TheraRadar
Data updated: Jun 28, 2026

FOSCARNET SODIUM · AMNEAL

Infectious Disease Approved 1991-09-27

Foscarnet sodium helps patients with AIDS who develop CMV retinitis, a viral infection that affects the eyes. It is used as a standalone therapy or in combination with ganciclovir for those who have relapsed after earlier treatments. This medication also treats herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections of the skin and mucous membranes in immunocompromised patients when the virus has become resistant to acyclovir.

Source: FDA Label

How FOSCARNET SODIUM Works

This drug works by selectively blocking the pyrophosphate binding site on viral DNA polymerases, which prevents the virus from replicating. It is unique because it does not require activation by enzymes like thymidine kinase and specifically targets viral processes without interfering with the patient's own cellular DNA production.

Source: FDA Label
7
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
34
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1991-09-27
Routes
INTRAVENOUS
Dosage Forms
SOLUTION

FOSCARNET SODIUM Approval History

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
10 FDA actions from 2005 to 2026
May 2026 ORIGINAL
Update
Mar 2024 ORIGINAL
Update
Nov 2023 ORIGINAL
Update

What FOSCARNET SODIUM Treats

2 indications

FOSCARNET SODIUM is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 2005. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
  • Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
Source: FDA Label

FOSCARNET SODIUM Boxed Warning

WARNING RENAL IMPAIRMENT IS THE MAJOR TOXICITY OF FOSCARNET SODIUM INJECTION. FREQUENT MONITORING OF SERUM CREATININE, WITH DOSE ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN RENAL FUNCTION, AND ADEQUATE HYDRATION WITH ADMINISTRATION OF FOSCARNET SODIUM INJECTION IS IMPERATIVE. (See ADMINISTRATION section; Hydration .) SEIZURES, RELATED TO ALTERATIONS IN PLASMA MINERALS AND ELECTROLYTES, HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH FOSCARNET SODIUM INJECTION TREATMENT. THEREFORE, PATIENTS MUST BE CAREFULLY MONITORED FOR SUCH CHANGES ...

FOSCARNET SODIUM Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to FOSCARNET SODIUM

3 of 4

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

CIDOFOVIR
CIDOFOVIR
1 shared
AVET LIFESCIENCES
Shared indications:
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
FOSCAVIR
FOSCARNET SODIUM
1 shared
CLINIGEN HLTHCARE
Shared indications:
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
GANCICLOVIR SODIUM
GANCICLOVIR SODIUM
1 shared
Hikma
Shared indications:
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis

AMNEAL's other novel FDA approvals

Other CDER-designated drugs from the same sponsor (2016–2025).

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Clinical Trial Registry

1 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT02151240 Focus-101 cttq-focus-101 Ph 4 completed Efficacy and Safety of Foscarnet Sodium and Sodium Chloride Injection in Patients With Herpes Zoster
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

FOSCARNET SODIUM FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

INDICATIONS CMV Retinitis Foscarnet sodium injection is indicated for the treatment of CMV retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Combination therapy with foscarnet sodium injection and ganciclovir is indicated for patients who have relapsed after monotherapy with either drug. SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF FOSCARNET SODIUM INJECTION HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR TREATMENT OF OTHER CMV INFECTIONS (e.g., PNEUMONITIS, GASTROENTERITIS); CONGENITAL OR NEONATAL CMV DISEASE; OR NONIMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS. Mucocutaneous Acyclovir Resistant HSV Infections Foscarnet sodium ...

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING RENAL IMPAIRMENT IS THE MAJOR TOXICITY OF FOSCARNET SODIUM INJECTION. FREQUENT MONITORING OF SERUM CREATININE, WITH DOSE ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN RENAL FUNCTION, AND ADEQUATE HYDRATION WITH ADMINISTRATION OF FOSCARNET SODIUM INJECTION IS IMPERATIVE. (See ADMINISTRATION section; Hydration .)...

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FOSCAVIR

Full clinical data, patents, trials, and competitive landscape for foscarnet sodium.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.