Generic name: ganciclovir (injection) [ gan-SYE-kloe-veer ]
Brand name: Cytovene
Dosage forms: intravenous powder for injection (500 mg); intravenous solution (2 mg/mL-NaCl 0.8%; 50 mg/mL)
Drug class:Purine nucleosides
What is ganciclovir?
Ganciclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat CMV retinitis in people with immunosuppression caused by HIV or AIDS. Ganciclovir is also used to prevent CMV disease in people with immunosuppression due to an organ transplant.
Ganciclovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Ganciclovir can weaken (suppress) your immune system, and you may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath, or signs of infection (fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, frequent or recurring illness).
Ganciclovir can cause birth defects. Both men and women using ganciclovir should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Keep using birth control for at least 30 days (for women) or 90 days (for men) after your last dose. ganciclovir may also affect fertility in a man or a woman.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ganciclovir or valacyclovir.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
kidney disease (or if you ...
