VALGANCICLOVIR

(val gan SYE kloe veer) Brand: Valcyte

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

• Valganciclovir tablets are for adults or children, but valganciclovir liquid is only for children. Adults must not use the oral solution or the doze may not be correct.

• Valganciclovir (Valcyte) and ganciclovir (Cytovene) should never be taken together. If your doctor switched you from ganciclovir (Cytovene) to valganciclovir (Valcyte), the number of pills you use every day may change. Take only the number of tablets your doctor has prescribed.

• Valganciclovir has caused birth defects in animal research. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control while you are using this medicine and for at least 30 days after your treatment ends.

• If a man fathers a baby while taking valganciclovir, the child may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 90 days after you stop using valganciclovir.

• Do not crush or interrupt a valganciclovir tablet. Do not use a pill that has been accidentally broken. The medication from a crushed or broken pill can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes or on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken tablet or capsule.

• Valganciclovir can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your treatment may be delayed based on the results of these trials. Visit your doctor regularly.

What is valganciclovir?

• Valganciclovir is an antiviral drug. It works by preventing viral cells from multiplying in your body.

• Valganciclovir treats cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the eye in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Valganciclovir also prevents CMV infection in adults and children who have received an organ transplant (heart, kidney, or kidney-pancreas).

• Valganciclovir will not cure CMV but it can help control the infection. Valganciclovir is not for treating CMV that a child is born with.

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

• Your doctor may have switched you from ganciclovir (Cytovene) to valganciclovir (Valcyte). The power of these two medications is various. A valganciclovir tablet contains more medication than a ganciclovir capsule. You may not need to use as much valganciclovir tablets as you did ganciclovir capsules. Take only the number of valganciclovir tablets your doctor has predesigned.

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

• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to valganciclovir or ganciclovir (Cytovene).

• Valganciclovir (Valcyte) and ganciclovir (Cytovene) should never be taken together.

• To create certain you can safely take valganciclovir, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:

· kidney malady (or if you are on dialysis);

· liver disease;

· a blood cell mess (such as anemia or low levels of platelets in your blood); or

· if you are receiving radiation treatment or drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medication or steroids).

• HIV or AIDS can be passed to the child if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant. Valganciclovir will not prevent congenital (inherited) CMV in a newborn child.

• FDA pregnancy category C. Valganciclovir has caused birth defects in animal research. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control while you are using this medicine and for at least 30 days after your treatment ends.

• If a man fathers a baby while using valganciclovir, the child may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 90 days after you stop using valganciclovir.

• This medicine can affect fertility (your capacity to have children), whether you are a man or a woman.

• You must not breast-feed while you are taking valganciclovir. Women with HIV or AIDS must not breast-feed a child. Even if your child is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the child in your breast milk.

How must I take valganciclovir?

• Take exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not take in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

• Take valganciclovir with food.

• Valganciclovir tablets are for adults or children, but valganciclovir liquid is only for children. Adults must not use the oral solution or the doze may not be correct.

• Shake valganciclovir liquid well just till you measure a doze. Measure the liquid with a particular dose-measuring spoon or medication cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• Do not crush or interrupt a valganciclovir tablet. Do not use a tablet that has been accidentally broken. The medication from a crushed or broken pill can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes or on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken tablet or capsule.

• Take this medicine for the full predesigned length of time. Your symptoms may improve till the infection is completely cleared.

• Use valganciclovir regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled till you run out of medication completely.

• You must have your eyes checked at least each 4 to 6 weeks while you are using valganciclovir. Your doctor may want you to have eye exams more often.

• Store valganciclovir tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

• Store valganciclovir liquid in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused after 49 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose symptoms may include urinating smaller than normal or not at all, swelling, weight gain, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms), or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

What must I avoid while taking valganciclovir?

• Valganciclovir may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

• If you have HIV or AIDS, taking this medicine will not prevent you from passing HIV to another people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Conversation with your doctor about safety ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medication needles is never safety, even for a healthy person.

• Avoid being around people who are sick or have infections. Speak your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection. Avoid activities that may magnify your risk of bleeding or injury.

What are the possible side effects of valganciclovir?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Stop using valganciclovir and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

· pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart course, trouble concentrating;

· fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

· light bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

· urinating smaller than normal or not at all;

· drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, heighten thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;

· swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath; or

· seizure (convulsions).

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· dizziness, loss of balance or coordination;

· diarrhea, constipation;

· tremor (shaking); or

· cool symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and cough.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect valganciclovir?

• Speak your doctor about all another medications you use, especially:

· didanosine (Videx);

· mycophenolate (CellCept);

· probenecid (Benemid, Col-Probenecid); or

· zidovudine (Combivir, Retrovir, Trizivir).

• This list is not complete and another drugs may interact with valganciclovir. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?/

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about valganciclovir.

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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