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Cymevene

Drug Name:

GANCICLOVIR 500mg Injection

Category:

International Brand: Cytovene/Vitrasert

Cytovene/Vitrasert

Details

Ganciclovir 500mg injection is a deoxy guanosine analogue antiviral drug. It is more effective than acyclovir in the same group of antiviral drugs.

Ganciclovir 500mg injection comes under antiherpetic drugs group in antiviral drugs.

It is mostly prescribed for severe cytomegalovirus(CMV) infections in immunocompromised patients. Also for prophylaxis treatment against CMV.

Mechanism of action : when ganciclovir gets activated by phosphorylation ,it competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase leading to ending of viral DNA elongation.

It is available as Ganciclovir 500mg single dose injection under the brand name of Cymevene in India. Cytovene and Vitrasert are international brands for the same.

 

USES

Ganciclovir 500mg injection, which is more effective than same group drug acyclovir,its is used in treatment of: :

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infections in AIDS patients like: CMV retinitis, colitis , esophagitis
  • All herpes viruses including simplex, H.zoster
  • E-b virus
  • Also given to protect from cytomegalovirus infections in organ transplant and immunocompromised patients as prophylaxis treatment
  • reduces hearing loss in infants infected with CMV.
  • Reduces risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma in AIDS patients.
  • Also with other antivirals it is used for better treatment

 

DOSAGE

  • Cymevene is a 500mg vial containing Ganciclovir 500mg powder which is mixed with 10ml water for infusion.
  • Cymevene is injected intravenously by healthcare professionals for over a time period of 12hours. And must be avoided as self medication.
  • For CMV retinitis treatment :Cytovene is inducted in doses of 5 mg/kg q12h × 14–21 days and Maintenance: 5 mg/kg/d or 6 mg/kg five times per week.
  • Dosage either for treatment or prophylaxis is determined by the doctor based on severity of infection, age and weight.
  • In renal disease patients’ dosages of Vitrasert are adjusted.
  • There are no special storage conditions required for Ganciclovir 500mg injection vials.

SIDE EFFECTS

Ganciclovir 500 Mg injection has severe systemic toxicity leading to:

  • Myelosuppression leading to thrombocytopenia, neutropenia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Rashes
  • Sweating
  • Fever
  • Insomnia
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • dose dependent kidney toxicity
  • Neuropsychiatric disturbances like convulsions, mental confusion
  • Rarely hepatic toxicity

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Due to adverse effects Cymevene injection is contraindicated in

  • Allergy to ganciclovir
  • Pre existingcytopenias
  • in patients already on myelosuppressive drugs
  • Breastfeeding mothers
  • Kidney diseases

 

Drug Interaction

Cymevene interact with

  • didanosine, imipenem/cilastatin
  • drugs used in cancer chemotherapy, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, zidovudine
  • cyclosporine

 

REVIEWS

  • Ganciclovir 500 Mg injection has less adverse effects and is more effective against CMV infections unlike acyclovir
  • Due to high systemic toxicity use of Cytovene is restricted to severe CMV infections in immunocompromised patients.

Vitrasert injection delays the progression of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients but doesn’t cure the infection.