Cidofovir is an injectable antiviral medication used to treat eye infections caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) in people living with HIV.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in people with AIDs
Cidofovir is an antiviral medication that stops the CMV virus from being able to make copies of itself and spread.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Medicines like cidofovir can sometimes cause serious side effects such as blood problems and kidney problems; these are described below. Cidofovir has also been found to cause cancer in animals, and there is a chance it could cause cancer in humans as well. Discuss these possible side effects with your doctor.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Fever, chills, or sore throat
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Decreased urination
increased thirst and urination
Rare
Decreased vision or any change in vision
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Generalized weakness
loss of strength
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Good option for people who can't take valganciclor (Valcyte)
Given once a week or once every 2 weeks
Doesn't interact with many medications
Must be given by a healthcare professional and taken with another medication called probenecid
Can cause fertility problems in males and females and harm an unborn baby
Can cause serious side effects like kidney problems and low blood count
Cidofovir will be given as an infusion into your vein. The infusion itself will take about 1 hour.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated while you are taking cidofovir. It can help prevent kidney problems.
Don't take any medications without first talking to your provider. Many commonly used medications like over-the-counter NSAIDs can also harm the kidney. It's best to avoid taking multiple medications that can harm the kidney.
Cidofovir can cause fertility problems and might also harm the unborn baby of those who become pregnant while receiving this medication. Females should use contraception during treatment with cidofovir and for at least 30 days after they complete treatment. Males with female partners who may get pregnant should used condoms while they are getting cidofovir and for at least 90 days after they complete treatment with this medication.
Continue to take your HIV medications during treatment with cidofovir, unless instructed differently by your provider.
Cidofovir can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that cause kidney problems | Dehydration
Cidofovir can cause serious harm to the kidneys. The risk is also higher if you become dehydrated or take other medications that can harm the kidney such as NSAIDs, including: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Stay hydrated while taking cidofovir and talk to your provider before taking any medications, including over-the-counter pain and cold medications. Your provider will order lab tests within 48 hours of every dose to monitor your kidney. If your labs show changes in your kidney, they may stop the medication or lower your dose.
Cidofovir can lower your white blood cell count and raise your risk for infection. Your provider will do frequent blood tests to monitor this during therapy.
Cidofovir at prescribed doses can impact fertility in both men and women. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
Cidofovir can cause harm to an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. This harm is also true for males taking the medication who have female partners who may become pregnant. For this reason, females should use contraception while they are taking cidofovir and for at least 30 days after completing treatment. Males should use condoms while taking cidofovir and for at least 90 days after completing treatment.
Based on animal studies, cidofovir has the potential to cause cancer in humans.
Some people taking cidofovir experience a change in eye pressure. It can also lead to decreased vision or inflammation inside the eye. Let your provider know as soon as possible if you notice any changes to your eyes or vision.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
5ml of 75mg/ml | 1 vial | $107.06 | $107.06 |
The typical dose is based on the person's weight and is given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. The first 2 doses are once a week, followed by maintenance doses once every 2 weeks.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in people with AIDs
Prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after organ transplant
Treatment of CMV eye infection in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Eye infection due to herpes simplex virus (herpetic keratitis) in people ages 2 years and older
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