foscarnet sodium hexahydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Direct-acting antiviral; phosphonic acid derivative
Administration
Slow intravenous infusion through a central or appropriately prepared peripheral line
Key monitoring
Kidney function, hydration and blood electrolytes require close monitoring
Sodium content
The infusion is high in sodium, which matters when salt or fluid intake must be restricted
What is foscarnet sodium hexahydrate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
CMV retinitis in people with AIDS.
Mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infection that is clinically unresponsive to aciclovir in immunocompromised people.
How does foscarnet sodium hexahydrate work?
Foscarnet directly blocks viral DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase, enzymes viruses use to copy genetic material. It does not require activation by viral thymidine kinase, so it may remain active against some herpes viruses resistant to medicines such as aciclovir.
foscarnet sodium hexahydrate preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 24 mg/mL
How to take foscarnet sodium hexahydrate
A doctor or nurse gives foscarnet as a slow intravenous infusion. It may be infused undiluted through a central vein; peripheral administration requires pharmacy dilution. Adequate hydration helps reduce kidney toxicity. Cleaning the genital area after urination helps reduce local irritation because substantial amounts leave the body in urine.
Do not interfere with the infusion or line.
Tell staff promptly about tingling, nausea, chest symptoms, or pain or swelling around the line.
If solution contacts the skin or eyes, rinse immediately with water.
foscarnet sodium hexahydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or reduced appetite
- Headache, dizziness or pins and needles
- Tiredness, weakness, fever or chills
- Rash or itching
- Kidney-function changes
- Low calcium, magnesium or potassium and other electrolyte disturbances
- Anaemia or reduced white blood cells
- Infusion-site pain, inflammation or thrombophlebitis
- Genital irritation or ulceration
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction or angioedema
- Blistering, peeling or widespread severe skin reaction
- Acute kidney injury or kidney failure
- Seizures, severe confusion or marked muscle twitching
- QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmia or torsade de pointes
- Severe electrolyte disturbance, including symptomatic hypocalcaemia
- Rhabdomyolysis or profound muscle weakness
- Sepsis or clinically important blood-cell suppression
foscarnet sodium hexahydrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited, and the selected UK product is not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnancy or plans for pregnancy require specialist discussion. Effective contraception is advised for women who could become pregnant and sexually active men during treatment and for six months afterwards.
foscarnet sodium hexahydrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown how much foscarnet enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. The selected product should not be used while breastfeeding; specialists must decide whether breastfeeding or foscarnet therapy should be withheld.
foscarnet sodium hexahydrate interactions
The clinical team should review all prescribed, non-prescription and complementary products before treatment.
Nephrotoxic medicines, including aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, ciclosporin, aciclovir, methotrexate and tacrolimus
Combined use can increase kidney toxicity and requires particularly close renal assessment.
Intravenous pentamidine
Combined use has caused renal impairment and symptomatic low calcium.
Ritonavir or saquinavir
Abnormal kidney function has been reported when these protease inhibitors were used with foscarnet.
Common questions about foscarnet sodium hexahydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What infections does foscarnet sodium hexahydrate treat in the UK?
The selected product is licensed for CMV retinitis in people with AIDS and aciclovir-unresponsive mucocutaneous HSV infection in immunocompromised people.
Why is it used when aciclovir has not worked?
It blocks viral polymerase directly and does not need activation by viral thymidine kinase, a pathway commonly involved in aciclovir resistance.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.