GANCICLOVIR (ORAL AND INJECTABLE)

(gan SYE kloe veer) Brand: Cytovene

What is the most significant information I must know about ganciclovir?

• If you are injecting ganciclovir at house, your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions on how and where to inject the medicine. If you do not understand these directions, do not attempt to inject the medicine. Contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.

• Serious side effects affecting the blood have been reported with the use of ganciclovir. Decreased levels of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) have occurred. Your doctor may monitor your blood with blood tests.

• Ganciclovir has caused birth defects in animals, and it is usually not recommended for use during pregnancy. Women must use an effective form of birth control during treatment with ganciclovir. Also, men must use a form of barrier contraception (e.g., condom) during and for at least 90 days next treatment with ganciclovir.

• Take all of the ganciclovir that has been predesigned, even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve till the infection is completely treated.

• Take oral ganciclovir with food to magnify its absorption by the body.

What is ganciclovir?

• Ganciclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the cytomegalovirus.

• Ganciclovir is used to treat and prevent infections caused by cytomegalovirus. This infection generally occurs in patients who have suppressed immune systems such as patients with AIDS and organ transplant patients.

• Ganciclovir may also be used for purposes another than those listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking ganciclovir?

• Till taking ganciclovir, speak your doctor if you have

· had an allergic reaction to ganciclovir or acyclovir (Zovirax);

· kidney malady; or

· blood problems or low blood counts.

• You may not be able to take ganciclovir, or you may need a dosage adjustment or particular monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

• Ganciclovir is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether ganciclovir will be deleterious to an unborn child. Ganciclovir has caused birth defects in animals, and it is usually not recommended for use during pregnancy. Women must use an effective form of birth control during treatment with ganciclovir. Also, men must use a form of barrier contraception (e.g., condom) during and for at least 90 days next treatment with ganciclovir.

• It is not known whether ganciclovir passes into breast milk. Usually, breast-feeding must be avoided during treatment with ganciclovir. Do not take ganciclovir without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I take ganciclovir?

• Take ganciclovir exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

• Take every oral doze with a full glass of water.

• Take every oral doze with food to magnify the absorption of the drug in your body.

• Your healthcare provider will administer injectable ganciclovir as an intravenous (into a vein) infusion.

• Do not use any ganciclovir that is discolored, has particles in it, or looks various from your previous doses. Throw away any unused ganciclovir after the amount of time certain by your pharmacist or doctor.

• Take all of the ganciclovir that has been predesigned for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve till the infection is completely treated.

• Your doctor may want you to have blood trials, eye exams, or another evaluations during treatment with ganciclovir to monitor progress and side effects.

• Store oral ganciclovir at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

• Dispose of used needles and syringes in a puncture resistant container out of the reach of children.

• Your healthcare provider will store injectable ganciclovir as directed by the manufacturer or give you detailed storage instructions if you are storing the medicine at home.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• If a doze of oral ganciclovir is missed, take the missed doze as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the following doze, skip that doze and take only your following regularly scheduled doze. Do not take a double doze of this medication.

• Contact your healthcare provider if you miss a doze of injectable ganciclovir.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

• Symptoms of a ganciclovir overdose include seizures, diarrhea, kidney hurt (decreased urine production), liver hurt (yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain), and bone marrow hurt (paleness, heighten chance of infection, fever and chills).

What must I avoid while taking ganciclovir?

• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with ganciclovir unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of ganciclovir?

• Stop taking ganciclovir and search abnormal medical attention if you experience any of the next serious side effects:

· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or person; or hives);

· paleness and fatigue that may be signs of anemia (a low level of red blood cells);

· unusual bleeding or bruising;

· fever or signs of infection; or

· numbness or tingling in a part of your body.

• Another, smaller serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take ganciclovir and conversation to your doctor if you experience

· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;

· heighten sweating;

· itching; or

· decreased sperm manufacture or infertility.

• Side effects another than those listed here may also occur. Conversation to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect ganciclovir?

• Till taking ganciclovir, speak your doctor if you are taking any of the next drugs:

· zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);

· didanosine (Videx);

· probenecid (Benemid); or

· imipenem-cilastatin (Primaxin).

• You may not be able to take ganciclovir, or you may require a dosage adjustment or particular monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

• Drugs another than those listed here may also interact with ganciclovir. Conversation to your doctor and pharmacist till taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about ganciclovir written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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