dermatological Medications and the Oral Anti-Covid-19 Agents Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir and Molnupiravir
December 2022
in “
Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore
”
TLDR Some skin medications can have harmful interactions with the COVID-19 drug nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, but not with molnupiravir.
The document discusses the significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between the oral anti-COVID-19 agents nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) and various common dermatological medications, primarily due to the CYP3A4 inhibition caused by ritonavir in NMV/r. Medications such as dutasteride, used for male androgenetic alopecia, can interact with NMV/r, potentially increasing the risk of side effects. However, other alopecia medications like finasteride and minoxidil are not expected to have DDIs with NMV/r. The document suggests adjusting the dosage or temporary discontinuation of long-term dermatological medications with potential DDIs for safe treatment with NMV/r. Alternatively, molnupiravir, which has no identified DDIs yet, could be considered for COVID-19 treatment in patients on medications with complicated interactions with NMV/r.
