Ganciclovir

KEY POINTS

• Ganciclovir (Cytovene) is an antiviral medication most commonly used to treat or prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Works by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis
• US black-box warnings include (1) blood dycrasias and (2) carcinogenic/teratogenic effects
• Beware fever, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia and the many other adverse effects associated with ganciclovir
• When a patient can tolerate oral medications, be sure to consider a switch from IV ganciclovir to PO valganciclovir (Valcyte)
• Adjust doses for kidney dysfunction
• Beware preparation precautions, which includes compounding it in a vertical flow hood

RESOURCES

• Ganciclovir Intravenous Package Insert
• Cytomegalovirus in solid organ transplantation
• Ganciclovir Information From AIDSinfo.org