Valganciclovir Hydrochloride, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiviral

Generic and brand names: valganciclovir hydrochloride, oral; Valcyte

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (a severe eye infection) in people who have AIDS. It is also used to prevent CMV disease in people who have kidney, heart, or kidney/pancreas transplants.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a liver transplant
• a blood disorder such as anemia or low blood cell counts
• kidney disease (Do not take this medicine if you are receiving hemodialysis.)

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine during pregnancy because it may harm the baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control while taking this medicine and for at least 90 days after stopping this medicine. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Always take this medicine with food.

Do not break or crush the tablets. Do not handle broken tablets. Do not let broken or crushed tablets touch skin or the lining of your mouth, nose, or throat. If contact occurs, wash your skin thoroughly with soap and water and rinse your eyes, mouth, and throat thoroughly with plain water.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: seizures, decreased urination, blood in the urine, swelling, numbness in your hands or feet, pain in your lower back or sides, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe sudden stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting.

What should I watch out for?:

You need to have regular blood tests to check on how this medicine is affecting your blood and your kidneys. Keep all appointments for blood tests.

This medicine can affect sperm and cause birth defects. Use effective birth control during treatment, and at least 90 days after treatment with this medicine.

This medicine does not cure CMV retinitis. It is important to have your eyes checked regularly.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. The most serious side effects of this medicine are found by blood tests. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, seizures, sore throat, fatigue, unusual bleeding and bruising, new vision problems or eye pain, confusion, unusual tiredness or weakness, numbness or pain in hands or feet, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).

Other: Diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, tremors, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• amphotericin B (Fungizone)
• antibiotics such as sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, SMZ/TMP), imipenem/cilastatin (Primaxin), gentamicin (Garamycin), streptomycin, kanamycin (Kantrex), amikacin (Amikin), and tobramycin (Nebcin)
• immunosuppressant medicines such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral) and mycophenolate (CellCept)
• antiviral medicines such as didanosine (Videx), ganciclovir (Cytovene), and zidovudine (Retrovir)
• probenecid

Also, chemotherapy or radiation therapy used to treat cancer may be more dangerous when used with this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.