MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Department of Pharmacy

Department of Nursing

Critical Care

Generic Name: Ganciclovir, DHPG
Trade Name: Cytovene
Action: Antiviral
Indications: - Treatment of cytomegalovirus infections including retinitis, pneumonitis, GI infections, hepatobiliary infections and other cmv viremia

- Prevention of cytomegalovirus disease in transplant patients

Administration Guidelines:
Usual Dosage Range and Route: Active Disease: Induction: 5 mg/ kg every 12 hours for 14-21 days

Maintenance: 5 mg/ kg once daily

Prophylaxis: 5 mg/ kg every 12 hours for 7 - 1 4 days

EACH DOSE SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED OVER 1 HOUR

Standard Concentrations: TOTAL DAILY DOSE MIXED IN Dextrose 5% in WATER 250 ml
Maximum Concentration: 500 mg / Dextrose 5% in Water 100 ml
Special Considerations: - Ganciclovir should be handled as a chemotherapeutic agent

- Dosage reduction required in renal insufficiency

- New orders will be given a start time of 10 am

- Adverse reactions may be alleviated by dosage reductions or temporary interruption of therapy

- Infectious disease consult's name must be included with order

Precautions and Side Effects: - Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia

- Headache, confusion

- Transient alterations of liver function tests

- Phlebitis, inflammation and pain at infusion site.

 

 

Rev:9/00