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Tecovirimat

Sounds like 'tek-oh-vir-ih-mat'

Key points about tecovirimat

Tecovirimat is used to treat mpox.
It's for people with severe disease or those at high risk of developing severe disease, such as people with weakened immune systems.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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Tecovirimat is used to treat mpox. It's for people with severe disease or those at high risk of developing severe disease, such as people with weakened immune systems. It may help you become less sick and stay out of hospital. Read more about mpox.

Tecovirimat isn't recommended for use in people with milder mpox symptoms. When tecovirimat is prescribed too often to people with milder mpox symptoms, it may increase the chance that the mpox virus develops resistance to the medication. This means the medicine may no longer work for mpox.

Tecovirimat has not been approved by Medsafe

Tecovirimat is currently available for people with mpox although it hasn’t been approved by Medsafe yet. Your doctor will talk to you about the risks and benefits of this medicine, so that you have enough information to make a decision. If you choose to take tecovirimat, your doctor will ask you to give your consent by signing a form. Read more about unapproved medicines.

Supply of tecovirimat

Tecovirimat won't be available straight away at your pharmacy. They will need to order it for you after they've received your prescription.

Tecovirimat is available as capsules (200 mg).

The dose of tecovirimat will be different depending on your body weight.

Adult body-weight 40–120 kg: 3 capsules every 12 hours for 14 days.
Adult body-weight 120 kg and over: 3 capsules every 8 hours for 14 days.

Always take tecovirimat exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

Take each dose within 30 minutes after a full meal containing moderate or high fat (25 grams of fat). Swallow the capsules with a glass of water. Don't chew them.

Timing: Try to space the doses evenly throughout the day. If you take it 2 times a day, this could be first thing in the morning and at bedtime. If you take it 3 times a day, this could be first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon and at bedtime.
If you vomit within 30 minutes of taking your dose, you should take the dose again straight away.
If you have trouble swallowing the capsules, you can open the capsules and mix the contents with 2 tablespoons (about 30mL) of liquid such as milk or with some soft food (eg, yoghurt, ice cream) then swallow all the mixture.

Take the whole course for the number of days your doctor has told you to. Don't stop taking it, even if you start to feel better.

Let your doctor know if you:

are taking any other medicines including vitamins, herbal remedies or recreational drugs
have epilepsy
are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Like all medicines, tecovirimat can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine

Side effects	What should I do?
Nausea (feeling sick) Vomiting (being sick) Stomach pain Headache	These are quite common when you first start taking tecovirimat and usually go away with time. Tell your doctor if they bother you.
Irritability Anxiety Low mood	Talk to your doctor or ring Healthline 0800 611 116.
Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.