Foscarnet Sodium

Warning and Precautions

• Contact with eyes and skin may be responsible for causing a burning sensation and local irritation. In case of accidental contacts, the exposed area must be rinsed promptly with the help of cold water.
• Foscarnet injection is not recommended for use in all those patients who are undergoing haemodialysis as dosage guidelines have not been established.
• Use foscarnet with caution in those with reduced renal function. Since renal function impairment may occur during foscarnet uses, monitor serum creatinine every second day during induction therapy and once in a week during maintenance therapy.
• To scale down the potential of renal function impairment, adequate hydration needs to be maintained in all patients. Renal function of those with renal disease or taking concomitant therapy with other nephrotoxic medicines must be closely assessed.
• Due to the existence of sodium content in Foscarnet medicine, avoid its use when a saline load is difficult to be tolerated (in cardiomyopathy). This should also be taken into consideration by all the respective patients who are on a controlled sodium diet.
• Specific caution is required in those with reduced calcium levels prior to treatment and in those with other drugs known to influence the serum calcium levels. Electrolytes, mainly magnesium and calcium, should be evaluated before and during foscarnet injection 24mg/mL in 250 mL therapy and deficiencies corrected.
• Patients with any known existing prolongation of cardiac conduction intervals, mainly QTc, in those with electrolyte disturbances (hypomagnesaemia, hypokalaemia, hyperkalaemia,), or bradycardia, as well as those with underlying cardiac diseases should be precisely monitored due to increased probability of ventricular arrhythmia.
• Seizures, associated with alterations in plasma minerals and electrolytes, have been linked with foscarnet therapy. Status epilepticus may occur. Therefore, carefully monitor patients for such changes and their potential sequelae. Mineral and electrolyte supplementation can be used.
• Foscarnet may be excreted in high concentrations in the urine and may be responsible for genital irritation and ulceration. To prevent irritation and/or ulceration, precise attention to personal hygiene is required and cleaning of the genital area after each micturition is required.
• Since there is no clinical experience or investigational findings available, Scarnet 24mg/mL in 250 mL should not be prescribed to pregnant women and during lactation.
• Women capable of childbearing must use apt and effective contraception methods during Scarnet therapy. Men treated with this medicine should not father a child throughout or up to 6 months after therapy.