Cidofovir (Cidofovir)
Overview of Cidofovir
Cidofovir is a nucleoside analogue, active against herpesviruses. Cidofovir is used in the treatment of CMV (cytomegalovirus) retinitis in AIDS patients. When phosphorylated acts both as a potent inhibitor or as an alternative substrate for viral DNA polymerase, competitively inhibiting DNA synthesis and becoming incorporated into the viral DNA chain.
Indication of Cidofovir
Cidofovir is primarily indicated in conditions like Cytomegalovirus retinitis, Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Galactorrhoea, Hypogonadism, Infertility.
Contraindication of Cidofovir
Cidofovir is contraindicated in conditions like Breast feeding.
Side Effects of Cidofovir
The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Cidofovir are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Alopecia, Fever, Asthenia, Nausea and vomiting, Iritis, Decreased intra-ocular pressure.
Precautions of Cidofovir
Cidofovir should be given with extreme caution in renal impairment, monitorrenal function (serum creatinine and urinary protein) and neutrophil count within 24 hours before each dose; co-treatment with probenecid and prior hydration with I/V fluids necessary to minimize potential nephrotoxicity; diabetes mellitus (increased risk of ocular hypotonicity). NEPHROTOXICITY: Do not initiate treatment in renal impairment (assess creatinine clearance and proteinuria); discontinue treatment and hydrate with I/V fluids if detrioration of renal function occurs. OCULAR DISORDERS: regular opthalmological preparations recommended; iritis and uveitis have been reported which may respond to a corticosteroid with or without a cycloplegic drug-----discontinue cidofovir if no response to atopical corticosteroid or if condition worsens, or if iritis or uveitis recurs after successful treatment.