Ganciclovir

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Cytovene

Pharmacological Mechanism

Acyclic guanosine analog — phosphorylated to triphosphate by viral UL97 (CMV) → competitive substrate + chain-terminator for CMV DNA polymerase. Used for CMV infection in transplant + HIV. IV form; valganciclovir is the oral prodrug.

Half-Life (t½)

IV: 4h, PO: 3.5h

Dosing Guidelines

• IV: Typical 5mg (Range: 5 - 10 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• immune-hematologic