Reviews Overview: Xocova is used to lower your risk of getting COVID-19 after coming into contact with someone who has it. Common side effects may include headache, diarrhea, or cough. Xocova works best if you start taking it within 72 hours of being around someone who has COVID-19. Xocova interacts with many different medicines. Tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take before you start taking Xocova.
Uses
What is Xocova used for?
Xocova (ensitrelvir) is commonly used to decrease your risk of getting COVID-19 after coming into contact with someone who has it.
Learn more about Xocova for Prevention of COVID-19.
Xocova may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
How does Xocova work (mechanism of action)?
Xocova is a medicine used against the virus that causes COVID-19. It works by preventing the virus from making more copies of itself. This may keep the levels of the virus low enough to keep you from getting a COVID-19 infection after being exposed to someone who has it.
How is Xocova supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Xocova
Dosage forms and strengths
- 125 mg oral tablets
How should I store Xocova?
Xocova should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not remove the tablets from the packaging until you are ready to take each dose.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Xocova?
The most common side effects of Xocova are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Cough
There may be other side effects of Xocova that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Xocova?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Xocova are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Xocova may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Xocova and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Xocova?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Xocova.
- Ensitrelvir
- Xocova
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Xocova.
Drug Interactions. Xocova should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Xocova, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
What should I know about Xocova before using it?
Do not take Xocova unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share Xocova with other people. It may harm them.
Keep Xocova out of the reach of children.
Xocova interacts with many different medicines. Some of these interactions can lead to serious problems. Tell your health care provider about all of the medicines you take. Do not start any new medicines while taking Xocova without discussing them with your health care provider. See the Interactions section for more details.
To give Xocova the best chance of preventing COVID-19, you should start taking it within 3 days (72 hours) of being around someone who has COVID-19. Starting Xocova later than this can decrease how well it works.
Try to take your dose around the same time each day. This helps keep enough of the medicine in your body for it to work properly.
What should I tell my health care provider before using Xocova?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Xocova is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Pregnancy. Xocova may affect pregnancy or cause harm to a fetus. You should take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Xocova. You should use effective birth control while you are taking Xocova and for 2 weeks after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while taking Xocova or for 2 weeks after your last dose. It is not known if Xocova passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
How can I get more information about Xocova?
For more information about Xocova, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.xocova.com or call them at 877-4XOCOVA (877-496-2682).
Interactions
Does Xocova interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Xocova and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Xocova.
Does Xocova interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Xocova.
- Apalutamide (Erleada) or enzalutamide (Xtandi), which is a medicine used to treat prostate cancer
- Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin
- Colchicine, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
- An ergot, such as dihydroergotamine (Migranal, Trudhesa, and others), ergotamine (Ergomar), or methylergonovine (Methergine), which is a medicine used to treat migraine
- Eplerenone (Inspra), which is a medicine for certain heart problems or high blood pressure
- Finerenone (Kerendia), which is a used to help certain people with kidney problems
- Ivadbradine (Corlanor), which is used for heart failure
- Lomitapide (Juxtapid), which is used to lower very high cholesterol levels
- Lumacaftor/ivacaftor, which is a medicine used for cystic fibrosis
- Lurasidone (Latuda), which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
- Pimozide (Orap), which is a medicine used to manage tics caused by Tourette syndrome
- Quinidine, which is a medicine used to treat malaria or control your heart rate or rhythm
- Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
- Simvastatin (Zocor), which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
- Triazolam (Halcion), which is to treat insomnia
- Volclosporin, which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
Xocova may alter the blood levels of many other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Xocova. Always check with your health care provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Xocova?
If you or someone else has used too much Xocova, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Xocova?
If you miss a dose and you realize it the same day you were supposed to take that dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you realize you missed a dose and it is a day or more after you should have taken it, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
It is important to complete your prescribed course of Xocova, even if you think you are not going to get sick.
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