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