Ganciclovir

If a patient develops CMV, a serious infection that can cause blindness, as the result of a compromised immune system, he or she may be prescribed ganciclovir injections. This infection commonly occurs in people who have AIDS and in organ transplant recipients. The medication is infused into your veins over the course of 60 minutes once or twice a day. The medication controls the infection but does not cure it.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication can severely limit the number of blood cells your body produces, which can cause life-threatening illnesses. You may develop anemia from lack of red blood cells or other infections because your already-compromised immune system is further weakened by low white blood cell count. Serious symptoms of low blood cell count include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Pale skin
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Fast heartbeat
• Insomnia
• Breathing problems
• Signs of infection such as cold, cough, fever and chills