Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: GANCICLOVIR versus SYMMETREL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: GANCICLOVIR versus SYMMETREL.
GANCICLOVIR vs SYMMETREL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Ganciclovir is a synthetic guanine nucleoside analog that inhibits viral DNA synthesis by competitively inhibiting viral DNA polymerase and by incorporating into viral DNA, causing chain termination. It requires initial phosphorylation by viral thymidine kinase (CMV) or protein kinase (HSV).
Inhibits influenza A virus uncoating and viral RNA replication; increases dopamine release and blocks dopamine reuptake in the CNS.
Induction: 5 mg/kg IV every 12 hours for 14-21 days. Maintenance: 5 mg/kg IV every 24 hours. Oral: 1000 mg three times daily with food.
100 mg orally twice daily; may increase to 200 mg orally twice daily if tolerated, usually in divided doses. For Parkinson's disease, 100 mg orally twice daily; for drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions, 100 mg orally twice daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateGanciclovir + Probenecid
"The serum concentration of Probenecid can be increased when it is combined with Ganciclovir."
Clinical Note
moderateValganciclovir + Probenecid
"The serum concentration of Probenecid can be increased when it is combined with Valganciclovir."
Clinical Note
moderateGanciclovir + Mycophenolic acid
"The serum concentration of Mycophenolic acid can be increased when it is combined with Ganciclovir."
Clinical Note
moderateValganciclovir + Mycophenolic acid
Terminal half-life: 2.5-5.0 hours in normal renal function; prolonged to 10-30 hours in renal impairment; requires dose adjustment for CrCl <70 mL/min
Terminal half-life: 24-48 hours (young adults); 48-72 hours (elderly); may extend to 7-10 days in severe renal impairment. Clinically, steady-state achieved in 4-7 days.
Renal excretion: >90% unchanged; biliary/fecal: minimal (<5%)
Primarily renal excretion (90-95% unchanged) via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion; minor fecal (<5%). Dose adjustment required in renal impairment.
Category D/X
Category C
Antiviral
Antiviral and Antiparkinsonian
"The serum concentration of Mycophenolic acid can be increased when it is combined with Valganciclovir."