What is Vitravene used for?

Vitravene is used to treat a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV can affect one or both eyes in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who cannot take other treatment(s) for CMV retinitis or who did not respond to other treatments for CMV retinitis. The diagnosis should be made after a comprehensive eye exam, including indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Warning(s) with Vitravene:

• Vitravene only works in the eye in which it is injected and does not treat CMV elsewhere in the body. Because CMV may be in other parts of your body and not only in your treated eye, your doctor will monitor you for CMV in the untreated eye or CMV elsewhere in your body (e.g. pneumonitis, colitis).

• Vitravene is not recommended if you have been treated within the last 2-4 weeks with cidofivir (VistideÒ ) because of the increased risk of eye inflammation.

General Precautions to take when on Vitravene:

• Vitravene is for eye(s) only.

• Vitravene is not a cure for CMV retinitis. CMV retinitis in some patients may get worse during or following Vitravene treatment. You should have regular eye exams by your ophthalmologist.

• Inflammation of the eye (uveitis) occurs in approximately one out of four patients being treated with Vitravene. This type of reaction is most common when starting treatment with Vitravene. Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the inflammation and may interrupt Vitravene treatment until the inflammation stops.

• Increased pressure in the eye has been reported as another common side effect of Vitravene injections. Your doctor should monitor the pressure in your eye(s) during each visit and treat the increase in pressure if necessary.

• If you are receiving Vitravene, you should have regular follow-up eye exams.

• HIV-infected patients should continue taking their prescribed antiretroviral medications, unless their doctor tells them otherwise.

There are some things that you should tell your doctor when taking this medication:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or if you are currently breast feeding.

What side effects can you expect when taking Vitravene? (This is only a partial list of side effects reported with Vitravene. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of possible side effects and drug interactions..)

The most common side effect is eye inflammation. This reaction is most common when starting Vitravene and may be treated by your doctor .

Other side effects that may relate to the eye(s) are:

• Abnormal vision
• Swelling around the eye
• Blurred vision
• Cataract
• Bleeding in and around the eye
• Decreased visual sharpness, clearness,
• Reduced color vision
• Eye pain
• Objects in the field of vision (floaters)
• Increased eye pressure
• Sensitivity to light
• Retinal detachment
• Swelling of the retina
• Bleeding of the retina
• Color changes of the retina

Additional non-eye related side effects might include:

• Stomach pain
• Low blood count
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Headache
• Infection
• Nausea
• Pneumonia
• Rash
• Inflammation of the sinuses
• Vomiting
• Liver or kidney problems
• Dehydration
• Sweating
• Flu-like symptoms
• Cough
• Chest pain

For more detailed information about Vitravene, ask your doctor.