Drug Database - Valganciclovir

Generic Name: valganciclovir (val-gan-SYE-kloe-veer)

Brand Names: Valcytee®

Classification: Antiviral Drug

Issue Date: 2004

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

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.

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).

Valganciclovir should be used exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not take the medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take valganciclovir with food. Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. It is very important to take this medicine at the same time each day. To best treat your condition, you should not miss any doses.

Do not crush or break a valganciclovir tablet. Do not use a tablet that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a broken tablet can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water or rinse the eyes thoroughly with plain water. If you must handle a broken tablet, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the tablet safely.

You should have your eyes checked at least every 4 to 6 weeks while you are using valganciclovir. Your doctor may want you to have eye exams more often.

Valganciclovir can lower the blood cells in your body that help you fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

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

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• 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.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• skin rash or hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Stop taking valganciclovir and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding
• numbness or tingling in a part of the body
• signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms)
• seizure (convulsions)

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take valganciclovir and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
• headache
• sleepiness or dizziness
• weakness, lack of coordination
• confusion
• tremor (uncontrolled shaking)
• sleep problems (insomnia)

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Valganciclovir (Valcyte®) and ganciclovir (Cytovene®) must NEVER be taken together.

Before taking valganciclovir, talk to your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• zidovudine (Retrovir®, AZT®)
• didanosine (Videx®, ddI®)
• mycophenolate (CellCept®)
• drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids)
• probenecid (Benemid®, Probalan®)

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take valganciclovir, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect valganciclovir. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.