valganciclovir Health Article

Generic name(s):

valganciclovir

Brand name(s):

Valcyte

What is the most important information I should know about valganciclovir?

Valganciclovir (Valcyte) and ganciclovir (Cytovene) must never be taken together. If your doctor switched you from ganciclovir (Cytovene) to valganciclovir (Valcyte), the number of pills you use each day may change. To avoid overdosage, take only as many valganciclovir tablets as your doctor has prescribed. Using valganciclovir while you are pregnant may cause harm to the unborn baby. If a man fathers a child while using this medication, the baby may have birth defects. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using valganciclovir. If you are a man, use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 90 days after you stop using valganciclovir. Do not use a tablet that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a crushed or broken tablet can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. If you must handle a broken tablet, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to handle and dispose of the tablet safely.

Valganciclovir can lower the blood cells in your body that control bleeding and help you fight infection. Your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. Contact your doctor right away if you have any bleeding or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches, or flu symptoms).

What is valganciclovir?

Valganciclovir is an antiviral drug. It works by preventing viral cells from multiplying in your body. Valganciclovir will not cure CMV but it can help control the infection.

Valganciclovir treats cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the eye in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Valganciclovir also prevents CMV infection in patients who have received an organ transplant (kidney, heart, or kidney-pancreas).

Valganciclovir may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Your doctor may have switched you from ganciclovir (Cytovene) to valganciclovir (Valcyte). Be aware that the strength of these two medications is different. A valganciclovir tablet contains more medicine than a ganciclovir capsule. You may not need to use as many valganciclovir tablets as you did ganciclovir capsules. To avoid overdosage, take only as many valganciclovir tablets as your doctor has prescribed. An overdose of this medication can cause serious illness.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking valganciclovir?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease,

• liver disease, or

• a blood cell disorder (such as anemia).

Tell your doctor if you are on hemodialysis or if you have recently had a radiation treatment.

Valganciclovir is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known if it will be harmful to an unborn baby. A similar drug called ganciclovir (Cytovene) did cause birth defects in animal studies. Using valganciclovir while you are pregnant could also cause harm to the unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. If a man fathers a child while using valganciclovir, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Continue using condoms for at least 90 days after you stop using valganciclovir.

This medication can affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman.

You should not breast-feed while you are using valganciclovir. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. If you have HIV or AIDS, you should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

Valganciclovir may cause cancer. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk.