Home Drug Guide Fomivirsen Sodium

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Fomivirsen Sodium

Brand Names Vitravene Preservative Free

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiviral agent

Pharmacological: Antisense oligonucleotide

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS

Mechanism of Action

Fomivirsen is an antisense oligonucleotide that binds to CMV mRNA, inhibiting viral gene expression and replication.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Repeated intravitreal injections of 230 mcg weekly until disease stabilization or relapse.

Pediatric: Not approved/established.

Geriatric: Use with caution; no specific dosing adjustments.

Renal Impairment: No specific guidance, but caution advised.

Hepatic Impairment: Not applicable.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Administered directly into the vitreous humor, bypassing systemic absorption.

Distribution: Localized to the eye; systemic distribution is minimal.

Metabolism: Degraded by nucleases in ocular tissues.

Excretion: Excreted within ocular tissues; systemic excretion is negligible.

Half Life: Approximately 55 days in ocular tissues.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to fomivirsen or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with active intraocular inflammation, or history of retinal detachment. Regular eye exams required.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Conjunctivitis (Frequent)
  • Inflammation or intraocular infection (Infrequent)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Retinal detachment (Rare)
  • Increased intraocular pressure (Rare)
  • Endophthalmitis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • No significant interactions reported.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and signs of ocular inflammation.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection
  • Impaired visual sensory planning

Implementation: Administer injections under sterile conditions; monitor ocular health post-injection.

Evaluation: Assess for improvements in vision or stabilization of retinitis, and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report any vision changes, eye pain, or excessive redness.
  • Attend scheduled follow-up appointments.
  • Avoid rubbing or applying pressure to the eyes after injections.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential for eye inflammation, retinal detachment, increased intraocular pressure.

Genetic Factors: Not applicable.

Lab Test Interference: None reported.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Local ocular toxicity, increased inflammation, or injury.

Treatment: Supportive care, ocular evaluation, and management of complications.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze.

Stability: Stable until the expiration date printed on the label when stored as directed.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.