Cidofovir (Intravenous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 22, 2022.
Acute renal failure resulting in dialysis or contributing to death has been reported. Use intravenous prehydration with normal saline and administration of probenecid with each cidofovir infusion to reduce nephrotoxicity. Monitor renal function within 48 hours prior to each dose and adjust dose as appropriate. Cidofovir is contraindicated in patients who are receiving other nephrotoxic agents. Neutropenia has been observed; monitor neutrophil counts during therapy. Cidofovir was carcinogenic, teratogenic, and caused hypospermia in animal studies .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Vistide
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antiviral
Chemical Class: Cytosine Nucleoside Analog
Uses for cidofovir
Cidofovir is an antiviral. It is used to treat infections caused by viruses.
Cidofovir is used to treat the symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the eyes (CMV retinitis) in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Cidofovir will not cure this eye infection, but it may help to keep the symptoms from becoming worse.
Cidofovir is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using cidofovir
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For cidofovir, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to cidofovir or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Cidofovir can cause serious side effects, including possible cancer and trouble in having children later. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with the child's doctor the good that cidofovir may do as well as the risks of using it.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of cidofovir in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking cidofovir, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using cidofovir with any of the..
