Ganciclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat CMV retinitis in people with immunosuppression caused by HIV or AIDS. Ganciclovir is also used to prevent CMV disease in people with immunosuppression due to an organ transplant.

Ganciclovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ganciclovir or valacyclovir.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• low blood cell counts; or
• radiation treatment.

Using ganciclovir may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancers. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Ganciclovir can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, do not use ganciclovir if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 30 days after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 90 days after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using ganciclovir.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because ganciclovir can harm an unborn baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breastfeed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Use Cytovene (Intravenous) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• a seizure; or
• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• fever, weakness, low blood cell counts;
• headache;
• cough, trouble breathing; or
• increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.