Valganciclovir, sold under the brand name Valcyte among others, is an antiviral medication used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in those with HIV/AIDS or following organ transplant. It is often used long term as it only suppresses rather than cures the infection. Valganciclovir is taken by mouth.Common side effects include abdominal pain, headaches, trouble sleeping, nausea, fever, and low blood cell counts. Other side effects may include infertility and kidney problems. When used during pregnancy, it causes birth defects in some animals. Valganciclovir is the L-valyl ester of ganciclovir and works when broken down into ganciclovir by the intestine and liver.Valganciclovir was approved for medical use in 2001. It is on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines. In 2017, a generic version was approved. Medical uses
Adults
Valganciclovir is commonly used for treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (eye infection may cause blindness) in people who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Valganciclovir is also used to prevent cytomegalovirus disease in people who have received a heart, kidney, or kidney-pancreas transplant and who have a chance of getting CMV disease. Overall, valganciclovir works by preventing the spread of CMV disease or slowing the growth of CMV. Children
Valganciclovir is used for the prevention of CMV disease in people following kidney transplant (4 months to 16 years of age) and heart transplant (1 month to 16 years of age) at high risk. Side effects
Valganciclovir is commonly associated with vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and headache.
However, the valganciclovir patent was rejected by the Indian Patent Office in 2010, although Roche may appeal the rejection. Names
Also known as Cymeval, Valcyt, Valixa, Darilin, Rovalcyte, Patheon, and Syntex. References
External links
"Valganciclovir". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.