GANCICLOVIR - ORAL (Cytovene) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

Article

ganciclovir - oral, Cytovene

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz

Surprising Benefits of Sex Slideshow

Foods & Drinks That Make You Gotta Go Slideshow

GENERIC NAME: GANCICLOVIR - ORAL (gan-SYE-klo-veer)

BRAND NAME(S): Cytovene

WARNING: Ganciclovir can decrease bone marrow function. This serious, possibly life-threatening side effect may lead to a low number of blood cells such as red cells, white cells, and platelets. This effect can cause anemia, decrease your body's ability to fight an infection, and cause bleeding problems. Your doctor will check the results of your blood tests and adjust your treatment to reduce your risk for these side effects. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs of anemia (such as unusual tiredness, fast breathing, pale skin, fast heartbeat), signs of infection (such as fever, chills, cough, persistent sore throat), and signs of bleeding (such as easy bruising/bleeding, nose bleeds, bleeding gums, bloody/black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds).

Ganciclovir has caused decreased sperm production in animals and may decrease the ability of men to father a baby.

Ganciclovir has caused tumors in laboratory animals. Although there is no information in humans, ganciclovir should be considered cancer-causing (carcinogenic). See also How to Use and Precautions sections.

USES: Ganciclovir is an anti-viral drug. It is used to prevent disease caused by a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) in people with advanced HIV disease (AIDS) and in people who have received organ transplants. CMV disease can lead to serious infections in the body, including an infection in the eye, called CMV retinitis, that can cause blindness. Ganciclovir works by slowing the growth of the CMV virus. It helps prevent the spread of infection to other areas of the body. It also helps control CMV retinitis and decrease the risk of blindness.Ganciclovir is also used to treat people with weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS) who have CMV retinitis. Ganciclovir injection is given first to stabilize the disease and then usually continued to control the symptoms of the disease (maintenance treatment). However, in some people, ganciclovir is given by mouth for maintenance treatment when the injection cannot be used. Use of the oral form of ganciclovir instead of the injection may increase the rate of progression of CMV retinitis.Ganciclovir is not a cure for CMV disease. Some people may have worsening CMV retinitis even with treatment. Therefore, it is important to have your eyes checked regularly by your doctor.OTHER This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.This drug may also be used to help prevent CMV disease in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy treatment.