ganciclovir vs tenofovir disoproxil
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of ganciclovir and tenofovir disoproxil. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
Some examples include, but are not limited to, acyclovir, cidofovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin), and high-dose or multiple NSAIDs [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2)].
Cytovene
Viread
Ganciclovir injection is an antiviral medicine. It helps treat and prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is a medicine used to treat HIV and hepatitis B. It helps to lower the amount of virus in your body.
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.
This medicine treats HIV-1 in adults and children at least 2 years old. It is always used with other HIV medicines. It also treats chronic hepatitis B in adults and children at least 12 years old.
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.
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate blocks an enzyme that HIV and hepatitis B need to multiply. This lowers the amount of virus in your body. It can help your immune system get stronger.
- • Fever
- • Diarrhea
- • Low white blood cell count
- • Nausea
- • Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- • Rash
- • Diarrhea
- • Headache
- • Pain
- • Depression
- Cytomegalovirus Infection 1,170
- Drug Resistance 653
- Pyrexia 590
- Neutropenia 503
- Pancytopenia 503
- Bone Density Decreased 10,625
- Renal Injury 9,276
- Skeletal Injury 8,327
- Chronic Kidney Disease 7,247
- Osteonecrosis 7,245
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.
After stopping this medicine, hepatitis B may get worse. Your doctor will monitor your liver closely for several months after you stop taking it. If needed, you may have to restart hepatitis B treatment.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. HIV-infected mothers should not breastfeed because of the risk of passing HIV to the baby.
Also Compare, Nearby Drugs
Compare ganciclovir with
How to Read This ganciclovir vs tenofovir disoproxil Comparison
ganciclovir is classified in the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) drug class, while tenofovir disoproxil sits within the Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor 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, ganciclovir has 3,419 submissions while tenofovir disoproxil has 42,720. 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 minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to these drugs are both removed from the body by the kidneys, which can cause them to build up in your system.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for ganciclovir or tenofovir disoproxil.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.