Valganciclovir: oral prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus in the immunocompromised host

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
Richard B Freeman

Abstract

Herpes virus infections, particularly those caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), lead to significant and, sometimes severe, clinical problems for the immunocompromised host. As effective agents have become available, several treatment and prevention strategies have evolved over the past decade, first in intra-venous form and more recently, as oral preparations. Valganciclovir, the valine ester of ganciclovir, is an orally administered, potent, antiviral agent active against all herpes viruses. When taken orally, valganciclovir has much-improved bioavailability compared with oral ganciclovir and achieves ganciclovir exposures similar to intravenous ganciclovir. Clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of valganciclovir for the treatment of new AIDS-associated CMV retinitis showed equivalency to intravenous ganciclovir and prevented progression of quiescent disease. In solid organ recipients, once-daily valganciclovir has been proven equivalent to oral ganciclovir for the prevention of CMV infection. The high bioavailability and convenient dosing formulation make valganciclovir an attractive option for these indications.

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Citations

May 22, 2013·Journal of Clinical Virology : the Official Publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology·K Yeon ChoiM R Schleiss
Mar 9, 2013·Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy·Marie A Yu, Jeong M Park
Apr 2, 2010·Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care : JIAPAC·Samuel A Olowookere, Akinola Ayoola Fatiregun

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