Cytovene (Ganciclovir) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

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May 26, 2012

Cytovene

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) »

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

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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.

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Cytovene

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Cytovene Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Cytovene)?

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

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

What happens if I overdose (Cytovene)?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

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

What should I avoid while taking ganciclovir (Cytovene)?

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

What other drugs will affect ganciclovir (Cytovene)?

Before taking ganciclovir, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following 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 special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ganciclovir. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before 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, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every 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 outside 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 should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid 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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