What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Ganciclovir and valganciclovir
Ganciclovir's FDA label of January 9, 2026 names valganciclovir in its contraindications section, and valganciclovir's label names ganciclovir too. The ganciclovir label: “… significant hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to ganciclovir, valganciclovir, or any component of the formulation. Hypersensitivity to ganciclovir or valganciclovir.”
Check it at the source: the ganciclovir FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 9, 2026, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC); the valganciclovir FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 8, 2025, H2-Pharma, LLC).
What does the ganciclovir label say about valganciclovir?
Ganciclovir label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS 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.
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
What does the valganciclovir label say about ganciclovir?
Valganciclovir label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS 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 interactionsFollowing concomitant administration of VALCYTE and other renally excreted drugs, patients with impaired renal function may have increased concentrations of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug.
Valganciclovir label, warnings and precautionsDue to the frequency of neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia in patients receiving VALCYTE [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ], complete blood counts with differential and platelet counts should be performed frequently, especially in infants, in patients with renal impairment, and in patients in whom ganciclovir or other nucleoside analogues have previously resulted in leukopenia, or in whom neutrophil counts are less than 1000 cells/µL at the beginning of treatment.
Source: FDA drug label (Valcyte), NDA021304 (Cheplapharm), as published by H2-Pharma, LLC, effective December 8, 2025 (SPL set 4c517a39-2ded-4c5a-8d56-276853414b31), 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
| Ganciclovir | Valganciclovir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $91.24 per gram 0.15% ophthalmic gel | $1.91 per tablet 450 mg tablet |
| 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