The oral antiviral agents nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) and molnupiravir are used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection in outpatients. However, drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with frequently prescribed medications call for extra precaution, especially with the emergence of COVID-19 variants and widespread use of oral COVID-19 treatments.

This latest comprehensive review of available data on DDIs between NMV/r, molnupiravir and common dermatological medications summarises the potential side effects, and suggests strategies for safe COVID-19 treatment. NMV/r has significant DDIs with many common dermatological medications, which may require temporary discontinuation, dosage adjustment, or substitution with other anti-COVID-19 agents such as molnupiravir.

^{Illustration by Xinyu Li}