Valganciclovir (Valcyte)

Valganciclovir (Valcyte) is an anti-viral drug that is used to treat cytomegalovirus. It is a pro-drug of ganciclovir (Cyemevene), meaning that it is broken down in the body to produce the active drug. However, in contrast to ganciclovir, which must be injected into a vein or the eye for the best chances of treatment success, valganciclovir is available in tablet form.

A study comparing valganciclovir with intravenous ganciclovir for treating cytomegalovirus retinitis found the two treatments to be equally effective and tolerable after four weeks.1

Valganciclovir is dosed at 900mg (two 450mg tablets) twice daily for 21 days when treating active infection. The maintenance dose is 900mg once daily. It should be taken with food to maximise bioavailability.

Valganciclovir tablets cause a similar range and incidence of side-effects to those associated with intravenous ganciclovir. These include blood problems (neutropenia, anaemia and low platelets), diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain, as well as fever, headache, problems sleeping, abnormal sensations and peripheral neuropathy.2 It can also cause detachment of the retina.

References

  1. Martin D et al. A controlled trial of valganciclovir as induction therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis. N Engl J Med 346: 1119-1126, 2002
  2. Lalezari J et al. A safety study of oral valganciclovir maintenance treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 30: 392-400, 2002

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