Ganciclovir Ophthalmic insert
What is this medicine?
GANCICLOVIR is an antiviral. It is used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) eye infections in patients with AIDS. This medicine is not a cure for CMV. The implant will only treat the eye it has been placed into. You may need treatment for other parts of the body infected by CMV.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
bleeding problems
-
other infections
-
low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, acyclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is placed in position by a surgical procedure. It is done by a trained surgeon in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 9 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medicine?
Interactions are not expected.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. Have your eyes checked every 4 to 6 weeks or as directed.
After the implant is placed in your eye, you may find you cannot see as well as you could before the procedure. This change should be for only a short time while you heal from the eye surgery. Tell your doctor if your vision does not get better in 2 to 4 weeks.
Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-
bleeding in the eye
-
cataract formation
-
detached retina
-
eye pain
-
prolonged changes in vision
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-
swelling, pain, and inflammation of the eye
-
temporary changes in vision
This list may not describe all possible side effects.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
Ganciclovir Oral capsule
What is this medicine?
GANCICLOVIR is an antiviral. It is used to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in patients with immune system problems. It is also used to treat CMV eye infections. This medicine is not a cure for CMV.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
kidney disease
-
low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, acyclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take it with food. Do not open or crush the capsules. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine. If you have a CMV eye infection have your eyes checked every 4 to 6 weeks.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or fluids daily while taking this medicine to help prevent side effects.
This medicine may cause birth defects to the unborn child if taken during pregnancy. Use contraception while taking this medicine. Males must use barrier contraception during therapy and for 90 days after stopping this medicine. If you think you may have become pregnant and are taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-
breathing problems
-
changes in vision
-
dizziness, lightheaded
-
fever or chills, sore throat
-
mouth sores
-
pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
-
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
-
unusual bleeding or bruising
-
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-
diarrhea
-
loss of appetite
-
nausea
-
stomach pain
This list may not describe all possible side effects.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 to 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Ganciclovir Sodium Solution for injection
What is this medicine?
GANCICLOVIR is an antiviral. It is used to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in patients after an organ transplant. It is also used to treat CMV eye infections in patients with immune system problems. This medicine is not a cure for CMV.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
kidney disease
-
low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, acyclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What may interact with this medicine?
-
amphotericin B
-
dapsone
-
didanosine, ddI
-
flucytosine
-
imipenem; cilastatin
-
pentamidine
-
probenecid
-
some antibiotics given by injection like amikacin, vancomycin
-
some medicines for cancer like cisplatin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, vincristine
-
sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim
-
zidovudine
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine. If you have a CMV eye infection have your eyes checked every 4 to 6 weeks.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or fluids daily while taking this medicine to help prevent side effects.
This medicine may cause birth defects to an unborn child if taken during pregnancy. Use contraception while taking this medicine. Males must use barrier contraception during therapy and for 90 days after stopping this medicine. If you think you may have become pregnant and are taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-
breathing problems
-
changes in vision
-
dizziness, lightheaded
-
fever or chills, sore throat
-
mouth sores
-
pain at site where injected
-
pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
-
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
-
unusual bleeding or bruising
-
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-
diarrhea
-
loss of appetite
-
nausea
-
stomach pain
This list may not describe all possible side effects.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.