Table 67: Antiviral Agents
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Drug Category: Antiviral Agents
Medication Class/Individual Agents: Antiviral Agents
I. Prior-Authorization Requirements
Antiviral Agents – Oral and Injectable |
Clinical Notes |
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Please note: In the case where the prior authorization (PA) status column indicates PA, both the brand and generic (if available) require PA. Typically, the generic is preferred when available unless the brand-name drug appears on the MassHealth Brand Name Preferred Over Generic Drug List. In general, when requesting the non-preferred version, whether the brand or generic, the prescriber must provide medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to the preferred version, in addition to satisfying the criteria for the drug itself.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines [homepage on the Internet]. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 2015 [updated 2015 Jun 5]; [cited 2018 May 31]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/tg-2015-print.pdf. |
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Antiviral Agents – Topical |
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# | This designates a brand-name drug with FDA “A”-rated generic equivalents. Prior authorization is required for the brand, unless a particular form of that drug (for example, tablet, capsule, or liquid) does not have an FDA “A”-rated generic equivalent. |
BP | Brand Preferred over generic equivalents. In general, MassHealth requires a trial of the preferred drug or clinical rationale for prescribing the non-preferred drug generic equivalent. |
II. Therapeutic Uses
FDA-approved, for example:
- Herpes labialis (Sitavig)
- Prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (Prevymis)
- Treatment of CMV infection post-transplant that is refractory to standard treatment in adult and pediatric patients ≥ 12 years of age and who weigh ≥ 35 kg (Livtencity)
Note: The above list may not include all FDA-approved indications.
III. Evaluation Criteria for Approval
Please note: In the case where the prior authorization (PA) status column indicates PA, both the brand and generic (if available) require PA. Typically, the generic is preferred when available unless the brand-name drug appears on the MassHealth Brand Name Preferred Over Generic Drug List. In general, when requesting the non-preferred version, whether the brand or generic, the prescriber must provide medical records documenting an inadequate response or adverse reaction to the preferred version, in addition to satisfying the criteria for the drug itself.
- All PA requests must include clinical diagnosis, drug name, application frequency, and tube size.
- A preferred drug may be designated for this therapeutic class. In general, MassHealth requires a trial of the preferred drug or clinical rationale for prescribing a non-preferred drug within a therapeutic class. Additional information about these agents, including PA requirements and preferred products, can be found within the MassHealth Drug List at www.mass.gov/druglist.
- For recertification requests, approval may require submission of additional documentation including, but not limited to, documentation of: some or all criteria for the original approval; response to therapy; clinical rationale for continuation of use; status of member’s condition; appropriate diagnosis; appropriate age; appropriate dose, frequency, and duration of use for requested medication; complete treatment plan; current laboratory values; and member’s current weight.
- Additional criteria may apply, depending upon the member's condition and requested medication (see below).
Livtencity
- Documentation of the following is required:
- appropriate diagnosis; and
- member is ≥ 12 years of age and weighs ≥35 kg; and
- prescriber is an infectious disease specialist or consultation notes from an infectious disease specialist are provided; and
- appropriate dosing; and
- member will not be receiving concurrent antiviral therapy with cidofovir, foscarnet, ganciclovir, or valganciclovir; and
- one of the following:
- inadequate response or adverse reaction to ganciclovir or valganciclovir; or
- contraindication to cidofovir, foscarnet, ganciclovir, and valganciclovir; or
- both of the following:
- contraindication to both ganciclovir and valganciclovir; and
- inadequate response or adverse reaction to cidofovir or foscarnet.
Prevymis
- Documentation of the following is required:
- appropriate diagnosis; and
- member is at high risk for CMV reactivation; and
- for the injection formulation, clinical rationale for use instead of the tablet formulation.
Sitavig
- Documentation of the following is required:
- appropriate diagnosis; and
- adverse reaction or contraindication to oral acyclovir; and
- inadequate response, adverse reaction, or contraindication to both oral famciclovir and valacyclovir; and
- if requesting more than two tablets per month, medical necessity for quantity must be provided.
Original Effective Date: 01/2013
Last Revised Date: 05/2022
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Last updated 06/27/22