Ganciclovir injection is used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (eye infection that can cause blindness) in people whose immune system is not working normally, including those people who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).How should this medicine be used?
Ganciclovir injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected intravenously (into a vein). It is usually given every 12 hours. The length of treatment depends on your general health, the type of infection you have, and how well you respond to the medication. Your doctor will tell you how long to use ganciclovir injection.
You may receive ganciclovir injection in a hospital, or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving ganciclovir injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?Before using ganciclovir injection,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ganciclovir, acyclovir (Sitavig, Zovirax), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ganciclovir injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: doxorubicin (Adriamycin), amphotericin B (Abelcet, AmBisome), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), dapsone, flucytosine (Ancobon), imipenem–cilastatin (Primaxin); medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) including didanosine (Videx) or zidovudine (Retrovir, in Combivir, in Trizivir); pentamidine (Nebupent); probenecid (Benemid; in Colbenemid) trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), vinblastine, or vincristine (Marqibo Kit). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a low number of red or white blood cells or platelets or other blood or bleeding problems, eye problems other than CMV retinitis, or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Ganciclovir injection may cause infertility (difficulty becoming pregnant). However, if you are a female and can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while receiving ganciclovir injection. If you are a male and your partner can become pregnant, you should use a condom while receiving this medication and for 90 days after your treatment. If you become pregnant while receiving ganciclovir injection, call your doctor immediately.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while receiving ganciclovir injection. Talk to your doctor about when you may safely begin breastfeeding after you stop receiving ganciclovir injection.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving ganciclovir injection.
