Valganciclovir (Page 8 of 9)

14.2 Pediatric Patients

Prevention of CMV in Pediatric Heart, Kidney, or Liver Transplantation: Sixty-three children, 4 months to 16 years of age, who had a solid organ transplant (kidney 33, liver 17, heart 12, and kidney/liver 1) and were at risk for developing CMV disease, were enrolled in an open-label, safety, and pharmacokinetic study of oral valganciclovir (valganciclovir for oral solution or tablets). Patients received valganciclovir once daily within 10 days after transplant until a maximum of 100 days post-transplant. The daily doses of valganciclovir were calculated at each study visit based on body surface area and a modified creatinine clearance [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

The pharmacokinetics of ganciclovir were similar across organ transplant types and age ranges. The mean daily ganciclovir exposures in pediatric patients were somewhat increased relative to those observed in adult solid organ transplant patients receiving valganciclovir 900 mg once daily, but were within the range considered safe and effective in adults [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. No case of CMV syndrome or tissue-invasive CMV disease was reported within the first six months post-transplantation.

Prevention of CMV in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: Fifty-seven children, 1 year to 16 years of age, who had a renal transplant and were at risk for developing CMV disease, were enrolled in an open-label tolerability study of oral valganciclovir (valganciclovir for oral solution or tablets). Patients received valganciclovir once daily within 10 days after transplant until a maximum of 200 days post-transplant. The daily doses of valganciclovir were calculated at each study visit based on body surface area and a modified creatinine clearance [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. No case of CMV syndrome or tissue-invasive CMV disease was reported within the first 12 months post-transplantation.

15 REFERENCES

  1. Brion LP, Fleischman AR, McCarton C, Schwartz GJ. A simple estimate of glomerular filtration rate in low birth weight infants during the first year of life: noninvasive assessment of body composition and growth. J of Ped 1986: 109(4): 698-707.
  2. NIOSH [2014]. NIOSH list of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings. By Connor TH, MacKenzie BA, DeBord DG, Trout DB, O’Callaghan JP, Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014-138 (Supersedes 2012-150).

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

Valganciclovir tablets, USP: Supplied as 450 mg, pink, film-coated biconvex oval tablets debossed with “VL” on one side and “450” on the other side. Each film-coated tablet contains 496.3 mg of Valganciclovir Hydrochloride, USP equivalent to 450 mg of Valganciclovir. Valganciclovir tablets, USP are supplied in bottles of 60 tablets with child-resistant closure (NDC 27241-158-60).

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION


Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).

Serious Adverse Reactions

Inform patients that valganciclovir may cause granulocytopenia (neutropenia), anemia, thrombocytopenia and elevated creatinine levels and that dose modification or discontinuation of dosing may be required. Complete blood counts, platelet counts, and creatinine levels should be monitored frequently during treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Pregnancy and Contraception

Inform females of reproductive potential that valganciclovir causes birth defects in animals. Advise them to use effective contraception during and for at least 30 days following treatment with valganciclovir. Similarly, advise males to use condoms during and for at least 90 days following treatment with valganciclovir [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].

Carcinogenicity

Advise patients that valganciclovir is considered a potential carcinogen [see Nonclinical Toxicity (13.1)].

Lactation

Advise mothers not to breast-feed if they are receiving valganciclovir because of the potential for hematologic toxicity and cancer in nursing infants, and because HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].

Infertility

Advise patients that valganciclovir may cause temporary or permanent female and male infertility [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

Impairment of Cognitive Ability

Inform patients that tasks requiring alertness may be affected including the patient’s ability to drive and operate machinery as seizures, dizziness, and/or confusion have been reported with the use of valganciclovir [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Use in Patients with CMV Retinitis

Inform patients that valganciclovir is not a cure for CMV retinitis, and they may continue to experience progression of retinitis during or following treatment. Advise patients to have ophthalmologic follow-up examinations at a minimum of every 4 weeks to 6 weeks while being treated with valganciclovir. Some patients will require more frequent follow-up.

Administration

Inform adult patients that they should use valganciclovir tablets, not valganciclovir for oral solution [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

Inform patients to take valganciclovir with food to maximize bioavailability.

All other trademark names are the property of their respective owners.

Marketed by:

Ajanta Pharma USA Inc.

Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

Made in India.

For more information, call Ajanta Pharma USA Inc. at 855-664-7744.

PATIENT INFORMATION


Valganciclovir ( val” gan sye’ kloe vir)

Tablets, USP

What is the most important information I should know about valganciclovir tablets?

Valganciclovir tablets can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Blood and bone marrow problems. Valganciclovir can affect the bone marrow lowering the amount of your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets and may cause serious and life-threatening problems.
  • Kidney failure. Kidney failure may happen in people who are elderly, people who take valganciclovir tablets with certain other medicines, or people who are not adequately hydrated.
  • Fertility problems. Valganciclovir may lower sperm count in males and cause fertility problems. Valganciclovir may also cause fertility problems in women. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
  • Birth defects. Valganciclovir tablets causes birth defects in animals. It is not known if valganciclovir causes birth defects in people. If you are a female who can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control during treatment with valganciclovir tablets and for at least 30 days after treatment. If you are pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider before starting treatment with valganciclovir tablets. If you are a female who can become pregnant, you should have a pregnancy test done before starting valganciclovir tablets.
    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with valganciclovir tablets.
    • Males should use condoms during treatment with valganciclovir tablets, and for at least 90 days after treatment, if their female sexual partner can become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about birth control.
  • Cancer. Valganciclovir causes cancer in animals and may potentially cause cancer in people.

Your healthcare provider will do regular blood tests during treatment with valganciclovir tablets to check you for side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your dose or stop treatment with valganciclovir tablets if you have serious side effects.
What is valganciclovir ?

Valganciclovir is a prescription antiviral medicine.

In adults, valganciclovir tablets are used:

  • to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in people who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When CMV virus infects the eyes, it is called CMV retinitis. If CMV retinitis is not treated, it can cause blindness.
  • to prevent CMV disease in people who have received a kidney, heart, or kidney-pancreas transplant and who have a high risk for getting CMV disease.

Valganciclovir does not cure CMV retinitis. You may still get retinitis or worsening of retinitis during or after treatment with valganciclovir tablets. It is important to stay under a healthcare provider’s care and have your eyes checked at least every 4 to 6 weeks during treatment with valganciclovir tablets.

In children, valganciclovir tablets or oral solution are used:

  • to prevent CMV disease in children 4 months to 16 years of age who have received a kidney transplant and have a high risk for getting CMV disease.
  • to prevent CMV disease in children 1 month to 16 years of age who have received a heart transplant and have a high risk for getting CMV disease.

It is not known if valganciclovir is safe and effective in children for prevention of CMV disease in liver transplant, in kidney transplant in infants less than 4 months of age, in heart transplant in infants less than 1 month of age, in children with AIDS who have CMV retinitis, and in infants with congenital CMV infection.

Do not take valganciclovir tablets if you have had a serious allergic reaction to valganciclovir, ganciclovir or any of the ingredients of valganciclovir tablets . See the end of this leaflet for a list of the ingredients in valganciclovir tablets.

Before you take valganciclovir tablets , tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have low blood cell counts
  • have kidney problems
  • are receiving hemodialysis
  • are receiving radiation treatment
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. See “What is the most important information I should know about valganciclovir tablets ?”
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if valganciclovir passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed if you take valganciclovir tablets.
    • You should not breastfeed if you have Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.
    • Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Valganciclovir and other medicines may affect each other and cause serious side effects.
Keep a list of your medicines to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

  • You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with valganciclovir.
  • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take valganciclovir tablets with other medicines.

How should I take valganciclovir tablets ?

  • Take valganciclovir tablets exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Your dose of valganciclovir tablets will depend on your medical condition.
  • Adults should only take valganciclovir tablets. Children may take either valganciclovir tablets or oral solution.
  • Take valganciclovir tablets with food.
  • Do not break or crush valganciclovir tablets. Avoid contact with your skin or eyes. If you come in contact with the contents of the tablet or oral solution, wash your skin well with soap and water or rinse your eyes well with plain water.
  • If you take too much valganciclovir tablets, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

What should I avoid during treatment with valganciclovir tablets?

Valganciclovir can cause seizures, dizziness, and confusion. You should not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how valganciclovir affects you.

What are the possible side effects of valganciclovir tablets?

Valganciclovir tablets may cause serious side effects, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about valganciclovir tablets?”

The most common side effects of valganciclovir tablets in adults include:

• diarrhea• fever • fatigue • nausea • shaky movements (tremors) • low white cell, red cell and platelet cell counts in blood tests• headache• sleeplessness• urinary tract infection• vomiting

The most common side effects of valganciclovir tablets in children include:

• diarrhea • fever • fatigue • nausea • shaky movements (tremors) • vomiting • low white blood cell counts in blood tests • headache

These are not all the possible side effects of valganciclovir tablets.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store valganciclovir tablets?

  • Valganciclovir tablets comes in a child-resistant package.
  • Store valganciclovir tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
  • Do not keep valganciclovir tablets that is out of date or that you no longer need.

Keep valganciclovir tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of valganciclovir tablets.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use valganciclovir tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give valganciclovir tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about valganciclovir tablets that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in valganciclovir tablets?

Active ingredient: valganciclovir hydrochloride

Inactive ingredients for tablets: microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, crospovidone, and stearic acid. The film-coating applied to the tablets contains hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red and iron oxide yellow.

This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

All other trademark names are the property of their respective owners.

Marketed by:

Ajanta Pharma USA Inc.

Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

Made in India.

Revised: 01/2022

For more information, call Ajanta Pharma USA Inc. at 855-664-7744.

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