The interaction between nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and sirolimus: a case report of a kidney recipient with renal insufficiency and COVID-19

J Int Med Res. 2025 Jan;53(1):3000605241307845. doi: 10.1177/03000605241307845.

Abstract

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is a novel drug combination authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This report describes the case of a patient with a prior history of kidney transplantation who received nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. In this case, sirolimus use was successfully stopped before nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment, and the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir trough concentration was determined. During nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment, the sirolimus trough concentration remained stable. This case highlights the risk associated with the concomitant administration of sirolimus and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Providers should therefore be cautious when prescribing nirmatrelvir/ritonavir to kidney transplant recipients currently receiving sirolimus, with caution exercised based on creatinine clearance.

Keywords: COVID-19; Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir; drug–drug interaction; immunosuppression; kidney transplantation; sirolimus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Interactions
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Renal Insufficiency
  • Ritonavir* / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Sirolimus* / adverse effects
  • Sirolimus* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Ritonavir
  • Sirolimus
  • Drug Combinations
  • Immunosuppressive Agents