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Overview: Ganciclovir is used to prevent or treat infection caused by a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV). It prevents the virus from multiplying in the body by disrupting its ability to create DNA. The most common side effects are fever, diarrhea, and nausea. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked because this medicine can lower your blood cell counts and cause kidney damage. Ganciclovir is an injection given into a blood vessel, usually by a healthcare provider.

Uses

What is ganciclovir used for?

Ganciclovir is commonly used for the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in people who have received transplants and for the treatment of CMV retinitis, a viral eye infection, in people with AIDS.

Ganciclovir may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Viruses in some locations may have developed resistance to ganciclovir, which will make it not work as well.

Ganciclovir may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does ganciclovir work (mechanism of action)?

Ganciclovir prevents the cytomegalovirus from multiplying in the body by disrupting its ability to create DNA. 

How is ganciclovir supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Cytovene
  • Ganzyk-RTU

Dosage forms and strengths

Ganciclovir is available in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider.

How should I store ganciclovir?

Ganciclovir is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store ganciclovir at home, follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of ganciclovir?

The most common side effects of ganciclovir are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Fever
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Nausea
  • Feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating more than normal (hyperhidrosis)
  • Sepsis
  • Elevated creatinine levels 

There may be other side effects of ganciclovir that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of ganciclovir?

While less common, the most serious side effects of ganciclovir are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ganciclovir may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using ganciclovir and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Disorders. Ganciclovir can cause blood disorders, such as anemia, low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), low neutrophil levels (neutropenia), and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia). Stop using ganciclovir and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using ganciclovir. People who are dehydrated, 65 years of age or older, or taking certain medicines are at greater risk of having kidney damage while receiving ganciclovir. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Cancer. Ganciclovir may cause a new cancer to develop or cause a previously treated cancer to recur. Tell your healthcare provider about any new symptoms that you may get.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use ganciclovir?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use ganciclovir.

  • Ganciclovir
  • Valganciclovir
  • Acyclovir
  • Cytovene
  • Ganzyk-RTU
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific ganciclovir products they stock.

What should I know about ganciclovir before using it?

Ganciclovir is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. 

You should stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids while using ganciclovir.

Keep all follow up-appointments while you are being treated with ganciclovir. Your healthcare provider may need to monitor your bloodwork. If you are being treated for an eye infection, your healthcare provider may need to check your eyes regularly.

Women of childbearing age should use effective birth control during treatment with ganciclovir and for at least 30 days after finishing treatment. Men should use barrier contraception (such as a condom) during treatment with ganciclovir and for at least 90 days after finishing treatment.

Ganciclovir may cause temporary or permanent fertility problems (infertility) in men and women, which can make it more difficult to have a baby.

Ganciclovir can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how ganciclovir affects you.

People who are 65 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from ganciclovir. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ganciclovir?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if ganciclovir is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Low white blood cell levels 
  • Low neutrophil levels 
  • Low red blood cell levels 
  • Low platelet levels 
  • Any condition being treated with radiation, such as cancer
  • Kidney problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Ganciclovir may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using ganciclovir, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how ganciclovir could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Ganciclovir causes birth defects in animals and may also cause birth defects in humans. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if ganciclovir passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use ganciclovir while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does ganciclovir interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between ganciclovir and foods or drinks.

There are no known interactions between ganciclovir and alcohol, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. 

Does ganciclovir interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using ganciclovir.

  • Zidovudine (Retrovir), which is a medicine used to treat HIV
  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout 
  • Imipenem-cilastin (Primaxin) or sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim), which is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept, Myfortic, Myhibbin), or tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Envarsus XR, Prograf), which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
  • Amphotericin B (Abelcet, AmBisome, Fungizone) or flucytosine (Ancobon), which is a medicine used to treat fungal infections
  • Dapsone, which is a medicine used to treat leprosy and dermatitis herpetiformis
  • Pentamidine (Pentam), which is a medicine used to treat Pneumocystis pneumonia
  • Doxorubicin (Doxil), vincristine, or vinblastine, which are medicines used to treat some cancers
  • Hydroxyurea (Xromi, Hydrea, Syklos), which is a medicine used to treat sickle cell disease and some cancers

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with ganciclovir. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much ganciclovir?

If you or someone else has used too much ganciclovir, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ganciclovir?

Ganciclovir is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital. Your healthcare provider will make sure you are receiving ganciclovir as scheduled.

If you miss an appointment to get your ganciclovir dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.