Ganciclovir (Intravenous)

What is ganciclovir?

Ganciclovir is an antiviral drug. It is used to treat infections caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

It is also used to help prevent CMV/EBV infections in patients whose natural immunity is weak, such as patients who receive organ transplants or bone marrow transplants.

You may also hear ganciclovir called by its brand name, Cytovene. Ganciclovir comes in an injection form.

Before ganciclovir is given to your child

Tell your doctor if your child is allergic to ganciclovir.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• kidney disease
• low platelet count or low white blood cell count.

How should you give your child ganciclovir?

Ganciclovir is available as a clear liquid given by needle into your child's vein. Usually your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or the nursing unit. Your child may get injections at home by a nurse.

• Doses may be given once or twice a day.
• Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving this medicine for any reason.

What are the possible side effects of ganciclovir?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take ganciclovir. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• headache
• loss of appetite
• upset stomach (nausea) and vomiting

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• fever or chills
• sore throat or cough
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• blood in stools or urine
• black, tarry stools
• unusual tiredness and weakness
• changes in mood
• tremor or shaking
• skin rash
• numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• problems passing urine, or going to the bathroom less often

What safety measures should you take when your child is using ganciclovir?

Your child's doctor will order blood tests to monitor for problems with the liver, kidney and blood while your child is receiving ganciclovir.

Speak with your doctor or nurse if your child has many vomiting or diarrhea episodes.

Ganciclovir can lower the number of white blood cells in the blood for a short time. White blood cells are the cells that fight infection. When the number of white blood cells is low, your child has an increased risk of getting an infection.

You can do these things to prevent infections:

• Avoid people with infections, such as colds or the flu.
• Avoid places that are very crowded.
• Teach your child to wash their hands properly. Hand washing is the most important way to stop the spread of germs that cause infections.
• You or your child should not touch your child's eyes or the inside of their mouth or nose without washing hands first.
• Your child's nurse will review with you what to do in case of fever.

Ganciclovir can lower the number of platelets in the blood, which increases your child's risk of bleeding. If your child develops low platelet counts, you can take the following precautions:

• Be careful not to cut your child when using a razor, fingernail scissors, or toenail clippers.
• Your child should avoid contact sports or other activities where bruising or injury could occur.
• Before your child has surgery, including dental surgery, inform the doctor or dentist that your child is taking ganciclovir.
• Your child should not receive a permanent tattoo or any kind of body piercing.

There is a chance that ganciclovir may cause birth defects if it is taken at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. If your child is sexually active it is best that they use some kind of birth control while receiving ganciclovir and for 90 days after treatment with ganciclovir ends. Tell the doctor right away if your child may be pregnant.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine (prescription, non-prescription, herbal or natural products).

What other important information should you know about ganciclovir?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Before your child has any kind of surgery, including dental surgery, or an emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking ganciclovir.
• This medicine may be stored in the fridge or at room temperature, depending on how it was made. Please read the storage instructions carefully.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep ganciclovir (intravenous) out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much ganciclovir (intravenous), call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.