Is ganciclovir the same as valganciclovir?
Valganciclovir, an oral prodrug that is rapidly converted to ganciclovir, also plays a major role in the treatment and prevention of CMV infections in immunocompromised hosts. An overview of the basic pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicities of ganciclovir and valganciclovir will be discussed here.
Is valcyte the same as valganciclovir?
No, although the two medications may look and sound very similar, they are not the same and are not interchangeable. Valcyte (valganciclovir) is used for the treatment and prevention of CMV, whereas valacyclovir is typically used to treat herpes virus infections.
Is ganciclovir a Myelosuppressive?
The major toxicity of ganciclovir is myelosuppression, with dose-limiting neutropenia occurring in approximately 16% and thrombocytopenia in 5% of AIDS patients.
What drug class is valganciclovir?
Valganciclovir is in a class of medications called antivirals. It works by preventing the spread of CMV disease or slowing the growth of CMV.
How is ganciclovir administered?
Caution: Ganciclovir must be administered by intravenous infusion over 1 hour at a concentration not exceeding 10 mg/mL. Do not administer by rapid or bolus intravenous injection because the resulting excessive plasma levels may increase the toxicity of ganciclovir.
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.
What is the brand name for ganciclovir?
Ganciclovir, sold under the brand name Cytovene among others, is an antiviral medication used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.
What is half life of valganciclovir?
(valganciclovir HCl tablets) In CMV-infected cells ganciclovir is initially phosphorylated to ganciclovir monophosphate by the viral protein kinase, pUL97. Further phosphorylation occurs by cellular kinases to produce ganciclovir triphosphate, which is then slowly metabolized intracellularly (half-life 18 hours).
How do you infuse ganciclovir?
Is ganciclovir cytotoxic?
Administration IV ganciclovir is a cytotoxic agent. Follow full cytotoxic precautions as per local policy. IV infusion over 30 minutes with a syringe pump. Central line is preferred as medication has high pH and can cause tissue irritation.
How do you make valganciclovir?
Following induction treatment, or in patients with inactive CMV retinitis, the recommended dose is 900 mg valganciclovir once daily….Prevention of CMV disease in solid organ transplantation.
| valganciclovir dose | Valcyte for Oral Solution to be administered |
|---|---|
| 50 mg | 1 ml |
| 75 mg | 1.5 ml |
| 100 mg | 2 ml |
| 500 mg | 10 ml |
What is valganciclovir 450 mg used for?
Valganciclovir is an antiviral. It is used to treat infections caused by viruses. This medicine is also used to prevent CMV disease in patients who have received an organ transplant (eg, heart, kidney, or kidney-pancreas transplant).
How do you reconstitute ganciclovir?
Reconstitute vial with 10 ml of Sterile Water for Injection (do not use bacteriostatic water), and shake well to dissolve drug. Vial stability: stable at room temperature for 12 hours (Do not refrigerate). Remember when further diluted with NS or D5W, final solution should be refrigerated until ready for use.
Which route can ganciclovir be administered?
Adults and teenagers—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, 5 mg per kilogram (2.3 mg per pound) of body weight is injected into a vein every twelve hours for seven to fourteen days.
Is valganciclovir and acyclovir the same?
Valacyclovir is actually a “prodrug,” that is not active itself but rather, it is converted to acyclovir in the body, and it is acyclovir that is active against the viruses. (Acyclovir is available as a topical, oral, and intravenous medication.)
Why is ganciclovir more toxic than acyclovir?
Moreover, because of its low solubility, the corneal penetration is limited when the corneal epithelium is intact. Acyclovir and the more recent addition to the armamentarium against HSV, ganciclovir, both target only infected cells and are therefore less toxic then their previous counterparts.
Is ganciclovir generic?
There is currently no generic form of Zirgan (ganciclovir). There’s another antiviral eye medication, trifluridine (Viroptic), that’s used to treat herpes of the eye and is available as a generic.
Can you crush valganciclovir?
Do not break, crush, or chew it. Be careful not to handle crushed or broken tablets. If you have contact with broken or crushed tablets or mixed oral liquid, wash your skin with soap and clear water. If the medicine gets into your eyes, rinse them with clear water.
Is ganciclovir intravenous?
Intravenous (I.V.) ganciclovir is an antiviral used for the initial treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (ie: retinitis). This drug can also be used to prevent a relapse of CMV after the initial treatment. You should have your eyes examined regularly.
How is ganciclovir taken?
Ganciclovir comes as a capsule to take by mouth. 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.
How effective is oral valganciclovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV)?
Overall, once-daily oral valganciclovir was as clinically effective and well-tolerated as oral ganciclovir tid for CMV prevention in high-risk SOT recipients. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t Administration, Oral Adult Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
What is the target ganciclovir area under the concentration versus time curve?
Expert opinion: A 24-h ganciclovir area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC₀₋₂₄) of 40 – 60 μg h/ml decreased the risk of CMV infection for adults undergoing CMV prophylaxis. For adults undergoing treatment for active CMV disease, a target AUC₀₋₁₂ of 40 – 60 μg h/ml has been suggested.
What does the Victor study tell us about valganciclovir?
The long-anticipated VICTOR study (reported in this issue of American Journal of Transplantation) represents the first large, randomized, multicenter trial of valganciclovir versus IV ganciclovir for treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia ( 1 ).
What is the role of valganciclovir in the treatment of liver transplant patients?
Pescovitz MD, Rabkin J, Merion RM, et al. Valganciclovir results in improved oral absorption of ganciclovir in liver transplant recipients. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2000; 44:2811.