Ganciclovir
Generic Name:
Ganciclovir
Ganciclovir Description:
Ganciclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, an eye infection that can occur in people with weakened immune systems, including those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ganciclovir is also approved to prevent CMV infection in people who have had a recent kidney, heart, or kidney-pancreas transplant and are at a high risk for CMV.
Ganciclovir Side Effects:
The most common side effects of ganciclovir include diarrhea, loss of appetite, sweating, and vomiting.
For more information, see our ganciclovir side effects page.
Ganciclovir Uses:
Ganciclovir is not a cure for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, but it may help slow the growth of CMV virus in the body.
CMV retinitis is a common type of viral inflammation of the retina of the eye, but the condition usually produces no symptoms. In people with weakened immune systems, such as patients with AIDS, CMV retinitis can produce symptoms of blind spots, blurred vision, decreased vision, floaters, and loss of peripheral vision. The condition can lead to blindness in four to six months.
Ganciclovir can treat symptoms of CMV retinitis and protect eyesight in patients who are already infected with the virus, as well as prevent infection in high-risk patients for up to six months after a heart, kidney, or kidney-pancreas transplant.
Ganciclovir Interactions:
Tell your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription medications you may be taking along with ganciclovir, including vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. The following drugs may interact with this medication:
- Amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet)
- Antibiotics
- Antiviral medications such as acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), or foscarnet (Foscavir), Didanosine (Videx), zalcitabine (HIVID), or xidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)
- Blood thinners such as warfarin
- Cancer chemotherapy medications
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Dapsone
- Diuretics
- Flucytosine (Ancobon)
- Foscarnet (Foscavir)
- Heparin
- Imipenem
- Immune globulin (Carimmune, Gammagard)
- Immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf)
- Interferons
- Methicillin (Staphcillin)
- Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)
- Nitrates
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- Pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam)
- Probenecid (Benemid, Probalan)
- Pyrimethamine (Daraprim, Fansidar)
- Rifampin (Rifadin)
- Steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron) and prednisone (Deltasone)
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)
- Zidovudine
Ganciclovir Dosage Information:
Typical Dosage Recommendations
Ganciclovir dosages may vary among patients. Your doctor will establish the size and frequency of your dosage according to your individual needs. It is important to follow the guidelines established by your doctor.
Ganciclovir doses are taken daily for a total of either five or seven days each week.
Missing a Dose of Ganciclovir
If you miss a dose of ganciclovir, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and wait to return to your regular dosing schedule.
Ganciclovir Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medication. Signs of overdose may include decreased urination, severe diarrhea, and vomiting.
Ganciclovir FDA Approval:
June 27, 2003
Ganciclovir Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
There is a Black Box warning on ganciclovir concerning the associated risk of low white blood cell levels, low platelet levels, and anemia. Ganciclovir is only approved to treat CMV retinitis in patients with a weakened immune system or to prevent CMV retinitis in high-risk transplant patients.
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September 7, 2010, 9:59 am
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