Foscavir (Foscarnet Sodium Injection) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 10, 2012

Foscavir

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Foscavir

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FOSCAVIR®
(foscarnet sodium) Injection

WARNING

RENAL IMPAIRMENT IS THE MAJOR TOXICITY OF FOSCAVIR (foscarnet sodium injection) . FREQUENT MONITORING OF SERUM CREATININE, WITH DOSE ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN RENAL FUNCTION, AND ADEQUATE HYDRATION WITH ADMINISTRATION OF FOSCAVIR, IS IMPERATIVE. (See ADMINISTRATION section; Hydration.)

SEIZURES, RELATED TO ALTERATIONS IN PLASMA MINERALS AND ELECTROLYTES, HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH FOSCAVIR (foscarnet sodium injection) TREATMENT. THEREFORE, PATIENTS MUST BE CAREFULLY MONITORED FOR SUCH CHANGES AND THEIR POTENTIAL SEQUELAE. MINERAL AND ELECTROLYTE SUPPLEMENTATION MAY BE REQUIRED.

FOSCAVIR (foscarnet sodium injection) IS INDICATED FOR USE ONLY IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PATIENTS WITH CMV RETINITIS AND MUCOCUTANEOUS ACYCLOVIR-RESISTANT HSV INFECTIONS. (See INDICATIONS section.)

DRUG DESCRIPTION

FOSCAVIR is the brand name for foscarnet sodium. The chemical name of foscarnet sodium is phosphonoformic acid, trisodium salt. Foscarnet sodium is a white, crystalline powder containing 6 equivalents of water of hydration with an empirical formula of Na₃CO₅P•₆ H₂0 and a molecular weight of 300.1. The structural formula is:

FOSCAVIR® (foscarnet sodium) Structural Formula Illustration

FOSCAVIR (foscarnet sodium injection) has the potential to chelate divalent metal ions, such as calcium and magnesium, to form stable coordination compounds. FOSCAVIR (foscarnet sodium injection) INJECTION is a sterile, isotonic aqueous solution for intravenous administration only. The solution is clear and colorless. Each milliliter of FOSCAVIR contains 24 mg of foscarnet sodium hexahydrate in Water for Injection, USP. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust the pH of the solution to 7.4. FOSCAVIR (foscarnet sodium injection) INJECTION contains no preservatives.

What are the possible side effects of foscarnet (Foscavir)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using foscarnet and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

urinating less than usual or not at all;
dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions);

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Foscavir »

What are the precautions when taking foscarnet sodium injection (Foscavir)?

Before using foscarnet, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, dehydration, low electrolyte levels (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphate), nervous system problems (e.g., seizure history), heart disease.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children...

Read All Potential Precautions of Foscavir »

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/11/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.