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intravenous (IV) ganciclovir
Ganciclovir is a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral DNA polymerase, preventing replication of herpes viruses, particularly cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Ganciclovir is a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral DNA polymerase, preventing replication of herpes viruses, particularly cytomegalovirus (CMV). Used for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in immunocompromised patients, CMV disease prevention in transplant recipients, Herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompromised patients.
At a glance
| Generic name | intravenous (IV) ganciclovir |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | University of Oslo School of Pharmacy |
| Drug class | Nucleoside analog antiviral |
| Target | Viral DNA polymerase (CMV and herpes simplex virus) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease / Virology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Ganciclovir is phosphorylated by viral kinases (or cellular kinases in CMV-infected cells) to form active triphosphate metabolites that competitively inhibit viral DNA polymerase and cause chain termination during viral DNA synthesis. This selective activity against CMV and other herpesviruses makes it effective for treating serious viral infections in immunocompromised patients.
Approved indications
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in immunocompromised patients
- CMV disease prevention in transplant recipients
- Herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompromised patients
Common side effects
- Neutropenia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Anemia
- Renal impairment
- Neurotoxicity (confusion, hallucinations)
- Phlebitis at injection site
Key clinical trials
- Virotherapy and Natural History Study of KHSV-Associated Multricentric Castleman s Disease With Correlates of Disease Activity (PHASE2)
- Ganciclovir to Prevent Reactivation of Cytomegalovirus in Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure and Sepsis (PHASE3)
- Nanatinostat Plus Valganciclovir in Advanced EBV+ Solid Tumors and in Combination With Pembrolizumab in EBV+ RM-NPC (PHASE1)
- Open Label Study of IV Brincidofovir in Adult Transplant Recipients With Adenovirus Viremia (PHASE2)
- Multicenter Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Preventive Strategy Against CMV Infection in Heart Transplant Patients, Based on the Specific T Cells Response (PHASE4)
- Donor-Alloantigen-Reactive Regulatory T Cell (darTregs) in Liver Transplantation (PHASE1)
- A Study of Valcyte (Valganciclovir) CMV Prophylaxis After Renal Transplantation (PHASE3)
- Ganciclovir/Valganciclovir for Prevention of CMV Reactivation in Acute Injury of the Lung and Respiratory Failure (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- intravenous (IV) ganciclovir CI brief — competitive landscape report
- intravenous (IV) ganciclovir updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Oslo School of Pharmacy portfolio CI