valganciclovir

What is the most important information I should know about valganciclovir?

Do not use if you are pregnant. Valganciclovir can cause birth defects. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using this medicine.

Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, whether you are a man or a woman. Keep using birth control for at least 30 days after your last dose of valganciclovir if you are a woman, or for at least 90 days after your last dose if you are a man.

What is valganciclovir?

Valganciclovir is used in adults to prevent infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) that may occur after an organ transplant (heart, kidney, or pancreas). Valganciclovir is also used to treat CMV infection of the eye in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Valganciclovir is used in children who are 4 months old to 16 years old to prevent CMV infection after a kidney transplant. Valganciclovir is also used in children who are 1 month old to 16 years old to prevent CMV disease after a heart transplant.

Valganciclovir will not cure CMV but it can help control the infection.

Valganciclovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking valganciclovir?

Using valganciclovir may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancers. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• low blood cell counts; or
• radiation treatment.

• If you are a woman, do not use valganciclovir if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 30 days after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 90 days after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using valganciclovir.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because valganciclovir can harm an unborn baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take valganciclovir?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Valganciclovir tablets are for adults or children, but valganciclovir liquid is only for children.

While using valganciclovir, you may need frequent blood tests.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking valganciclovir?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury.

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Ask your doctor how to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe.

What are the possible side effects of valganciclovir?

• fever, chills, tiredness, flu-like symptoms;
• feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• mouth sores, skin sores;
• pale skin, cold hands and feet; or
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum).

• a seizure (convulsions);
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• pain or swelling near your transplanted organ; or
• kidney problems --little or no urination; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath.

Kidney problems may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

• fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• headache;
• tremors;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect valganciclovir?

Valganciclovir can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Other drugs may affect valganciclovir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about valganciclovir.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.02. Revision date: 12/1/2021.