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Ganciclovir

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Indications:-

  • life or sight-threatening cytomegalovirus infections in immunocompromised patients only. NOT FOR NEONATAL OR CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION

Cautions:

  • history of exposure to radiation or to drugs toxic to bone marrow
  • increased risk of seizures with imipenem
  • potential carcinogen
  • haematological toxicity
  • renal impairment
  • concomitant administration of drugs that prevent replication of rapidly dividing cells
  • ensure adequate hydration
  • vesicant - infuse only into veins with adequate blood flow

Contra-indications:

  • pregnancy and breast feeding
  • hypersensitivity to ganciclovir or acyclovir
  • abnormally low neutrophil counts

Side-effects:

  • neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
  • anaemia and eosinophilia
  • fever
  • rash
  • abnormal liver function tests
  • raised blood urea nitrogen or serum creatinine
  • sepsis
  • facial oedema
  • sore throat
  • epistaxis
  • malaise
  • others - See current issue of BNF

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