Foscarnet sodium
Consumer Medicine Information
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common questions about . It does not contain all the information that is known about . It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What is FOSCAVIR used for
Foscavir is used to treat infections caused by two viruses, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex.
These viruses infect different parts of the body and are most serious if your body's natural defences to fight disease are low (immunocompromised).
Your doctor will have explained what type of infection you have and where it is.
Foscavir belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals.
It is injected into the body where it interferes with the way viral cells reproduce themselves and stops them increasing in number.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another use.
Foscavir is not addictive.
It is only available with a doctor's prescription.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of Foscavir in children.
Before you are given FOSCAVIR
When you must not be given it
Do not use Foscavir if you have an allergy to :
foscarnet
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives of the skin
Tell your doctor before you are given Foscavir if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed.
Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Foscavir during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
We do not know if it is safe for you to use it while you are pregnant. It may affect your baby if you are given it early in pregnancy or in the last weeks before your baby is due.
We do not know whether your baby can absorb Foscavir from breast milk.
Foscavir should not be given to children.
Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
You must not be given Foscavir whilst using intravenous pentamidine.
You must not be given Foscavir while you are on haemodialyis.
There is insufficient information on the use of Foscavir in patients undergoing haemodialysis.
If you are not sure whether you should be given Foscavir, talk to your doctor or nurse or pharmacist.
Before you start to use it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
any kidney disease
low calcium level
It may not be safe for you to use Foscavir if you have these conditions.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Foscavir may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines used to treat infections such as intravenous pentamidine, amphotericin or aminoglycoside antibiotics
medicines to treat high blood pressure such as diuretics, e.g. frusemide
medicines used to assist patients with transplants such as cyclosporin
These medicines may be affected by Foscavir or may affect how well it works.
Your doctor or pharmacist or nurse has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being given this medicine.
How is FOSCAVIR given
Foscavir will be diluted with glucose 5% or normal saline, then injected slowly into a vein in your arm or leg by your doctor or nurse.
If you are in hospital, it may be injected into a major vein where it does not need to be diluted.
The dosage you will be given will depend on your body size, the infection you are being treated for, and how well your kidneys work.
The initial course of treatment is over 2-3 weeks.
If you take too much (Overdose)
The doctor giving you Foscavir will be experienced in its use, so it is unlikely that you will be given an overdose.
However, if you are particularly sensitive to Foscavir, or you are given too much you may get tingling or a numb feeling like "pins and needles", dizziness, fits or seizures.
While you are given FOSCAVIR
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are being given Foscavir.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are being given this medicine.
Drink plenty of water while you are being given Foscavir.
You may notice changes in frequency or amount of urine while you are on Foscavir treatment. Drinking plenty of water makes kidney problems like these less likely. Any problems with your kidneys will usually return to normal when treatment is stopped.
Keep Foscavir solution and your urine away from your skin.
Foscavir is very irritating to the skin. As most of the drug is removed from the body in your urine, you should take special care to wash and dry yourself well after going to the toilet.
Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about these possibilities if you think they may bother you.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Foscavir affects you.
This medicine may cause dizziness, tiredness and fits or seizures in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given Foscavir.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
constipation
stomach pain
tiredness
headache
skin rash
skin ulcers on your penis
decreased appetite
fever
chills
depression
nervousness
confusion
anxiety/nervousness
agitation
aggressive reactions
anorexia
fast or irregular heart beats
These can be mild to severe side effects.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
tingling or numb feeling like "pins and needles"
dizziness
muscle weakness
fits or seizures
an increase or decrease in the amount of urine.
These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention
Tell your doctor or nurse or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.
After using FOSCAVIR
Foscavir is stored in the pharmacy or ward. It is kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C.
Disposal
Any Foscavir solution which is not used, will be disposed of in a safe manner by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Product description
Each Foscavir solution for injection contains foscarnet sodium 24 mg/mL as the active ingredient, plus
Hydrochloric acid
Water for Injections in pack sizes of 250 mL.
Manufacturer
AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
ABN 54 009 682 311
Alma Road
NORTH RYDE NSW 2113
This leaflet was prepared in March 2006.
Australian Registration Numbers
Foscavir AUST R 37310
® Foscavir is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
