Drug information

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Cidofovir
Drug Class
Antiviral (Cytomegalovirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor)

What is cidofovir (injection)? What is cidofovir (injection)?

What is cidofovir (injection)?

Cidofovir (injection) is an antiviral prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV retinitis) in individuals with AIDS.

CMV retinitis can be an opportunistic infection (OI) of HIV. An OI is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as people with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems. To learn more about OIs, read the HIVinfo What is an Opportunistic Infection? fact sheet.

How is cidofovir (injection) used in people with HIV? How is cidofovir (injection) used in people with HIV?

How is cidofovir (injection) used in people with HIV?

The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV and/or the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV include recommendations on the use of cidofovir (injection) in people with HIV to:

Treat:

Prevent:

  • CMV retinitis from recurring

The recommended uses may not always be consistent with FDA-approved uses of cidofovir (injection). See the Adult and Pediatric Opportunistic Infection Guidelines for complete information on recommended uses of cidofovir (injection) in adults and children with HIV. Cidofovir (injection) may have other recommended uses not listed above.

What should I tell my health care provider before using cidofovir (injection)? What should I tell my health care provider before using cidofovir (injection)?

What should I tell my health care provider before using cidofovir (injection)?

Before using cidofovir (injection), tell your health care provider:

  • If you are allergic to cidofovir, probenecid, sulfonamides (sulfa medicines), or any other medicines.
  • About any medical conditions you have or have had, including kidney problems, neutropenia, and diabetes.
  • About any health conditions that may prevent you from receiving medicine by injection or infusion.
  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Cidofovir (injection) should not be used during pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider about the risks of using cidofovir during pregnancy.
  • If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. For mothers with HIV in the United States, the Guideline recommends speaking with your health care provider to discuss options for feeding your baby. Mothers with suppressed viral load have a less than 1% chance of transmitting HIV to their baby via their own milk. Although most medicines are safe to use while breastfeeding, some medicines should be avoided. Always let your health care provider know about all the medicines and supplements you are using before you start breastfeeding.
  • About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Cidofovir (injection) may affect the way other medicines or products work, and other medicines or products may affect how cidofovir (injection) works. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between cidofovir and the other medicines you take.

How should I use cidofovir (injection)? How should I use cidofovir (injection)?

How should I use cidofovir (injection)?

Cidofovir (injection) is administered by intravenous infusion and is usually given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic. Some people may use cidofovir (injection) at home. If you use cidofovir (injection) at home, your health care provider will teach you how to use the medicine. It is important that you use cidofovir (injection) exactly as your health care provider has instructed. If you do not understand how to use cidofovir (injection), ask your health care provider.

Some people may receive intralesional injections of cidofovir (injection directly into a lesion or affected area of the skin) given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic.

What side effects can cidofovir (injection) cause? What side effects can cidofovir (injection) cause?

What side effects can cidofovir (injection) cause?

Cidofovir (injection) may cause side effects that can be mild or serious. To learn about possible side effects of cidofovir (injection), see the FDA drug label or talk to your health care provider or pharmacist. Tell your health care professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some side effects.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or online.

How should cidofovir (injection) be stored? How should cidofovir (injection) be stored?

How should cidofovir (injection) be stored?

  • After cidofovir injection solution has been diluted in 0.9% (normal) saline, the diluted solution for intravenous infusion can be stored in a refrigerator, between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C), for up to 24 hours. Allow the diluted solution for intravenous infusion to come to room temperature before use.
  • Throw away cidofovir (injection) that is no longer needed or expired (out of date). Follow FDA guidelines on how to safely dispose of unused medicine. For information on disposing of needles and other sharps, please refer to these guidelines or ask your health care provider or pharmacist.
  • Keep cidofovir (injection) and all medicines out of reach of children.

Where can I find more information about cidofovir (injection)? Where can I find more information about cidofovir (injection)?

Where can I find more information about cidofovir (injection)?

Last Reviewed: October 2, 2025