valganciclovir

Valganciclovir is an oral antiviral medication primarily used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and to prevent CMV disease in individuals who have received organ transplants, such as heart, kidney, or pancreas transplants[1][2][4][5]. It is a prodrug of ganciclovir and is rapidly converted into ganciclovir by intestinal and hepatic esterases after oral administration[3][6]. Ganciclovir acts as a synthetic analog of guanosine; it becomes phosphorylated within CMV-infected cells by viral protein kinase and then further phosphorylated by cellular kinases to its active triphosphate form. This active metabolite inhibits viral DNA synthesis by being incorporated into the viral DNA strand, leading to chain termination and prevention of further viral replication[3][8]. Valganciclovir does not cure CMV infection but helps control it. The drug is supplied as tablets or an oral solution for pediatric use. Developed by Roche. Acts by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase and being a substrate for cytomegalovirus protein kinase.

Brand names

Valcyte

Other names

ganciclovir L-valyl estervalganciclovir hydrochlorideL-Valine ester with ganciclovir