Vistide

Maker:
Gilead

What it does:
Treats CMV retinitis

Traditional dosage:
Delivered by intravenous infusion, the initial dose depends on the patient’s weight, gender, and kidney function, with the latter measured by a test that determines how well the kidneys clear creatinine from the blood. Maintenance dose is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight, by infusion, once every two weeks

Drug interactions, precautions, & recommendations:
The anti-gout drug probenecid (brand name Benemid or Probalan) should be taken orally with each Vistide treatment. Retrovir should be temporarily discontinued or the dosage halved on the day of each Vistide infusion. Do not use with any drugs that have the potential to cause kidney toxicity. Do not take if you have high creatinine levels, as measured by creatinine clearance test.

Side effects:
Most serious: kidney toxicity, decreased interocular pressure Other: nausea, vomiting, fever