Valganciclovir Oral Solution

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Headache.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Belly pain.
• Hard stools (constipation).
• Not able to sleep.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Not hungry.
• Weight loss.
• Back pain.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Muscle spasm.
• Dizziness.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

• Store liquid (solution) in a refrigerator. Throw away any part not used after 7 weeks.
• Do not freeze.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

VALGANCICLOVIR (val gan SYE kloh veer) is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat or prevent infections caused by certain kinds of viruses. It is commonly used to treat and prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections of the eye and body.

This drug also comes in other forms, including Oral tablet

This drug can cause serious side effects. See which side effects you should report to your doctor right away.

Know how to use your medication, and learn what might happen if you miss a dose.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions.

Know what to watch for and get tips for reducing your risks while taking this drug.

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• changes in vision
• dizziness, lightheaded
• fever or chills, sore throat
• hallucination, loss of contact with reality
• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
• seizures
• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):

• constipation
• cough or runny nose
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• stomach pain
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

• adriamycin
• amphotericin B
• certain medicines for HIV like didanosine, zidovudine
• dapsone
• flucytosine
• imipenem; cilastatin
• pentamidine
• probenecid
• sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Do not touch the solution with bare hands. Wash skin with soap and water if the solution touches your skin.

Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 month for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease
• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ganciclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or fluids daily while taking this medicine to help prevent side effects.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. If you are a female who can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control during treatment with and for at least 30 days after treatment. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

Men should not father a child while taking this medicine. Men should use a condom during sexual contact with a female partner who might become pregnant during, and for at least 90 days after, treatment. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

Keep out of the reach of children.

After this medicine is mixed by your pharmacist, store it in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after 49 days.