What is Ganciclovir Sodium? Uses, warnings & side effects

You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine. Never share your medicine with anyone.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine. Never share your medicine with anyone.

You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

If you miss more than one dose, call your doctor or caregiver for instructions.

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.

Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ganciclovir, acyclovir (Zovirax®), famciclovir (Famvir®), or valacyclovir (Valtrex®).

Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

If your symptoms of CMV get worse while you are taking this medicine, contact your doctor.

Use two forms of birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 90 days after your treatment ends. This is very important whether you are a man or a woman.

Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease or are on kidney dialysis.

Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men and women using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

This medicine can cause birth defects if it is used by the mother while she is pregnant or by the father when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Ganciclovir does not cure CMV eye infections, but it may keep the infection from getting worse. If you have a CMV eye infection, you will need to have your eyes tested regularly while taking ganciclovir.

Use two forms of birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 90 days after your treatment ends. This is very important whether you are a man or a woman.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using didanosine (Videx®), zidovudine (Retrovir®), probenecid (Benemid®), imipenem-cilastatin (Primaxin®), dapsone, pentamidine, flucytosine (Ancobon®), amphotericin B, cotrimoxazole (Septra®, Bactrim®), or any medicine to treat cancer.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

If your symptoms of CMV get worse while you are taking this medicine, contact your doctor.

Ganciclovir does not cure CMV eye infections, but it may keep the infection from getting worse. If you have a CMV eye infection, you will need to have your eyes tested regularly while taking ganciclovir.

Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men and women using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.

Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease or are on kidney dialysis.