GANCICLOVIR (Implantation-Ophthalmic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
Category
Description
Ganciclovir (gan-SYE-kloe-veer) is an antiviral medicine that is usedin an implant that is inserted into the eye during surgery. The ganciclovirimplant is used to treat a serious condition called cytomegalovirus (CMV)retinitis in persons who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).Ganciclovir will not cure this eye infection, but it may help to keep thesymptoms from becoming worse.
After your eye has used up all the medicine in the implant (generally within5 to 8 months), the implant is removed by surgery and, at the same time, anotherimplant can be inserted.
The surgery, the implant containing this medicine, or the medicine itselfmay cause some serious side effects, including detachment of the retina, formationof a cataract, and eye infections. Before you receivethis implant, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicineand surgery will do as well as the risks involved.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form:
Ophthalmic- Intravitreal implant (eye implant) (U.S.)
Before Receiving This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must beweighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctorwill make. For ganciclovir, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to ganciclovir or acyclovir. Also tell your health careprofessional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as certainpreservatives.
Pregnancy?The ganciclovir eye implant has not been studiedin pregnant women. However, in animals, ganciclovir given by injection hascaused cancer and birth defects. Discuss these possible effects with yourdoctor.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether ganciclovir from an eyeimplant passes into breast milk. However, because ganciclovir given by injectionto animals has caused serious unwanted effects, it is recommended that breast-feedingbe stopped during treatment with this medicine.
Children?There is no specific information comparing use ofganciclovir eye implants in children younger than 9 years of age with usein other age groups.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof ganciclovir eye implants in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be used togetherat all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even ifan interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to changethe dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professionalif you are taking or using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of ganciclovir. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Blood problems or
- Eye infection?Surgery on the eye is not recommended
Precautions After Receiving This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progressat regular visits. This is to make sure the medicine is working properlyand to check for any problems from the surgery, implant, or medicine. Thiswill also help the doctor determine when all of the medicine in the implanthas been used up, so it can be removed.
You may notice blurred or decreased vision in the eye where the implanthas been placed. This is to be expected and will last for 2 to 4 weeks afterthe surgery to insert the implant into the eye. Tellyour doctor if the blurred or decreased vision gets worse, lasts for morethan 4 weeks, or gets better for a while and then gets worse again. Also,tell your doctor right away if any other changes in your vision occur.These may be signs of complications from the surgery.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine maycause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur,if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Also, ganciclovir has been found to cause cancerous tumors in animals.Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.
Check with your doctor as soon as possibleif any of the following side effects occur:
More common?Usually occur within the first 2 months after thesurgery
Decrease in vision (severe); seeingflashes or sparks of light; seeing floating spotsbefore the eyes, or a veil or curtain appearing across part of vision
Less common?Usually occur within the first 2 months after thesurgery
Blurred vision or other change in vision; decreased vision or other change in vision; eye painor tearing; red or bloodshot eye; sensitivity of eye to light
Rare?Usually occur within the first 2 months after the surgery
Other side effects may occur that usually do not needmedical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as yourbody adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the followingside effect continues or is bothersome:
Other side effectsnot listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any othereffects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 08/14/1998
Revised: 08/14/1998
