Cytovene (Ganciclovir) Drug Overview of Drug Interactions and Missed Dose for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 26, 2012

Cytovene

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) »

What is CMV?

CMV, or cytomegalovirus (si-to-MEG-a-lo-vi-rus), is a virus that is found in all parts of the world.

What causes CMV?

For someone with HIV or AIDS, CMV can cause retinitis (blurred vision and blindness), painful swallowing (dysphagia), diarrhea, and pain; weakness; and numbness in the legs.

How is CMV spread?

CMV spreads from one person to another in saliva (spit), semen, vaginal secretions, blood, urine, and breast milk. You can get CMV when you touch these fluids with your hands, then touch your nose or mouth. People can also get CMV through sexual contact, breastfeeding, blood transfusions, and organ transplants.

What are the symptoms of CMV?

A blood test can tell you if you have CMV, but this test is not commonly performed. CMV doesn't always cause symptoms. When they first contract CMV, some people have:

fatigue,
...

Read the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) article »

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Cytovene Consumer (continued)

DRUG INTERACTIONS: The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.

To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: didanosine, imipenem/cilastatin, mycophenolate, probenecid.

You may be taking other drugs that decrease bone marrow function and lower your number of blood cells (such as cancer chemotherapy, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, zidovudine) or other drugs that may cause kidney problems (such as cyclosporine). Your doctor or pharmacist will monitor you closely and adjust your medications to decrease your risk of serious side effects.

Ganciclovir is very similar to valganciclovir. Do not use medications containing valganciclovir while using ganciclovir.

This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood tests, kidney tests, eye exams) should be performed often to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store the bags containing the medication solution in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Avoid freezing. Use by the labeled expiration date as directed by your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).