Fomivirsen (Intraocular)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 30, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Vitravene

Pharmacologic Class: Antisense Oligonucleotide

Uses for fomivirsen

Fomivirsen is an antiviral medicine that is injected into the eye (intravitreal). It is used to treat a serious condition called cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in persons who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fomivirsen will not cure this eye infection, but it may help to keep the symptoms from becoming worse.

Fomivirsen is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using fomivirsen

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 fomivirsen, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fomivirsen 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

Studies with fomivirsen have been done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use of fomivirsen in children with use in other age groups.

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 fomivirsen 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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of fomivirsen

Fomivirsen will not cure CMV retinitis, although it may help keep it from getting worse. In addition, it will not help other symptoms of CMV (for example, in the lungs or colon).

Dosing

The dose of fomivirsen will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of fomivirsen. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, ...