Can ganciclovir be given orally?
Conclusions: Oral ganciclovir is safe and effective as maintenance therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis and is more convenient for patients to take than intravenous ganciclovir.
What is ganciclovir used for?
Ganciclovir is an antiviral. It is used to treat infections caused by viruses. Ganciclovir is used to treat the symptoms of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the eyes in people whose immune system is not working fully. This includes patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
How do you take ganciclovir?
It is usually taken with food three to six times a day.To help you remember to take ganciclovir, take it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ganciclovir exactly as directed.
What virus does ganciclovir treat?
Ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir are antiviral drugs approved for use against cytomegalovirus (CMV) in adults by the US Food and Drug Administration. They have a broad spectrum of antiviral activity and are accordingly used for treatment of other viral infections, including herpes simplex viruses.
What is the difference between acyclovir and ganciclovir?
Ganciclovir is a nucleoside analog of 2-deoxyguanosine, similar to acyclovir. Despite its structural similarities with acyclovir, ganciclovir is much more active in vitro against CMV than acyclovir. Ganciclovir inhibits all herpesviruses, including CMV, by preventing DNA elongation.
How long does it take ganciclovir to work?
Reduced white blood cells: Ganciclovir can cause low levels of white blood cells. This usually happens within 1 to 2 weeks of starting treatment.
Is ganciclovir an antibiotic?
Ganciclovir, sold under the brand name Cytovene among others, is an antiviral medication used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.
How effective is ganciclovir?
Ganciclovir prophylaxis A major successful use of ganciclovir has been prophylactic or preemptive treatment of CMV disease in transplant recipients. Without preventive CMV therapy, 30%-75% of transplant recipients develop CMV infection, and 8%-30% develop CMV disease.
How long do you take ganciclovir?
The usual dose of intravenous ganciclovir for the initial treatment of CMV is 5 mg / kg every 12 hours for 14 to 21 days. To prevent a relapse of CMV, the usual dose is 5 mg / kg once daily every day of the week, or 6 mg / kg once daily 5 days a week.
Is ganciclovir toxic?
Ganciclovir is known to have hematological toxicity, neurotoxicity, and possibly hepatotoxicity (21). Hematological toxicity has been characterized in vitro on normal human hematopoietic progenitor cells.
What is the brand name for ganciclovir?
Cytovene (ganciclovir) is an antiviral drug used to treat and prevent infections caused by cytomegalovirus.
What type of drug is ganciclovir?
Cytovene (ganciclovir) is an antiviral drug used to treat and prevent infections caused by cytomegalovirus. This infection usually occurs in patients who have suppressed immune systems such as patients with AIDS and organ transplant patients. Cytovene is available in generic form.