Valganciclovir is used to treat or prevent infections and diseases caused by a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) for those who are recipients of organ transplantation.
This medicine may also be used to treat infections of the retina (layer at the back of the eye) in individuals with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Valganciclovir is available as a tablet and as an oral solution.
Do not break or crush the tablet.
If you are taking the oral solution, shake the bottle well before you take the medicine to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.
Valganciclovir must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Valganciclovir if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) or other similar medicines such as ganciclovir.
Do not take this medicine if you are undergoing dialysis (a procedure that helps individuals with kidney failure to filter toxic substances from the blood).
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- blood disorder e.g. low blood cell count
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Valganciclovir to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while being treated with this medicine. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist. Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Valganciclovir therapy and for 30 days (in women) or 90 days (in men) after stopping the treatment.
This medicine is not intended for liver transplant patients.
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.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment, to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. blood tests) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Valganciclovir may cause dizziness, confusion or fits or seizures. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, stomach pain, stomach wind, constipation, indigestion, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased weight, cough, fever, back pain, muscle pain, tiredness, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- feeling depressed
- change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation
- tingling, numbness, and pain usually in the hands and feet
- burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, pelvic pain
- pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
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. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
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:
- probenecid (medicine for gout or high uric acid in the blood)
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. didanosine, stavudine, zidovudine
- medicines for hepatitis B infection e.g. adefovir, tenofovir
- medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus
- medicines for cancer e.g. doxorubicin, hydroxyurea, vinblastine, vincristine
- certain antibiotics e.g. trimethoprim, sulfonamides, imipenem-cilastatin
- medicine to treat fungal infection e.g. amphotericin B, flucytosine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Valganciclovir.
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.
Available products of Valganciclovir may vary with its storage requirements. Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to properly store this medicine.
Refrigerate the oral suspension (between 2-8°C) once you have mixed the powder with water. Do not freeze it otherwise, it will become less effective. Throw away unused portion after 49 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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