Cidofovir is used together with other medicine to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (an eye infection which causes inflammation of the retina, the part of the eye that senses light) in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Cidofovir injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein) as an infusion. It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Cidofovir.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use Cidofovir if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Alert your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction (breathlessness, rashes, swollen eyes) to probenecid or other sulfa-containing medications such as sulfamethoxazole.
Alert your doctor if you have kidney disease, as Cidofovir may not be suitable for you.
Do not use this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Do not use Cidofovir with similar medicines such as tenofovir and other medicines that may cause damage to the kidneys. Please see the section "Can I use this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
It is important that women of childbearing potential do not get pregnant while using Cidofovir and that men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Cidofovir therapy and for 6 months (in women) or 3 months (in men) after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, complete blood count) may be done before you start the treatment and while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular eye examinations may also be needed.
Cidofovir may cause any of the following side effects: headache, fever, nausea, diarrhoea, and rash.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
- confusion, fast breathing or shortness of breath, fast or abnormal heartbeat, very bad stomach pain, sleepiness, tiredness, weakness
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- vomiting, very bad back pain, very bad stomach pain
This medicine may cause the level of your white blood cells to drop.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. zidovudine, tenofovir
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. amphotericin B
- medicines to treat viral infection e.g. adefovir, foscarnet
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Cidofovir.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store intact vials below 25°C, away from the reach of children.
Store diluted solutions between 2-8°C. Throw away remaining solution after 24 hours. Do not freeze.
If you notice that the solution has changed colour or has become cloudy, do not use it. Throw it away and use a new solution.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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