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).