User:Mr. Ibrahem/Ganciclovir

Ganciclovir, sold under the brand name Cytovene among others, is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent cytomegalovirus disease (CMV). This includes CMV retinitis, pneumonitis, encephalitis, and congenital CMV disease. It may also be used for certain VZV infections of the eye. It is given by injection into a vein or the eye. It may also be used as eye drops.

Common side effects when given by injection include low white blood cells, low platelets, low red blood cells, fever, diarrhea, increased sweating, headache, and kidney problems. Other side effects may include infertility and cancer. Use in pregnancy may harm the baby. It is a nucleoside analog of guanine.

Ganciclovir was patented in 1980 and approved for medical use in 1988. In the United Kingdom a 500 mg vial costs the NHS about £30 as of 2021. This amount in the United States is about 70 USD.