Ganciclovir capsules
What are ganciclovir capsules?
GANCICLOVIR (Cytovene®) is used to treat viral infections caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), including CMV retinitis (viral eye infection) and to prevent CMV infections in patients compromised immune systems. Generic ganciclovir capsules are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
decreased bone marrow function
-
kidney disease or decreased kidney function
-
undergoing radiation therapy
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take ganciclovir capsules by mouth with food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow capsules with a drink of water; do not crush or open the capsules. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with ganciclovir?
-
didanosine, ddI
-
mycophenolate
-
probenecid
-
zidovudine, ZDV
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ganciclovir capsules?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need regular blood checks. Ganciclovir is not a cure, and repeat courses of the medication are commonly needed to prevent or treat reactivation of the virus. Long-term drug use may be necessary. If you have CMV retinitis have your ophthalmologist check your eyes regularly (about every 4—6 weeks).
Ganciclovir may increase your risk for other infections or to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.
While you are receiving ganciclovir you must take plenty of fluids. Drink several glasses of water throughout the day. You may need to have an intravenous infusion of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Ganciclovir may harm your unborn baby or, in men, decrease sperm production. You should contact your prescriber as soon as possible if you believe or suspect you or your partner has become pregnant while you are taking ganciclovir. Both men and women must use effective birth control continuously while taking ganciclovir. Men should continue to use a condom for at least 90 days after stopping ganciclovir therapy. Do not nurse your baby while you take ganciclovir.
Until you know how ganciclovir makes you feel, do not drive, operate machinery or do any other tasks that require you to be alert.
What side effects may I notice from taking ganciclovir?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
signs of infection: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
-
signs of decreased platelets or bleeding: bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
-
signs of decreased red blood cells: unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
-
mouth sores
-
seizures (convulsions)
-
skin rash, itching
-
tingling or pain in hands or feet
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-
confusion
-
diarrhea
-
dizziness
-
heartburn
-
nausea, vomiting
-
sedation
-
stomach pain
-
unstable while walking
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Ganciclovir eye drops
What are Ganciclovir eye drops?
GANCICLOVIR is used to treat herpes infections in the eye.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
contact lenses
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should this medicine be used?
This medicine is only for use in the eye. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after each use. Tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your eye, fingertips, or any other surface. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the pouch. Close the eye gently to spread the drops. Your vision may blur for a few minutes. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your doctor or health care professional even if you think your condition is better.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with Ganciclovir?
Do not use any other eye products without telling your doctor or health care professional.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking Ganciclovir?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
Do not wear contact lenses while you are being treated with this medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving Ganciclovir?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date or 4 weeks after opening.
Ganciclovir injection
What is ganciclovir injection?
GANCICLOVIR (Cytovene® IV) is an antiviral drug used for cytomegalovirus (also called CMV). It is used to treat infections like CMV retinitis (viral eye infection). It is also used to prevent CMV infections in patients with weak immune systems. Generic ganciclovir injections are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
decreased bone marrow function
-
kidney disease or decreased kidney function
-
undergoing radiation therapy
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Ganciclovir is for slow infusion into a vein; usually administered over 1 to 2 hours, or for injection into the eye. Infusions and injections of ganciclovir are usually given in the hospital or clinic, or by a home health-care nurse.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss your dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What drug(s) may interact with ganciclovir?
-
didanosine, ddI
-
mycophenolate
-
probenecid
-
zidovudine, ZDV
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ganciclovir?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need regular blood checks. Ganciclovir is not a cure, and repeat courses of the medication are commonly needed to prevent or treat reactivation of the virus. Long-term drug use may be necessary. If you have CMV retinitis have your ophthalmologist check your eyes regularly (about every 4—6 weeks).
Ganciclovir may increase your risk for other infections or to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.
While you are receiving ganciclovir you must take plenty of fluids. Drink several glasses of water throughout the day. You may need to have an intravenous infusion of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Ganciclovir may harm your unborn baby or, in men, decrease sperm production. You should contact your prescriber as soon as possible if you believe or suspect you or your partner has become pregnant while you are taking ganciclovir. Both men and women must use effective birth control continuously while taking ganciclovir. Men should continue to use a condom for at least 90 days after stopping ganciclovir therapy. Do not nurse your baby while you take ganciclovir.
Until you know how ganciclovir makes you feel, do not drive, operate machinery or do any other tasks that require you to be alert.
What side effects may I notice from receiving ganciclovir?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
signs of infection: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
-
signs of decreased platelets or bleeding: bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
-
signs of decreased red blood cells: unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
-
mouth sores
-
seizures (convulsions)
-
skin rash, itching
-
tingling or pain in hands or feet
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-
confusion
-
diarrhea
-
dizziness
-
heartburn
-
nausea, vomiting
-
sedation
-
stomach pain
-
unstable while walking
Where can I keep my medicine?
This does not apply. You will not need to store this medication at home.
Ganciclovir intravitreal implant
What is ganciclovir intravitreal implant?
GANCICLOVIR (Vitrasert®) is used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (viral eye infection). The implant will only treat the eye into which it has been placed. Other regions of the body can be affected by CMV and require additional treatment. Generic ganciclovir intravitreal implants are not yet available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
bleeding problems
-
blood disorders
-
other eye infections
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Ganciclovir implants are placed in position by a surgical procedure that requires a high level of surgical skill. The procedure is only carried out by a well-trained surgeon.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What drug(s) may interact with ganciclovir intravitreal implant?
No interactions with other medicines have been observed with ganciclovir intravitreal implants. However, tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, or using, including non-prescription medicines. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ganciclovir intravitreal implant?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Have your ophthalmologist check your eyes regularly (about every 6 weeks).Tell your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can if you get any other infection or swelling in the eyes. Ganciclovir is not a cure, and repeat courses of the medication are commonly needed to prevent or treat reactivation of the virus. Long-term drug use may be necessary.
After the implant is inserted in your eye, you may find you cannot see as well as you could before the procedure. This effect should be only a temporary result of the surgical procedure and not last for more than 2 to 4 weeks. If your vision does not improve check with your prescriber or health care professional.
Ganciclovir may harm your unborn baby or, in men, decrease sperm production. You should contact your prescriber immediately if you believe or suspect you or your partner has become pregnant while you are taking ganciclovir. Both men and women must use effective birth control continuously while taking ganciclovir. Men should continue to use a condom for at least 90 days after stopping ganciclovir therapy. Do not nurse your baby while you are taking ganciclovir.
What side effects may I notice from receiving ganciclovir intravitreal implant?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
This does not apply.