amphotericin B vs ganciclovir
Side-by-side comparison of amphotericin B and ganciclovir. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
Cyclosporine or amphotericin B Unknown Monitor renal function when Ganciclovir Injection is coadministered with cyclosporine or amphotericin B because of potential increase in serum creatinine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. (7) Cyclosporine or amphotericin B: When coadministered with ganciclovir, the risk of nephrotoxicity may be increased.
Recommendation: Your doctor will need to check your kidney function frequently while you are on both drugs. Ensure you stay hydrated and follow all scheduled lab work.
Ambisome, Fungizone
Cytovene
Amphotericin B liposome is an antifungal medicine. It fights serious fungal infections in your body.
Ganciclovir injection is an antiviral medicine. It helps treat and prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.
This medicine treats fungal infections like aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis. It can also treat cryptococcal meningitis in people with HIV. It may also be used for visceral leishmaniasis, but this infection can return, especially in those with weak immune systems.
This medicine treats CMV retinitis, an eye infection, in people with weak immune systems, including those with AIDS. It also prevents CMV disease in adults who have had organ transplants and are at risk for CMV.
Amphotericin B liposome belongs to a class of drugs called polyene antifungals. It works by binding to the membrane of the fungal cells. This binding disrupts the fungal cell membrane, causing the cell to die.
Ganciclovir stops CMV from multiplying. It does this by blocking a key enzyme the virus needs to make copies of itself. This helps your body fight off the CMV infection.
- • Abdominal pain
- • Weakness
- • Back pain
- • Chills
- • Pain
- • Fever
- • Diarrhea
- • Low white blood cell count
- • Nausea
- • Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Fever 974
- Condition got worse 842
- Fever with low white blood cell count 650
- Sudden kidney damage 625
- Blood infection 612
- CMV infection 1,170
- The virus is not responding to the medicine 653
- Fever 590
- Low count of a type of white blood cell 503
- Low count of all types of blood cells 503
This medicine is not interchangeable with other amphotericin B products. Different versions of amphotericin B act differently in the body. Make sure you always get the correct medicine.
This drug can cause serious side effects. It can lower blood cell counts, possibly leading to severe infections or bleeding. It may also harm fertility in both men and women. Ganciclovir can cause birth defects and may increase your risk of cancer. Talk to your doctor about these risks.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Ganciclovir can harm your unborn baby. Do not get pregnant while taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about birth control. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medicine.
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How to Read This amphotericin B vs ganciclovir Comparison
amphotericin B is classified in the Polyene Antifungal drug class, while ganciclovir sits within the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, amphotericin B has 3,703 submissions while ganciclovir has 3,419. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both of these medications can be toxic to the kidneys when used at the same time. this combination may lead to a rise in serum creatinine levels, indicating kidney stress.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between amphotericin B and ganciclovir - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.