Cidofovir, Injection si-DOH-foh-veer

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiviral

Generic and brand names: cidofovir, injection; Vistide

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). It is used to treat cytomegalovirus (an eye infection) in people with AIDS. Probenecid must be taken by mouth while you are being treated with cidofovir.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• diabetes
• kidney disease

If you take zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir), you may need to stop taking it or reduce your dosage while receiving this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. Do not become pregnant during this treatment and for 1 month after the treatment is over. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need birth control. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

The infusions are given by your healthcare provider over several weeks. Your provider may want you to drink extra liquids while you are on this medicine.

Take the probenecid exactly as prescribed. Taking probenecid with food may reduce the nausea and vomiting.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine can damage your urinary system. You will need regular urine and blood tests to find out how this medicine affects you. You also need to have regular eye exams. Keep all your appointments for exams and tests.

Both males and females must use birth control during this treatment and for 1 to 3 months after you complete treatment. This medicine may also decrease sperm count in males. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine has caused cancer in animal studies. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of this medicine.

Do not stop this therapy without your healthcare provider's approval.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical treatment or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your mouth or tongue, trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Trouble urinating or painful urination; blood in the urine; any unexplained swelling; fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; eye pain or changes in vision; fast heartbeat.

Other: Weakness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, cough, nervousness, confusion, constipation.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. The probenecid that you must take with this medicine (cidofovir) is known to interact with many other medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• amphotericin B (Fungizone)
• antibiotics such as amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, penicillin, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), streptomycin, tobramycin, and vancomycin (Vancocin)
• antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), ganciclovir (Cytovene), ribavirin (Rebetol, and valacyclovir (Valtrex)
• aspirin or other salicylates
• benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium)
• immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), and tacrolimus (Prograf)
• methotrexate
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)
• other medicines to treat HIV such as foscarnet (Foscavir), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and zidovudine (AZT/Retrovir)
• pentamidine (Pentacarinat, NebuPent)
• sulfonamides such as sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), and sulfisoxazole

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.