ganciclovir
Brand names: Cytovene
Ganciclovir injection is an antiviral medicine. It helps treat and prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.
What it does
This medicine treats CMV retinitis, an eye infection, in people with weak immune systems, including those with AIDS.
Common side effects
Fever, Diarrhea, Low white blood cell count
Key warnings
This drug can cause serious side effects.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Ganciclovir is given into your vein through an IV. It should be given slowly over 1 hour. You will likely get this medicine every 12 hours for 14 to 21 days to start. Then, you may get it once a day for maintenance.
Pregnancy & 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.
Missed Dose
Call your doctor right away if you miss a dose. They will tell you when to take your next dose.
Storage
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep diluted medicine in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours. Do not freeze.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 7,748 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 9,877 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2001–2025.
Total Reports
9,877
Death-Related Reports
3,034
Hospitalization Reports
3,970
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OFF LABEL USE | 1,542 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,395 |
| 3 | CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION | 1,170 |
| 4 | DRUG RESISTANCE | 653 |
| 5 | PYREXIA | 590 |
| 6 | PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION | 545 |
| 7 | NEUTROPENIA | 503 |
| 8 | PANCYTOPENIA | 503 |
| 9 | DIARRHOEA | 434 |
| 10 | CYTOMEGALOVIRUS VIRAEMIA | 413 |
| 11 | PNEUMONIA | 411 |
| 12 | SEPSIS | 400 |
| 13 | MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME | 379 |
| 14 | RESPIRATORY FAILURE | 378 |
| 15 | CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION REACTIVATION | 355 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
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.
Mechanism: Taking these two drugs together increases the risk of kidney damage. This can be seen through an increase in creatinine, a waste product that the kidneys usually filter out.
What to do: Your healthcare provider should monitor your kidney function closely with regular blood tests. Report any changes in urination to your doctor immediately.
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.
Mechanism: 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.
What to do: 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.
Other drugs associated with myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity (e.g., dapsone, doxorubicin, flucytosine, hydroxyurea, pentamidine, tacrolimus, trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole, vinblastine, vincristine and zidovudine) Unknown Because of potential for higher toxicity, coadministration with Ganciclovir Injection should be considered only if the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the risks.
Mechanism: Both medications can be hard on the kidneys and may lower your blood cell counts. Using them at the same time increases the chance of these serious side effects.
What to do: Use this combination only if your doctor decides the benefits are worth the risks. Your doctor will need to check your blood and kidney health often.
Probenecid ↑ Ganciclovir Ganciclovir Injection dose may need to be reduced. (7) Probenecid: May increase ganciclovir levels.
Mechanism: Probenecid makes it harder for your body to remove ganciclovir, causing the drug to stay in your system longer.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of ganciclovir to prevent side effects.
Some examples of drugs that are eliminated by active tubular secretion 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 (5.4) ] .
Mechanism: These drugs are removed from the body by the kidneys using the same process. Taking them together might slow down how quickly they are cleared from your blood.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor your kidney health and blood levels while you are on this combination.
Common Questions
What if I am allergic to ganciclovir or valganciclovir?
Will I need blood tests?
Can I take other medicines with ganciclovir?
What should I avoid while taking ganciclovir?
How long will I need to take ganciclovir?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can ganciclovir cure CMV?
What are the signs of a serious allergic reaction?
Does ganciclovir affect fertility?
Can I drive or operate machinery while taking ganciclovir?
What are the common side effects of ganciclovir?
Does ganciclovir interact with other medications?
What drug class is ganciclovir?
Is ganciclovir safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog)
Other drugs grouped near ganciclovir — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acyclovir
Zovirax
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine.
Compare with ganciclovir →
albendazole
Albenza
Albendazole is a medicine that fights parasites.
Compare with ganciclovir →
amphotericin B
Ambisome, Fungizone
Amphotericin B liposome is an antifungal medicine.
Compare with ganciclovir →
anidulafungin
Eraxis
Eraxis is an antifungal medicine.
Compare with ganciclovir →
atovaquone/proguanil
Malarone
Malarone is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria.
Compare with ganciclovir →
Medication Guides
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What the FDA Data Shows for ganciclovir
The FDA label for ganciclovir (sold under brand names such as Cytovene) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Antiviral (Nucleoside Analog) class. This medicine treats CMV retinitis, an eye infection, in people with weak immune systems, including those with AIDS. Official labeling lists 14 commonly reported side effects, including Fever, Diarrhea, Low white blood cell count.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 7,748 voluntary reports. The database also lists 9 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 21, 2022
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages