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Ganciclovir Disease Interactions

There are 3 disease interactions with ganciclovir.

Major

Ganciclovir (applies to ganciclovir) bone marrow suppression

Major Potential Hazard, High plausibility. Applicable conditions: Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

The use of ganciclovir is commonly associated with bone marrow toxicity. Neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia have been reported. Therapy with ganciclovir should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias or bone marrow suppression. Routine blood counts are recommended, and dosing adjusted or discontinued accordingly. Ganciclovir should not be used in patients with an absolute neutrophil count < 500/mcL or a platelet count < 25,000/mcL. Some neutropenic patients requiring ganciclovir may be candidates for granulocyte colony stimulating factor.

References

  1. Faulds D, Heel RC (1990) "Ganciclovir: a review of its antiviral activity, pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic efficacy in cytomegalovirus infections." Drugs, 39, p. 597-638
  2. SOCA Reseach Group, et al. (1992) "Mortality in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated with either foscarnet or ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus retinitis." N Engl J Med, 326, p. 213-20
  3. Sulecki M, Rosenfeld CS, Przepiorka D, et al. (1991) "Treatment of ganciclovir-induced neutropenia with recombinant human GM-CSF." Am J Med, 90, p. 401-2
  4. (2002) "Product Information. Cytovene (ganciclovir)." Genentech
View all 4 references
Major

Ganciclovir (applies to ganciclovir) renal dysfunction

Major Potential Hazard, High plausibility.

Ganciclovir is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Patients with renal impairment may be at greater risk for toxicity from ganciclovir due to decreased drug clearance. Therapy with ganciclovir should be administered cautiously in these patients at reduced dosages. Serum creatinine values should be monitored frequently, and the dosing further adjusted or discontinued accordingly.

References

  1. Sommadossi JP, Bevan R, Ling T, et al. (1988) "Clinical pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir in patients with normal and impaired renal function." Rev Infect Dis, 10, s507-14
  2. Lake KD, Fletcher CV, Love KR, et al. (1988) "Ganciclovir pharmacokinetics during renal impairment." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 32, p. 1899-900
  3. (2002) "Product Information. Cytovene (ganciclovir)." Genentech
Moderate

Ganciclovir (applies to ganciclovir) hemodialysis

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility.

Ganciclovir is substantially removed by hemodialysis. Plasma levels of ganciclovir have been shown to reduce by 50% following hemodialysis. Ganciclovir should be administered on non-dialysis days or following dialysis sessions.

References

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Cytovene (ganciclovir)." Genentech
  2. Swan SK, Munar MY, Wigger MA, Bennett WM (1991) "Pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir in a patient undergoing hemodialysis." Am J Kidney Dis, 17, p. 69-72

Ganciclovir drug interactions

There are 242 drug interactions with ganciclovir.

Ganciclovir alcohol/food interactions

There is 1 alcohol/food interaction with ganciclovir.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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

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