Two medicines, side by side

Ganciclovir vs valganciclovir

Ganciclovir has no indication this site maps; valganciclovir has no indication this site maps. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ganciclovir since 1989 and of valganciclovir since 2001. Pharmacies paid $91.24 per gram (Zirgan 0.15% ophthalmic gel) and $1.91 per valganciclovir 450 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Ganciclovir, “Ganciclovir is an antiviral drug with activity against CMV [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Valganciclovir, “Valganciclovir is an antiviral drug with activity against CMV [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”

Check it at the source: the ganciclovir FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 9, 2026); the valganciclovir FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 8, 2025).

Highlights of the ganciclovir record

Ganciclovir (Cytovene) · label of January 9, 2026

Boxed warning

HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY, IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY, FETAL TOXICITY, MUTAGENESIS AND CARCINOGENESIS

Hematologic Toxicity: Granulocytopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and pancytopenia have been reported in patients treated with Ganciclovir for Injection [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].

Used for

From the label: indications
Ganciclovir for Injection is a deoxynucleoside analogue cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for the: • treatment of CMV retinitis in immunocompromised adult patients, including patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). ( 1.1 ) • prevention of CMV disease in adult transplant recipients at risk for CMV disease. […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file: June 23, 1989
Generic labelers: 6 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $91.24 per gram

Supply and safety

Shortage: No current entry
Recalls: 2

Highlights of the valganciclovir record

Valganciclovir (Valcyte) · label of December 8, 2025

Boxed warning

HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY, IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY, FETAL TOXICITY, MUTAGENESIS AND CARCINOGENESIS Hematologic Toxicity: Severe leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, and bone marrow failure including aplastic anemia have been reported in patients treated with VALCYTE [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].

Used for

From the label: indications
VALCYTE is a deoxynucleoside analogue cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for: Adult Patients ( 1.1 ) Treatment of CMV retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Prevention of CMV disease in kidney, heart, and kidney-pancreas transplant patients at high risk. […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file: March 29, 2001
Generic labelers: 19 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $1.91 per tablet

Supply and safety

Shortage: No current entry
Recalls: 2

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ganciclovir label of January 9, 2026, Valganciclovir label of December 8, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)

How do ganciclovir and valganciclovir differ on the record?

How each works, in its label's words: Ganciclovir, “Ganciclovir is an antiviral drug with activity against CMV [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].”; Valganciclovir, “Valganciclovir is an antiviral drug with activity against CMV [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”

Both are in FDA's class cytomegalovirus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitors.

Half-life, in each label's words: Ganciclovir, “Half-life was 3.5 ± 0.9 hours (n=98) following intravenous administration.”; Valganciclovir, “Further phosphorylation occurs by cellular kinases to produce ganciclovir triphosphate, which is then slowly …”

Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.

Generics: ganciclovir since 2003; valganciclovir since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).

	Ganciclovir	Valganciclovir
Labeled for	n/a	n/a
Pharmacologic class	Cytomegalovirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Nucleoside Analog Antiviral	Cytomegalovirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Nucleoside Analog Antiviral
How it works (label)	Ganciclovir is an antiviral drug with activity against CMV [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )].	Valganciclovir is an antiviral drug with activity against CMV [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. Mechanism of Action: Valganciclovir is an L-valyl ester (prodrug) of ganciclovir that exists as a mixture of two diastereomers.
Half-life (label)	Half-life was 3.5 ± 0.9 hours (n=98) following intravenous administration.	Further phosphorylation occurs by cellular kinases to produce ganciclovir triphosphate, which is then slowly metabolized intracellularly (half-life 18 hours).
Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA)	June 23, 1989	March 29, 2001
First generic approved	July 16, 2003	November 4, 2014
Generic labelers (NDC)	6 labelers	19 labelers
Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ)	$91.24 per gram (Zirgan 0.15% ophthalmic gel)	$1.91 per tablet (Valganciclovir 450 mg tablet)
12-month price change	-0.2%	-23%
Boxed warning	Yes	Yes
Shortage now	No current entry	No current entry
Recalls recorded	2	2
FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used)	10,882	18,742
DEA schedule	none	none

Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)

Do their labels mention each other?

Ganciclovir label, contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Ganciclovir for Injection is contraindicated in patients who have experienced a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to ganciclovir, valganciclovir, or any component of the formulation. Hypersensitivity to ganciclovir or valganciclovir.

Valganciclovir label, contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS VALCYTE is contraindicated in patients who have had a demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to valganciclovir, ganciclovir, or any component of the formulation [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Hypersensitivity to valganciclovir or ganciclovir.

Valganciclovir label, drug interactions
Following concomitant administration of VALCYTE and other renally excreted drugs, patients with impaired renal function may have increased concentrations of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug.

What both labels say about taking them together

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What next?

Ganciclovir: the full record
Valganciclovir: the full record
Alternatives to ganciclovir: every medicine labeled for the same conditions