CYTOVENE

Drug Name: CYTOVENE

CYTOVENE DESCRIPTION:
GANCICLOVIR - ORAL CAPSULE (gan-SYE-klo-veer)

COMMON CYTOVENE BRAND NAME(S):
Cytovene

CYTOVENE SIDE EFFECTS:
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, confusion, nervousness, abnormal dreams, tremor, tingling sensation in fingers, weakness, or swelling of feet or ankles. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor immediately if any of these serious effects occur: skin rash, sore throat, fever, chills, trouble breathing, severe abdominal pain, any unusual bleeding. If you notice any other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE CYTOVENE:
CYTOVENE: CYTOVENE is taken by mouth. The capsules should be swallowed whole and taken with food. Do not open or crush the capsules. Use CYTOVENE exactly as prescribed. Do not stop using CYTOVENE or increase your dose without consulting your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids while taking CYTOVENE. At least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other liquids are recommended daily. Keep all doctor appointments and lab visits. CYTOVENE can affect your blood. Lab tests will be scheduled routinely to closely monitor the effect of CYTOVENE on your blood.

CYTOVENE WARNING:
Ganciclovir capsules are used only to prevent CMV infection in HIV patients or organ transplant patients; or for people who have CMV eye infection and weak immune systems. Using oral ganciclovir instead of the injectable form may increase the risk of developing a more severe infection. Use oral ganciclovir only when the injectable form cannot be used. CYTOVENE can cause severe blood disorders (e.g., anemia, granulocytopenia, decreased platelets). Notify your doctor immediately if you develop unusual fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding, or signs of an infection such as persistent fever or sore throat.

CYTOVENE USES:
This is an antiviral medication used to treat or prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections of the eye or for organ transplants.

CYTOVENE PRECAUTIONS:
Be sure your doctor knows your complete medical history. Avoid contacting the skin or mucous membranes with the contents of the capsule. Should contact occur, wash with plenty of soap and water; thoroughly rinse eyes with plain water. CYTOVENE is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using CYTOVENE. It is recommended that men and women use birth control measures while taking CYTOVENE since birth defects have been noted in animal studies. Men should use a barrier contraceptive (condom) while taking CYTOVENE and for at least 90 days after they stop taking it. Because it is not known if CYTOVENE appears in breast milk, consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.

CYTOVENE DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription) including: didanosine, imipenem-cilastatin, dapsone, pentamidine, cancer chemotherapy drugs, amphotericin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. CYTOVENE should be used under strict supervision by persons taking zidovudine (AZT) since the combination can result in severe blood disorders. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

CYTOVENE OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose could be expected to be extensions of symptoms noted in Side Effects section.

CYTOVENE NOTES:
CYTOVENE is not a cure for CMV infections, so symptoms may continue. Regular eye examinations are recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of this therapy. Use of CYTOVENE in children has been limited. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Elderly persons should use CYTOVENE cautiously and have periodic kidney tests to see if dosage adjustments are necessary.

MISSED CYTOVENE DOSE:
Do not double dose if missed; check with your MD.

CYTOVENE STORAGE:
Store at room temperature 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom.