cidofovir
Cidofovir is an injectable antiviral medication used to treat eye infections caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) in people living with HIV.
What is Cidofovir?
What is Cidofovir used for?
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in people with AIDs
How Cidofovir works
Cidofovir is an antiviral medication that stops the CMV virus from being able to make copies of itself and spread.
Drug facts
Side effects of Cidofovir
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Protein in the urine (50%)
- Low white blood count (24%)
- Change in eye pressure (24%)
- Fever (14%)
- Infection (12%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
The following Cidofovir side effects have also been reported
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
Pros and cons of Cidofovir
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Pharmacist tips for Cidofovir
- 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.
Common questions about Cidofovir
Cidofovir will be prepared and administered by a healthcare professional. The infusion will usually take an hour. Your provider will given you instructions on when to take a medication called probenecid before and after your infusion.
Probenecid blocks the kidneys from removing cidofovir from the body. This results in higher levels of the medication and can help protect the kidneys from the potentially harmful effects of cidofovir.
Yes, cidofovir can be considered a cytotoxic medication that can harm cells, which is why it is always handled with care by healthcare professionals.
Cidofovir has not been studied for the treatment of CMV in people who do not have AIDs. Many people with healthy immune systems don't need to take antiviral medications if they have CMV. However, if a provider believes that a patient with CMV who does not have AIDs may benefit from antiviral medication therapy, cidofovir may be one of the options.
The medication in cidofovir can be made into an eye drop and prescribed by a veterinarian for viral eye infections in cats. It is not the same preparation as the IV medication discussed on this page.
How to save using GoodRx
Risks and warnings for Cidofovir
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.
Kidney problems
- 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.
Low white blood cell count
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.
Fertility problems
Cidofovir at prescribed doses can impact fertility in both men and women. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
Harm to unborn baby
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.
Cancer risk
Based on animal studies, cidofovir has the potential to cause cancer in humans.
Changes in vision
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.
Cidofovir dosage
Vial| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5ml of 75mg/ml | 1 vial | $228.25 | $228.25 |
Interactions between Cidofovir and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Amikacin
- Dibekacin
- Foscarnet
- Framycetin
- Gentamicin
- Kanamycin
- Neomycin
- Netilmicin
- Pentamidine
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
How much does Cidofovir cost?
$228.25
What are alternatives to Cidofovir?
Cidofovir images
