What is Foscavir: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Foscavir

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine is given slowly, so the needle will stay in place for 1 to 2 hours or longer.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• Missed dose: Injection routeCall your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Foscavir

Foscavir contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to foscarnet.

Foscavir warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, anemia, heart disease, a history of seizures, or if you are on a low sodium diet.

• Do not breastfeed. You can spread HIV or AIDS to your baby through your breast milk.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Kidney damageSeizuresElectrolyte imbalances in your blood, such as low calcium, potassium, or magnesiumHeart rhythm problem (such as QT prolongation)

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Seizures

• Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness

• Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. You will need regular eye exams if you are receiving this medicine for a CMV eye infection.

Foscavir interactions

• Some medicines can affect how foscarnet works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Acyclovir, amphotericin B, cyclosporine, methotrexate, pentamidine, or tacrolimusAminoglycoside antibioticDiuretic (water pill)Medicine to treat depressionMedicine to treat heart rhythm (including amiodarone, dofetilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)Medicine to treat an infectionPhenothiazine medicine

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, anemia, heart disease, a history of seizures, or if you are on a low sodium diet.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Kidney damageSeizuresElectrolyte imbalances in your blood, such as low calcium, potassium, or magnesium

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. You will need regular eye exams if you are receiving this medicine for a CMV eye infection.