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Valganciclovir

Antiviral · Antiviral for Cytomegalovirus

AntiviralAntiviral for CytomegalovirusATC J05AB11
CDSCO approvedATC J05AB11
EXCRETION
not curated
INTERACTIONS
11 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
not curated
Top interactionssee all 11
  • AdalimumabSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • CertolizumabSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • CidofovirSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • CladribineSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Valganciclovir is an ester of ganciclovir. Ganciclovir is related to aciclovir and is more active against cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Indications

Initial treatment and maintenance treatment of CMV retinitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patientsPreventing CMV disease following solid organ transplantation from a cytomegalovirus-positive donorCMV retinitis (initial control and sustained suppression)suppression of human CMV infectionscytomegalovirus retinitislong-term therapy for CMV retinitis (replaces i.v. ganciclovir)

Dosing

Adult
For Cytomegalovirus retinitis (in AIDS patients): Initially 900 mg twice daily for 21 days, then maintenance 900 mg daily. The induction regimen may be repeated if retinitis progresses.

Pharmacokinetics

Bioavailability
~60% (oral, food increases by ~25%)
Protein binding
Metabolism
Hydrolyzed rapidly to ganciclovir
Excretion

Side effects

Serious
  • retinal detachment
  • macular edema

Drug interactions

Adalimumab
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Certolizumab
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Cidofovir
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Cladribine
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Clozapine
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Deferiprone
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Etanercept
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Golimumab
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Infliximab
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Inotersen
Severe
Database

Clinical effect not specified

Source: DDInter

Zidovudine
Severe
Database

.

Source: DDInter

1 additional low-confidence interaction hidden — those rows lack a documented mechanism or management plan in our sources.

Related guidelines

Other Antiviral drugs

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Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, Harrison 22e, Katzung·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team