Foscarnet : Before Using - Foscavir, phosphonoformic acid, PFA

Foscarnet - Systemic

Brand Names

Foscavir, phosphonoformic acid, PFA Foscarnet *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For foscarnet, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to foscarnet. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Foscarnet has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pets have shown that foscarnet causes birth defects. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether foscarnet passes into the breast milk. Although most medication pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be using safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this drug and who wish to breast-feed must discuss this with their family doctor.

Use for Children

There is no special info comparing use of foscarnet in child with use in other age groups. Foscarnet can cause serious side effects in any patient. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with the child's family doctor the good that this drug may do as well as the chance of using it.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of foscarnet in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases 2 various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking foscarnet, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Carmustine - BiCNU
Cisplatin - Platinol
Combination pain drug containing acetaminophen and aspirin - Excedrin or other salicylates - with large amounts taken regularly
Cyclosporine - Sandimmune
Deferoxamine - Desferal - with long-term use
Gold salts - drug for arthritis
Inflammation or pain drug, except narcotics,
Lithium - Lithane
Methotrexate - Mexate
Other anti-infectives - amphotericin B
Penicillamine - Cupramine
Plicamycin - Mithracin
Streptozocin - Zanosar
Tiopronin - Thiola Use of these medication may increase the risk of side effects effecting the kidneys

Pentamidine - Pentam Use of pentamidine injection with foscarnet may lower the level of important minerals - calcium and magnesium in the blood; it may also increase the risk of side effects effecting the kidneys

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of foscarnet. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Anemia Foscarnet may cause or worsen anemia

Dehydration
Kidney disease Patients who are dehydrated or have kidney disease may have an increased risk of side effects