What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Doxorubicin and ganciclovir
Ganciclovir's FDA label of January 9, 2026 names doxorubicin in its drug interactions section; the doxorubicin labels PlainMeds reads (2) do not name ganciclovir. The ganciclovir label: “Because of potential for higher toxicity, coadministration with Ganciclovir should be considered only if the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the risks.”
Check it at the source: the doxorubicin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 5, 2026, Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc); the ganciclovir FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 9, 2026, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC).
What does the doxorubicin label say about ganciclovir?
Doxorubicin's label (effective May 5, 2026) and its 1 other brand-application label do not name ganciclovir in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Doxorubicin Hydrochloride), Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc, effective May 5, 2026 (SPL set 1fd148fb-0fbc-4b6f-b790-23546fb46a71), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the ganciclovir label say about doxorubicin?
Ganciclovir label, drug interactionsName of the Concomitant Drug: Other drugs associated with myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity (e.g., dapsone, doxorubicin, flucytosine, hydroxyurea, pentamidine, tacrolimus, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, vinblastine, vincristine and zidovudine); Change in the Concentration of Ganciclovir or Concomitant Drug: Unknown; Clinical Comment: Because of potential for higher toxicity, coadministration with Ganciclovir should be considered only if the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the risks.
Source: FDA drug label (Ganciclovir), Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC, effective January 9, 2026 (SPL set 35addab5-09db-4f8a-9c69-6fbce33ecc37), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Doxorubicin | Ganciclovir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Breast cancer | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $91.24 per gram 0.15% ophthalmic gel |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once