Ganciclovir
Indications:-
- life or sight-threatening cytomegalovirus infections in immunocompromised patients only. NOT FOR NEONATAL OR CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION
Cautions:
- history of exposure to radiation or to drugs toxic to bone marrow
- increased risk of seizures with imipenem
- potential carcinogen
- haematological toxicity
- renal impairment
- concomitant administration of drugs that prevent replication of rapidly dividing cells
- ensure adequate hydration
- vesicant - infuse only into veins with adequate blood flow
Contra-indications:
- pregnancy and breast feeding
- hypersensitivity to ganciclovir or acyclovir
- abnormally low neutrophil counts
Side-effects:
- neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
- anaemia and eosinophilia
- fever
- rash
- abnormal liver function tests
- raised blood urea nitrogen or serum creatinine
- sepsis
- facial oedema
- sore throat
- epistaxis
- malaise
- others - See current issue of BNF
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