GANCICLOVIR (Intraocular route) - gan-SYE-kloe-veer.(Drug overview)

Brand names in the United States --

* Vitrasert

Dosage forms --

* Implant

Therapeutic classification: Antiviral

Pharmacologic classification: Viral DNA Polymerase Inhibitor

Chemical classification: Guanosine Nucleoside Analog

DESCRIPTION OF USE

Ganciclovir is an antiviral medicine that is used in an implant that is inserted into the eye during surgery. The ganciclovir implant is used to treat a serious condition called cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in persons who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ganciclovir will not cure this eye infection, but it may help to keep the symptoms from becoming worse.

After your eye has used up all the medicine in the implant (generally within 5 to 8 months), the implant is removed by surgery and, at the same time, another implant can be inserted.

The surgery, the implant containing this medicine, or the medicine itself may cause some serious side effects, including …