Ganciclovir
- Valganiciclovir is its prodrug
- Ganiciclovir is administered intravenously or orally
- Used to treat
–
Cytomegalovirus infections (retinitis, pneumonia, and esophagitis)
May be used as
prophylaxis in In transplant recipients
- Can be used, but is not preferred, for:
–
Herpes Simplex Virus
–
Herpes Zoster Virus
–
Epstein-Barr Virus
– Human Herpes Virus 6
- Ganciclovir is a guanosine analogue that inhibits viral DNA synthesis
However, it is more toxic than acyclovir, and is associated with bone marrow suppression* and, as a result, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.
