Valcyte

What is it?

An ante-retroviral drug which is a DNA polymerise inhibitor prodrug, available as oval, film-coated, pink tablets containing 450mg of valganciclovir as hydrochloride marked VGC and 450.

Medical Uses

Aids patients with CMV retinitis.

Dosage

Adults, 2 tablets taken with food twice each day for 3 weeks, then 2 once each day for maintenance.

Special Care

Pregnancy, elderly, blood changes, impaired liver or kidney function, changing from ganciclovir therapy, radiotherapy. Blood and platelet counts are needed. Women must use effective contraception and men should use condoms dur ing treatment and for 90days afterwards.

Avoid Use

Children, breastfeeding, kidney dialysis.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Drugs affecting the kidneys, drugs inhibiting cell division, didanosine, probenecid, imipenemcilastatin, mycophenolate mofetil, bone marrow suppressants.

Known Side Effects

Loss of appetite, peripheral nerve damage, back pain, sweating, itching, insomnia, weight loss, altered sense of taste, thrush in mouth, anxiety, blond changes, insomnia, detached retina, macular oedema (fluid retention in eye), headache, vitreous floaters (spots in eye), fatigue, dermatitis, dizziness, tingling/numbness/'pins and needles' sensation, gastrointestinal upset, depression, cough, loss of sensation. Any adverse side effects should be reported to the Committee on the safety of Medicines (CSM).