Valcyte (Valganciclovir Hcl) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Valcyte

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The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which infects humans when it comes in contact with tissues such as those that line the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes, or through a break in the skin.
HIV infection is generally a slowly progressive disease in which the virus is present throughout the body at all stages of the disease.
Three stages of HIV infection have been described.

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The stage of symptomatic infection, in which the body's immune (or defense) system has...

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Valcyte Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Valcyte)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Valcyte)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a valganciclovir overdose may include seizure (convulsions), kidney failure (urinating more or less than usual, blood in the urine, swelling or numbness in your hands or feet, pain in your lower back or sides), or signs of liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe and sudden stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting).

What should I avoid while taking valganciclovir (Valcyte)?

If you have AIDS, follow your doctor's instructions with respect to high-risk activities such as unprotected sex and the sharing of needles.

Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using valganciclovir, whether you are a man or a woman. Valganciclovir use by either parent can cause birth defects. If you are a man, use a condom to keep from causing a pregnancy while you are taking valganciclovir. Continue using condoms for at least 90 days after you stop taking valganciclovir.

Valganciclovir can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What other drugs will affect valganciclovir (Valcyte)?

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

Before taking valganciclovir, talk to your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);
didanosine (Videx, ddI);
mycophenolate (CellCept);
drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids); or
probenecid (Benemid, Probalan).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take valganciclovir, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect valganciclovir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?/

Your pharmacist has additional information about valganciclovir 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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