Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. When your supply of this medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine.

This medicine should come with a patient information insert. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

It is important that you take this medicine with food. This is to make sure the medicine is fully absorbed into the body and will work properly.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

Be careful not to handle crushed or broken tablets. If you have contact with broken or crushed tablets or mixed oral liquid, wash your skin with soap and clear water. If the medicine gets into your eyes, rinse them with clear water.

If you are using the oral liquid, use the oral dispenser that comes with the package to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

If you are taking ganciclovir (Cytovene®) capsules before switching to valganciclovir (Valcyte®) tablets, the dose of your medicine may change. Although these medicines both treat the same problem, they are absorbed differently by your body. Make sure you understand the new directions for Valcyte® so you do not take too many tablets.

To get the best results, valganciclovir must be given for the full time of treatment. Also, this medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, valganciclovir must be taken on a regular schedule.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage forms (solution and tablets):
    • For treatment of CMV infection in the eyes:
      • Adults—At first, 900 milligrams (mg) (two 450 mg tablets) two times a day for 21 days. Then, your doctor may adjust your dose to 900 mg once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of CMV disease in transplant patients:
      • Adults who have received heart or kidney-pancreas transplant—900 milligrams (mg) (two 450 mg tablets) once a day starting within 10 days of transplantation until 100 days after transplantation.
      • Adults who have received kidney transplant—900 mg (two 450 mg tablets) once a day starting within 10 days of transplantation until 200 days after transplantation.
      • Children 4 months to 16 years of age who have received a kidney transplant—Dose given once a day starting within 10 days of transplantation until 200 days after transplantation is based on body size and creatinine clearance which must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually not more than 900 mg once a day.
      • Children 1 month to 16 years of age who have received a heart transplant—Dose given once a day starting within 10 days of transplantation until 100 days after transplantation is based on body size and creatinine clearance which must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually not more than 900 mg once a day.
      • Children younger than 4 months old who have received a kidney transplant—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children younger than 1 month old who have received a heart transplant—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the mixed oral liquid in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after 49 days through community take-back programs when available.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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