Ganciclovir Injection

• Type: Antiviral medication

• Drug Class: Guanosine analog / Antiviral agent

• Form: Lyophilized powder or solution for intravenous (IV) infusion

How It Works

• Ganciclovir is phosphorylated inside infected cells to its active triphosphate form.

• It inhibits viral DNA polymerase, preventing viral DNA replication.

• This action stops the multiplication of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other herpesviruses.

Common Uses

Ganciclovir injection is mainly used for serious CMV infections, including:

• CMV retinitis in immunocompromised patients (e.g., HIV/AIDS)

• CMV pneumonia, colitis, or esophagitis in transplant recipients

• CMV prophylaxis after organ or bone marrow transplantation

• Treatment of severe infections caused by other herpesviruses (off-label, in select cases)

Advantages

• Highly effective against CMV compared to acyclovir

• Can be used as prophylaxis to prevent CMV disease in high-risk transplant patients

• Can later be switched to oral valganciclovir for long-term maintenance therapy

Possible Side Effects

Common:

• Bone marrow suppression (neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)

• Fever, fatigue

• Nausea, diarrhea

Serious / Important:

• Severe neutropenia (risk of life-threatening infections)

• Kidney toxicity (requires dose adjustment)

• CNS effects: confusion, seizures (rare)

• Potential reproductive toxicity (may cause infertility or birth defects)

Precautions

• Regular monitoring of blood counts is essential during therapy

• Adjust dose in renal impairment to avoid accumulation and toxicity

• Avoid use in pregnancy unless absolutely necessary (teratogenic potential)