Valcyte

- This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
- People taking this medicine should have regular blood tests to check the levels of their blood components.
- If women who are taking this medicine, or who are partners of men taking this medicine, become pregnant, this medicine may cause the foetus to develop abnormally. For this reason, women taking this medicine should use effective contraception to avoid getting pregnant. Men taking this medicine should use barrier contraceptives, such as condoms, to prevent fathering a child both during, and for at least 3 months following treatment with this medicine.
- This medicine has the potential to cause cancer and birth defects. It may also inhibit sperm production in men, which may be temporary or permanent, and may suppress fertility in women. For this reason, this medicine should only be used when the benefits of treatment outweigh any possible risks. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- People with impaired kidney function should have their kidney function monitored while taking this medicine.
- This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents.
- The safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been studied in elderly people and those with impaired liver function.
- These tablets should not be broken or crushed. Due to their potential side effects any broken tablets should be handled with care - avoid direct contact with skin, eyes or mucous membranes such as the lining of the mouth or nose. If such contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water, rinse eyes thoroughly with sterile water, or plain water if sterile water is unavailable.
- People who are switching to this medicine from ganciclovir capsules should be aware that the dose of ganciclovir provided by valganciclovir tablets and ganciclovir capsules is not equivalent, and the medicines cannot be switched on a one-to-one basis. If you are switching from ganciclovir capsules to this medicine follow the dosing instructions you have been given carefully. If you are unsure about your dose seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Use with caution in

- Anaemia
- Decreased kidney function
- History of blood disorders that were caused by any other medication
- Low levels of a type of white blood cell (neutrophils) in the blood (neutropenia)
- Low white blood cell count (leucopenia)
- People receiving radiotherapy treatment
- Reduced platelet count in the blood

Not to be used in

- Allergy to ganciclovir, valganciclovir, aciclovir or valaciclovir
- Breastfeeding
- People undergoing haemodialysis

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been investigated. However, as it may be harmful to a developing foetus, women of child-bearing potential should use effective contraception while taking this medicine. The medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine may pass into breast milk, therefore mothers taking this medicine must not breastfeed. Discuss with your doctor.

Label warnings

- Take this medication with or after food.

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