Cytovene Side Effects

Generic name: ganciclovir

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 23, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about ganciclovir. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Cytovene.

Applies to ganciclovir: powder for solution, solution.

Serious side effects of Cytovene

Along with its needed effects, ganciclovir (the active ingredient contained in Cytovene) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Medicines like ganciclovir can sometimes cause serious side effects such as blood problems; these are described below. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ganciclovir:

More common

For oral capsules and injection into the vein only

• Sore throat and fever
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Less common

For oral capsules and injection into the vein only

• Mood or other mental changes
• nervousness
• pain at place of injection
• skin rash
• tremor
• unusual tiredness and weakness

For injection into the eye only

• Decreased vision or any change in vision

Other side effects of Cytovene

Some side effects of ganciclovir may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to ganciclovir: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution, oral capsule.

General

The most commonly reported adverse events have included pyrexia, diarrhea, leukopenia, nausea, anemia, asthenia, headache, cough, dyspnea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and increased creatinine.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia (up to 41%), anemia (up to 26%), neutropenia (up to 26%)

Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bone marrow failure

Frequency not reported: Pancytopenia

Postmarketing reports: Hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia^[Ref]

During clinical trials for the treatment of CMV retinitis, neutropenia with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 500, between 500 and 749, and 750 to less than 1000 mcL, was reported in 25%, 14%, and 26% of patients, respectively. Anemia with hemoglobin less than 6.5, between 6.5 and less than 8, and 8 to less than 9.5 g/dL was reported in 5%, 16%, and 26% of patients, respectively.

During clinical trials among transplant recipients receiving this drug for CMV prevention, neutropenia with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 500, between 500 and 1000 mcL, and total ANC of 1000 mcL or less was reported in 4%, 3% and 7% of heart transplant recipients and 12%, 29%, and 41% of bone marrow transplant recipients, respectively. Thrombocytopenia with platelet counts less than 25,000 and between 25,000 and 50,000 mcL were reported in 3% and 5% and 32% and 25% of heart and bone marrow recipients, respectively. Total platelet count of 50,000 mcL or less was reported in 8% and 57% of heart and bone marrow recipients, respectively.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 44%), vomiting 13%

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, flatulence, esophageal candidiasis, dysphagia, dyspepsia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Mouth ulceration, abdominal distention, pancreatitis

Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal perforation, eructation, dry mouth, pancreatitis

Postmarketing reports: Intestinal ulcer^[Ref]

Renal

Elevated serum creatinine between greater than 1.5 and less than 2.5 mg/dL was reported in 14% of patients receiving 5 mg/kg/day for treatment of CMV retinitis; 2% experienced elevated serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL or greater.

Elevated serum creatinine between greater than 1.5 and less than 2.5 mg/dL was reported in 58%, 50%, and 43% of patients receiving this drug for CMV prevention in heart, and 2 bone marrow trials, respectively; 18%, 20%, and 0% experienced serum creatinine levels of 2.5 mg/dL or higher.^[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Elevated serum creatinine

Frequency not reported: Kidney failure, abnormal renal function, pleural effusion

Postmarketing reports: Renal tubular disorder, hemolytic uremic syndrome^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, hematuria

Postmarketing reports: Testicular hypertrophy^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reaction, allergic reaction^[Ref]

Ocular

Very common (10% or more): Retinal detachment (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Eye hemorrhage, macular edema, vitreous floaters, eye pain

Frequency not reported: Visual impairment, vitreous disorders, eye pain, conjunctivitis

Postmarketing reports: Cataracts, dry eyes^[Ref]

Retinal detachment has been observed both before and after initiation of therapy in patients with CMV retinitis; its relationship to therapy is unknown.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Tachycardia (16%), hypotension (11%)

Frequency not reported: Arrhythmias, chest pain, hypertension, phlebitis, vasodilation

Postmarketing reports: Cardiac arrest, conduction disorder, torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia, peripheral ischemia^[Ref]

Cases of ventricular tachycardia associated with ganciclovir infusions in patients with AIDS have been reported, although it is known that HIV infection is associated with myocarditis, decreased left ventricular function, and in some cases, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Hyperhidrosis (12%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, dermatitis, night sweats

Frequency not reported: Cellulitis, alopecia, dry skin, urticaria, rash, photosensitivity reaction

Postmarketing reports: Exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased alkaline phosphatase

Frequency not reported: Abnormal hepatic function tests, increased transaminases

Postmarketing reports: Cholelithiasis, cholestasis, hepatic failure, hepatitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral neuropathy, tremor, dizziness, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, seizures, dysgeusia

Frequency not reported: Somnolence

Postmarketing reports: Dysesthesia, dysphasia, extrapyramidal disorder, facial paralysis, amnesia, anosmia, myelopathy, cerebrovascular accident, third cranial nerve paralysis, aphasia, encephalopathy, intracranial hypertension, facial palsy^[Ref]

Endocrine

Postmarketing reports: Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, infertility^[Ref]

Local

Common (1% to 10%): Catheter infection, catheter sepsis, injection site inflammation,

other catheter related events

Frequency not reported: Injection site inflammation^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (14%), decreased blood magnesium (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased weight, anorexia

Frequency not reported: Hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia

Postmarketing reports: Acidosis, hypercalcemia, hyponatremia, increased blood triglycerides^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, myalgia, back pain, muscle spasms

Frequency not reported: Leg cramps, myasthenia

Postmarketing reports: Arthritis, rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Cough (16%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, sinus congestion, rhinitis, dyspnea

Frequency not reported: Upper respiratory infection

Postmarketing reports: Bronchospasm, pulmonary fibrosis^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (up to 48%)

Common (1% to 10%): Chills

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Deafness

Frequency not reported: Tinnitus, ear pain, fatigue, pain, malaise, asthenia, multiple organ failure

Postmarketing reports: Congenital anomaly, loss of sense of smell^[Ref]

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Sepsis (15%), infection (13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Mycobacterium avium complex

Frequency not reported: Candida infections, influenza

Postmarketing reports: Vasculitis^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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