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What is Ganciclovir
GanciclovirThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryGanciclovir is a medication used to treat infections caused by the Herpesvirus family, including cytomegalovirus. It is often used to treat complications of AIDS caused by cytomegalovirus. Ganciclovir is an analog of acyclovir, a drug that has been used to treat infections of the Herpesvirus family since the 1980s.
Vitrasertis the brand name
Ganciclovir Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Vitrasert
Ganciclovir
1996
11
Effectiveness
How Ganciclovir Affects PatientsGanciclovir is a drug used to treat viruses such as cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and varicella zoster virus. It works by preventing the virus from replicating by blocking the incorporation of DNA into the virus. This stops the virus from spreading to other cells and prevents it from causing more harm. Ganciclovir is chemically similar to acyclovir, and has been tested mainly on patients with cytomegalovirus infections.
How Ganciclovir works in the bodyGanciclovir stops the replication of viruses in the body. It works by targeting a virus enzyme called thymidine kinase. This enzyme converts ganciclovir into a form which can interfere with the virus's DNA production. It does this by replacing adenosine bases in the DNA strand, making it harder for the strand to stay together and preventing new DNA from forming. Ganciclovir is more effective than other drugs against viral DNA, and when it is removed, the virus can resume its replication.
When to interrupt dosage
The quantity of Ganciclovir is contingent upon the recognized disorder, including Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Cytomegalovirus Retinitis and Immunocompromised. The amount of dosage is contingent upon the method of delivery (e.g. Intravenous or Gel) as featured in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Keratitis, Herpetic
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
CMV colitis
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Cytomegalovirus Infections
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
HIV
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Herpes zoster disease
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Immunocompromised
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Cytomegalovirus gastroesophagitis
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
varicella-zoster virus acute retinal necrosis
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Cytomegalovirus Infections
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Cytomegalovirus
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
Capsule, Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Implant - Intravitreal, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intraventricular
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Ganciclovir.Common Ganciclovir Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Abemaciclib
Major
The excretion of Abemaciclib can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Procainamide
Major
The excretion of Procainamide can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Topotecan
Major
The excretion of Topotecan can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Aclidinium
Minor
Ganciclovir may decrease the excretion rate of Aclidinium which could result in a higher serum level.
Acrivastine
Minor
Ganciclovir may decrease the excretion rate of Acrivastine which could result in a higher serum level.
Ganciclovir Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lowest dose of the drug that was toxic to mice when taken orally was greater than 2g/kg and for dogs intravenously was greater than 150mg/kg. Overdosing on this drug can lead to long-term low blood cell counts, worsening gastrointestinal symptoms, and kidney damage. This drug is suspected to be a cancer-causing agent.
Ganciclovir Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Ganciclovir?
142 active studies are presently analyzing the potential of Ganciclovir to treat Cytomegalovirus Retinitis, Cytomegalovirus Infections and Cytomegalovirus gastroesophagitis.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Immunocompromised
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1
Cytomegalovirus Infections
0 Actively Recruiting
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
2 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 3
HIV
147 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Cytomegalovirus
0 Actively Recruiting
varicella-zoster virus acute retinal necrosis
0 Actively Recruiting
Cytomegalovirus gastroesophagitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
5 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Not Applicable
Cytomegalovirus Infections
6 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable
Keratitis, Herpetic
0 Actively Recruiting
CMV colitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Herpes zoster disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Ganciclovir Reviews: What are patients saying about Ganciclovir?
4Patient Review
12/19/2009 I've been taking this medication for twelve years now with zero negative side effects. I find your review to be fearmongering and incomplete, which does a disservice to those who might benefit from this drug.
1Patient Review
12/11/2007Patient Q&A Section about ganciclovir
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What class of drugs is ganciclovir?
"This medication belongs to a group of drugs known as antivirals. These drugs work by inhibiting the growth of the CMV virus or preventing it from spreading."
Answered by AI
Is ganciclovir an antibiotic?
"It is generally used to treat CMV retinitis in people with AIDS and is the treatment of choice for CMV pneumonia, CMV encephalitis, andaneous CMV infection
Ganciclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, such as CMV retinitis in people with AIDS, CMV pneumonia, CMV encephalitis, andaneous CMV infection."
Answered by AI
Is ganciclovir a chemo drug?
"Ganciclovir is the only antiviral drug that has been shown to reduce the risk of CMV infection or disease after most types of major transplantation."
Answered by AI
What is ganciclovir used to treat?
"Ganciclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat infections caused by viruses. It is specifically used to treat the symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the eyes in people whose immune system is not working properly, such as patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)."
Answered by AI