Antimicrobials
Ganciclovir

Ganciclovir

None
N/A
$$$$

Spectrum of Activity

General Information

Treatment and prophylaxis of CMV disease in immunocompromised hosts

Laboratory

  • BMP & CBC weekly

Clinical

  • Mental status changes/seizures

  •  Hematuria reported in cases of overdose

Common

  •  Hematologic toxicity (neutropenia > thrombocytopenia) - reversible

  • Carcinogenic/teratogenic

Rare

  • Anemia

  • Rash

  • CNS toxicity (headache, seizure, confusion)

  • GI intolerance

  • Hepatotoxicity

Imipenem/cilastatin: increase risk of seizure when given with ganciclovir/valganciclovir;

Cyclosporine and Amphotericin B: enhanced nephrotoxic effects of cyclosporine and amphotericin B when co administered with ganciclovir/valganciclovir;

Mycophenolate: increased serum concentration of ganciclovir/valganciclovir when co-adminstered.

Teratogenic/carcinogenic - avoid direct skin and/or mucous membrane contact with gancoclovir solution

Antimicrobial class: Antiviral - Synthetic Guanine Analog

Pregnancy category: C

Average serum half life: 4 hours

Biliary penetration: Moderate

CSF penetration: Moderate/High

Lung penetration: Moderate

Urine penetration: High