Cidofovir is a medication used to manage a viral eye infection found in AIDS patients called cytomegalovirus retinitis. According to Drugs.com, cidofovir is an antiviral medication that reduces the growth of viral cells in the body. This medication is given intravenously every hour, weekly or every two weeks, according to MedlinePlus.
Routine Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, cidofovir can routinely cause nausea, vomiting, headaches and poor appetite. It can also cause lip or mouth sores, a skin rash, alopecia (hair loss), a cough and white patches on your mouth or lips. Other common side effects include joint pain, muscle pain, indigestion, coughing and constipation. Tell your doctor if you have these physical manifestations, and she may adjust your dosage to help ward off these effects.
Harmful Side Effects
MedlinePlus says that cidofovir can cause eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, visual problems and skin rashes. Cidofovir can also cause fever, body aches, chills, decreased urination, poor appetite, constipation and extreme thirst, according to Drugs.com. Talk to your doctor if you experience these effects. She will decide whether to discontinue this medication or switch you to a new one.
Other Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, cidofovir can also cause kidney problems, neutropenia (low white blood cells that make you susceptible to infections), decreased eye pressure or uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of your eyes). Cidofovir can also cause chest pain, facial edema (swelling), neck pain, sepsis (a blood infection) and photosensitivity (sensitivity to ultraviolet light). Other side effects include heart failure, low or high blood pressure, syncope (fainting), tachycardia (fast heartbeat), flatulence (gas), gastritis (stomach infection) and liver problems, such as hepatitis. Cidofovir may also cause high blood sugars, low or high potassium levels, depression, otitis media (ear infection) or kidney stones.
Additional Concerns
You should not take cidofovir if you are allergic to its ingredients. You may develop trouble breathing and swelling of your face or lips.
Cidofovir can also affect male fertility. Men who use cidofovir can father babies with birth defects, says Drugs.com.
Tell your doctor if you are taking pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, acyclovir or tretinoin. According to Drugs.com, these drugs can interact with cidofovir and cause the aforementioned side effects.
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