Before taking Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to ganciclovir; or if you have any other allergies.
Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: inability to make urine (anuria), kidney problems that require dialysis, severely low white/red blood cells, severely low platelets.
Before using Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, low white blood cells, low red blood cells, low platelets, bone marrow problems, HIV, liver problems (e.g., hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis), radiation treatment.
Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg may cause organ rejection problems in transplant patients. Ask your doctor about the symptoms of organ rejection.
Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg may cause cancer. Others should avoid touching the tablets. Avoid contact with broken or crushed tablets. Do not throw any tablets in the garbage or down the drain. Special disposal is required for Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg. Contact your pharmacist for more information.
Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Kidney function declines as you grow older. Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, caution is advised when using Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.
Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk of harm to an unborn baby. To prevent pregnancy, men with female partners should always use effective barrier protections (e.g., latex or polyurethane condoms) during all sexual activity during treatment and for at least 90 days after stopping the medication. Women who are taking Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg should also use at least 2 forms of effective birth control (e.g., birth control pills and condoms) during treatment and for at least 90 days after stopping the medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
It is not know if Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risks to the infant, breast-feeding is not recommended.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage is permitted between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg by mouth with food, usually 1-2 times daily or as directed by your doctor. The dose for organ transplant patients is usually once daily. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or break the tablets because doing so increases the risk of side effects. If you are taking Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg for CMV retinitis, your dose will be higher for the first 21 days to help get the infection under control.
Dosage of Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg is based on your weight, kidney function, medical condition, and response to therapy.
It is very important to continue taking Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
Do not take more or less of Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg than prescribed or stop taking it even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.
Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg and ganciclovir are not equal. Do not switch forms without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Inform your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., worsening vision).
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also Warning section.
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, headache, shaking (tremors), swelling of the legs, constipation, back pain, drowsiness, dizziness, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (slowed thinking, confusion, depression), decrease in the amount of urine, tingling/numbness of hands or feet, seizures, persistent nausea, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.
A very serious allergic reaction to Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Valcyte side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg, take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 2 hours of your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: didanosine, drugs that may lower bone marrow function (e.g., trimethoprim, pyrimethamine, doxorubicin, dapsone, flucytosine, zidovudine), probenecid, drugs that may lower kidney function (e.g., amphotericin B, cisplatin, cyclosporine), mycophenolate.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Valcyte (valganciclovir) 450mg.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.