Valganciclovir tablets

What is this medicine?

VALGANCICLOVIR (val gan SYE kloh veer) is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat or prevent infections caused by certain kinds of viruses. It is commonly used to treat and prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections of the eye and body.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take with food. Do not chew or crush. Do not touch broken tablets with bare hands. Wash skin with soap and water if broken tablets touch your skin. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 month for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• changes in vision

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• fever or chills, sore throat

• hallucination, loss of contact with reality

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• seizures

• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• cough

• diarrhea

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach pain

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• amphotericin B

• certain medicines for cancer like adriamycin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, vincristine

• certain medicines for HIV like didanosine, zidovudine

• cyclosporine

• dapsone

• flucytosine

• hydroxyurea

• imipenem; cilastatin

• mycophenolate mofetil

• pentamidine

• probenecid

• sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim

• tacrolimus

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 to 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease

• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine. If you have a CMV eye infection have your eyes checked every 4 to 6 weeks.

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or fluids daily while taking this medicine to help prevent side effects.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. If you are a female who can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control during treatment with and for at least 30 days after treatment. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

Men should not father a child while taking this medicine. Men should use a condom during sexual contact with a female partner who might become pregnant during, and for at least 90 days after, treatment. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.