Ganciclovir: Exploring an Antiviral’s Journey and Impact

Historical Development

Early scientists searching for weapons against viral infections often found themselves challenged by the subtlety of viruses. Ganciclovir, first synthesized in the late 1970s by researchers responding to gaps left by traditional antivirals, marked a huge leap in the fight against cytomegalovirus (CMV). In the early days, doctors watched helplessly as immunocompromised patients fought losing battles with CMV. Trials in the late 1980s and 1990s, especially with AIDS patients, quickly shifted the narrative, giving families hope and doctors a much-needed tool. Years of clinical work, regulatory hurdles, and a relentless devotion to viral pharmacology taught the industry that targeted nucleoside analogs could beat even the trickiest of viral foes.

Product Overview

Ganciclovir stands as a synthetic purine nucleoside analog. As a prodrug, it waits until an infected cell activates it before swinging into action. When someone reads a label in the hospital, they usually see ganciclovir as a white, almost-glassy crystalline powder. It often comes in lyophilized vials for injection, though oral capsules exist for maintenance dosing. Pharmacies typically stock it as Cymevene or Cytovene, and generics now offer affordable access in many countries.

Physical & Chemical Properties

The molecule stands out because of its chemical ruggedness. Ganciclovir’s molecular formula, C9H13N5O4, makes for a fairly hefty nucleoside. It melts at around 250°C, but that’s not useful in clinical settings. Solubility checks show it mixes well in water and buffered saline, essential for intravenous use. Analysts with a sharp eye notice how ultraviolet spectroscopy and chromatography can confirm its purity—something critical for minimizing patient harm. Stability checks reveal that it stays potent if shielded from heat, moisture, and sunlight, keeping the risk of unwanted byproducts low.

Technical Specifications & Labeling

Hospitals demand consistency, so manufacturers put ganciclovir through relentless purity and potency tests; the USP standard calls for a purity of at least 98%. Each vial often contains either 250 mg or 500 mg of powder, clearly labeled to avoid confusion in busy pharmacies. Warnings jump off the packaging: professionals read about the teratogenic and carcinogenic risks, necessary because hospital staff must handle the powder with extra care. Labels also highlight reconstitution guidelines—add a precise volume of sterile water and discard leftovers to keep things safe.

Preparation Method

Chemists start by reacting guanine derivatives with acyclic sugar analogs using specialized catalysts under controlled conditions. Protecting groups anchor various parts of the molecule during the process, removed later under acidic or basic washes. Monitoring reaction completeness, they rely on thin-layer chromatography and HPLC. Once the main product forms, impurity profiles drive extra purification rounds through recrystallization or flash chromatography. Every batch runs through analytical labs for identity, purity, and residual solvent testing. Only then do operators lyophilize the finished product, pack it in sterile vials, and complete quality checks to prevent cross-contamination.

Chemical Reactions & Modifications

Research teams never stop tinkering with ganciclovir to hunt for stronger or more targeted versions. Valganciclovir appeared as a prodrug, offering better bioavailability after oral dosing. That breakthrough changed outpatient management. Chemists engineered dozens of analogs by swapping out the acyclic chain or tweaking the guanine ring, some earning spots in clinical trials. The exploration stretches to conjugating the molecule with polymers or nanoparticles to deliver the drug to hard-to-reach tissues, hoping for bigger impacts and fewer side effects.

Synonyms & Product Names

In pharmacies, ganciclovir often goes by Cymevene in Europe and Cytovene in North America. Chemists sometimes refer to it as 9-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine, or simply DHPG. Patent lapses led generic manufacturers to brand it under dozens of names worldwide. Mentioning any of these brings to mind episodes from wards where immunocompromised patients finally received relief after years of viral reactivations.

Safety & Operational Standards

Every hospital operating room and pharmacy must stick to protocol when handling cytotoxic agents like ganciclovir. Nurses glove up and wear gowns when preparing the drug, following procedures honed by years of occupational safety research. Special cabins called biological safety cabinets, equipped with HEPA filters, shield staff. Accidents, rarely, prompt thorough decontamination using detergents and spill kits. Safety Data Sheets outline every hazard and antidote, and every department runs drills to deal with accidental exposure or spills—important, as even tiny skin splashes or inhalation exposures can pose health risks. Training sessions teach junior staff to respect every warning on the packaging.

Application Area

Doctors turn to ganciclovir when CMV threatens vision, organs, or lives, especially following transplants or in severely immunocompromised patients. Ophthalmologists inject it right into the eye for CMV retinitis, hoping to save sight. Infectious disease specialists rely on it for bone marrow and kidney transplant recipients who pick up CMV infections. Pediatrics and neonatology teams sometimes use it off-label in congenital CMV. Antiviral stewardship programs constantly review dosing to prevent resistance, since misuse can leave patients with even fewer options. In recent years, molecular diagnostics trimmed the number of unnecessary prescriptions, helping keep future generations of patients safer.

Research & Development

Lab teams dive into new delivery approaches every year, like nanoparticle carriers and depot injections, hoping to cut down dosing frequency or target infected sites with greater precision. Research in the last decade shines light on resistance mutations, as CMV sometimes outsmarts the drug by tweaking the UL97 kinase or DNA polymerase. Genomics and next-generation sequencing now help physicians spot these resistant strains faster than ever. International agencies track new CMV therapies, with ganciclovir still used as the clinical benchmark. Companies running clinical trials look at new combinations or cycles, some aiming to reverse resistance or boost effectiveness in treatment-experienced patients.

Toxicity Research

Like many powerful drugs, ganciclovir brings tough challenges. Animal studies showed bone marrow suppression and fertility effects at high doses even before human studies began. Myelosuppression, especially neutropenia, dominates side effect profiles; careful lab monitoring for white cell counts became the norm wherever this drug shows up. Teratogenicity research sounded alarms early; pregnant staff face restrictions on mixing or dispensing it. Long-term cancer risk in patients remains debated, prompting ongoing registry studies in transplant survivors. Drug interactions, especially with drugs like zidovudine or mycophenolate, pile up, underlining the need for pharmacists and prescribers to keep up with the latest data.

Future Prospects

The field stands on the edge of new CMV therapies, but ganciclovir still owns a foundational place. Scientists hope to fine-tune analogs to beat resistance and lower side effects, possibly through targeted drug delivery tech. Responses to pricing pressures and generic competition could steer big formulation changes, with new long-acting versions under development. Precision medicine, which tailors courses to viral genetics and patient metabolism, holds promise for keeping treatment failures to a minimum. As new viral threats emerge and immune-compromised populations grow, learning from molecules like ganciclovir will guide the next wave of drug invention and smarter medication oversight.



What is Ganciclovir used for?

Stepping Into the World of Viruses

A lot of people don’t hear about cytomegalovirus—CMV—until it shows up in a blood test. CMV hides in healthy bodies most of the time, but folks with weakened immune systems, like transplant patients or those with HIV, face a bigger risk. If CMV shows up and gets out of control, it can set off a storm of health problems, mostly because their immune system can’t keep up. That’s where ganciclovir comes into play.

How Ganciclovir Makes the Difference

Doctors reach for ganciclovir to slow or stop CMV. It’s an antiviral medicine, handed out mostly to folks with compromised immunity—think bone marrow transplant recipients or people living with advanced HIV. I’ve seen the impact. Without this kind of antiviral, CMV can trash organs, mess with vision, and even threaten lives. For transplant patients, catching CMV early and treating it can mean the difference between a functioning graft and a failed one.

Ganciclovir blocks the virus from multiplying by interfering with its DNA replication. This might sound super-technical, but the result is simple: the infection takes a hit, and the patient’s own immune system has a better shot at fighting back. Hospitals use it as a backbone for CMV treatment, and, in some cases, for prevention. All that matters a lot to anyone who’s spent time on an oncology or transplant ward—where infections can take hold fast and spiral out of control.

Personal Experiences and Real-World Impact

I’ve seen people regain hope after starting ganciclovir. One young patient, just eighteen years old, received a kidney transplant. CMV showed up in her bloodwork a few weeks after surgery. Some nights the worry in her mother’s eyes filled the hallway. With the right doses of ganciclovir, followed by regular checkups, the infection died down. That meant her new kidney kept working, and she had the chance to live like any young adult should.

Numbers tell a similar story. Research from the CDC points out that transplant survivors taking preventive doses of this drug lower their risk of CMV disease by up to 70%. The improvement isn’t just technical; it means fewer hospital stays, less aggressive follow-up care, and a lot more peace of mind for families already under stress.

Challenges and Looking Ahead

Ganciclovir isn’t perfect. People can develop side effects like low white blood cell counts, which sometimes leads to pausing or adjusting their treatment. Viruses, frustratingly, can also become resistant over time, making the drug less effective. Costs can climb, especially with long-term therapies or complicated hospital stays.

To address these roadblocks, more doctors now test virus levels regularly, tailoring doses to fit each patient’s response. Pharmaceutical researchers keep pushing for new antivirals that can tackle resistant strains or come with fewer side effects. For families and patients, learning about the medicine, keeping up with appointments, and asking questions along the way goes a long way toward staying ahead of complications.

Why It All Matters

Ganciclovir makes a clear difference for people most at risk from CMV. Every effective treatment starts with someone caring enough to watch for infections, act fast, and keep searching for better answers. CMV may never be a household name, but the impact of safe, reliable antivirals leaves a mark on countless lives. Knowing what role ganciclovir plays reminds us how far modern medicine has come—and why keeping access to these treatments remains so important.

What are the common side effects of Ganciclovir?

Understanding How Ganciclovir Works

Ganciclovir pops up a lot in conversations about antiviral drugs. It’s used to treat viral infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, organ transplants, or certain cancers. The drug slows down the growth of viruses like cytomegalovirus (CMV). That protection makes it essential, but rarely easy, to tolerate.

Common Side Effects That Affect Daily Life

I’ve spoken with folks who’ve had to take Ganciclovir after transplants, and the side effects stand out as major hurdles in their recovery. Most people describe fatigue that hits differently—kind of like your energy gets sucked away for days. This relates to one of the biggest issues: low blood cell counts. Ganciclovir can knock down white cells, red cells, and platelets. Fewer white cells leave people open to infections, while low platelets can mean bruising and bleeding show up after the smallest bump.

Digestive problems pop up often. Nausea and vomiting become routine, and it isn’t just momentary discomfort. For people fighting chronic illness, poor appetite or repeated vomiting means more time worrying about nutrition and less chance of bouncing back strong.

There’s also the risk of kidney problems. Ganciclovir clears out of the body through the kidneys. People with existing kidney trouble often have to have their dose adjusted. Doctors check blood work to keep an eye out for rising creatinine levels. Kidney pain or swelling needs a quick phone call to a healthcare provider.

Lesser-Known Reactions

Some reactions are harder to predict. A few patients I’ve met noticed a metallic taste in their mouths. Not dangerous, but it gets in the way of enjoying meals. Headaches and confusion come up—sometimes people feel mentally foggy or notice memory slips. I’ve also seen friends struggle with tingling in their hands and feet, known as neuropathy.

Rash or skin irritation isn’t rare. The skin can get red and itchy, and sun sensitivity kicks in for some people. If this escalates, stopping the drug and switching treatments becomes the only option.

Why Side Effects Matter

Ignoring these effects can lead to bigger problems than the original infection. Low immunity boosts the risk of serious, even life-threatening, infections. If the kidneys react badly and aren’t caught early, it could mean long-term damage. No one wants to trade one health problem for three more. Patients, families, and healthcare teams need to spot changes quickly and react before small annoyances snowball.

Trying to Lessen the Impact

Clinics monitor bloodwork regularly—the goal is to catch a problem before symptoms show up. Nurses and pharmacists ask specific questions about bruises, fever, rashes, and stomach upset. Drinking enough water can help reduce strain on the kidneys. Eating what you can tolerate, even if meals get cut in half, keeps up strength. Open conversations about changes in mood, memory, or nerve sensations help spot less obvious side effects.

I remember helping a neighbor through the nausea. Rather than forcing full meals, smaller snacks and cooler foods helped. Staying flexible matters: if something hurts or drags you down for more than a day, your care team wants to know. Too often, people downplay fatigue or weird symptoms, hoping they’ll pass. In my experience, that only draws out the recovery time.

Moving Forward With Eyes Wide Open

Ganciclovir brings risks, but missing out on treatment isn’t usually an option. By staying aware, checking in with trusted healthcare workers, and listening to your body, most people can work through the worst of it. If new problems come up, or existing ones get worse, there’s always another approach to try. No one should have to face it alone.

How is Ganciclovir administered?

Direct Care for Tough Viral Infections

Ganciclovir shows up in medicine cabinets of hospitals dealing with tough viral threats, especially cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. Folks with weakened immune systems — such as transplant recipients or those living with HIV — rely on this drug to keep CMV from causing serious harm. Ganciclovir brings hope where regular medicines just don’t cut it. The way this drug gets into the body affects how well it tackles infections.

Two Paths: Intravenous and Oral

Doctors use two main ways to give ganciclovir: by vein or by mouth. Ganciclovir doesn’t absorb well in the gut when swallowed, so the oral form ends up less reliable and often gets passed over, unless the patient prefers home treatment or has trouble getting to a clinic.

In hospitals, nurses usually mix ganciclovir powder with sterile water, then push it slowly with an IV drip. This method puts the medicine straight into the bloodstream, where it gets to work fast and at predictable levels. Folks dealing with sight-threatening CMV retinitis or organ transplant patients running high risks get ganciclovir through an IV, sometimes over a couple of weeks — and sometimes even longer.

Handling and Risks on the Job

Mixing this drug calls for care. Ganciclovir can damage DNA if handled wrong, and nurses wear gloves, avoid spills, and dispose of supplies safely. Pharmacies take training seriously to protect their team and their patients.

Dosing comes with strict routines. The pharmacy team checks each person’s kidney function, because this medicine gets cleared out through urine. Poor kidney health slows down the drug’s exit, raising risk for side effects like low blood counts. Doctors run lab tests before starting and while continuing treatment, especially since bone marrow suppression sometimes sneaks up without obvious warning.

Beyond the Hospital: At-Home Care and Challenges

Insurance and home nursing programs help set up IV ganciclovir at home, hooking up patients for several weeks of therapy with portable pumps. Training and support from nurses can make this process feel a little less daunting for patients and family caregivers.

Swallowing a pill sounds easier — but the oral version of ganciclovir (Valcyte, a close relative called valganciclovir) works better than the original as a tablet. Many doctors skip the pure ganciclovir pills because more ends up flushed out instead of fighting the infection. Sometimes, swallowing or home therapy fits the patient's life better, but doctors weigh these choices against the drug’s effectiveness.

Improving Patient Experiences

Relying on IV infusions puts a burden on patients and their families. Extra clinic visits, missed work, and complicated care at home encourage many to ask — can scientists come up with options that work as well but interrupt life less? Supporting research into new delivery systems and affordable oral choices should get more attention. Health systems thrive when care stays both safe and as simple as possible.

Patients facing viral infections and tough treatments want straightforward answers. Ganciclovir remains essential for folks at risk from CMV, but the path it takes into the body matters — not just to scientists, but to everyone hoping for better days after a diagnosis.

Can Ganciclovir be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Why Doctors Look Twice at Ganciclovir

Expecting a child brings a wave of caution about which medicines are safe. Ganciclovir steps into a particularly tricky corner because it’s not the kind of drug you’d find in a household cabinet. Hospitals turn to it for fighting tough viral infections, mostly in people with weakened immune systems. That puts it in the hands of specialists, and for good reason.

The Risk Side to Ganciclovir

Ganciclovir’s label comes stamped with warnings. Studies in animals have shown that the drug can cause birth defects and harm to developing embryos. The drug messes with DNA replication, which helps explain why it does a number on viruses but can also disrupt the careful work of building new human cells in the womb. There’s just no comfortable amount, no “safe” period, when it comes to exposure during organ development.

Pregnant women rarely take ganciclovir unless the potential benefits to mother or baby outweigh the risks. Doctors have tools to track infection progression—blood tests, ultrasounds—and those help shape the conversation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration previously listed ganciclovir as a pregnancy Category C drug, meaning that harm has shown up in animal studies, and there isn’t enough controlled human data to say it’s safe.

Why Ganciclovir Might Come Up Anyway

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection sometimes lands on a pregnant woman’s chart, particularly if her immune system isn’t working well because of an organ transplant or HIV. CMV can also harm unborn babies. That starts a tough conversation—ignore it and CMV might cause hearing loss, microcephaly, or even life-threatening infection in the newborn. Treat aggressively and the drugs can bring their own dangers.

Family and care teams step into unfamiliar territory, reading studies and consulting colleagues. Some solutions involve holding off until after delivery while fighting infection with different antiviral drugs that carry a lower risk. Hospital teams might consider intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in some special cases. Prevention—good hygiene, limiting exposure to sick people, careful screening of blood products—usually cuts down risk more than drug therapy alone.

Breastfeeding and Ganciclovir: More Tough Choices

After birth, the question shifts: Can a mother taking ganciclovir breastfeed safely? The drug shows up in breast milk, though researchers haven’t mapped out exactly how much passes over to the baby. What’s clear: Newborns, especially preterm or medically fragile infants, are more sensitive to medications than grown adults. Their tiny kidneys and livers can’t filter out drugs as fast.

Doctors usually recommend pausing breastfeeding during active ganciclovir treatment, especially for newborns at high risk. Sometimes, a patient on long-term therapy waits until medication is finished before resuming breastfeeding. Each case sits in its own unique context, and the priorities depend on the health of both mother and child.

Searching for Better Answers

The gap in knowledge reflects a sober truth. Pregnancy and breastfeeding often push medicine to rely on small studies, expert opinions, and risk calculations. Real-world experience, even a handful of well-documented case reports, builds confidence for future patients. The power to make informed choices comes from open conversation and honest evaluations, not simple rules.

Families sitting with these questions rarely get the luxury of easy answers, but trusted providers and up-to-date sources—including NIH LactMed, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and infection disease guidelines—help light the way through difficult decisions.

Are there any drug interactions with Ganciclovir?

Understanding Risks and Real-World Hazards

Ganciclovir stands out as a critical antiviral for people battling cytomegalovirus, especially those whose immune system doesn’t offer enough protections. Talking honestly about drug interactions matters, because skipping the details can bring real-life harm—especially for those already dealing with complicated health challenges.

Why Ganciclovir’s Interactions Deserve More Attention

Folks who need ganciclovir often take other strong medicines at the same time. Hospital patients with transplants, cancer, or HIV usually have a pharmacy bag full of other pills. Every extra tablet brings a new risk for drug clash. Up close and personal, kidney health takes the biggest hit when combinations go wrong, and almost every friend or patient I’ve known on ganciclovir gets their kidney function poked and prodded by their doctors for this very reason.

Ganciclovir clears out of the body through the kidneys, sticking around longer if kidneys aren’t up to speed. Some folks see their levels shoot up even more once other medicines join the mix, and that leads to real damage—not just numbers on a paper.

Common Drug Interactions: What You Actually Need to Watch

Imipenem-cilastatin and ganciclovir bring a surprising and scary risk together: seizures. I’ve known infectious disease docs who refuse to use both unless there’s absolutely no other choice. Seizures don’t just come from high doses—they can sneak up on you, which freaks out both the patient and the medical team.

Mycophenolate mofetil and ganciclovir both do a number on bone marrow. I once watched a transplant patient’s white blood cell count drop fast, and the root cause turned out to be this double whammy. That experience taught me to never ignore a lab result that keeps dropping, no matter how well the patient seems.

Other antivirals (like zidovudine or didanosine) also squeeze bone marrow to its limit when teamed up with ganciclovir. People with HIV sometimes end up with a pile-up of toxicities—low blood counts, risk of infection, and fatigue that grinds daily life to a stop. The reality is, stacked toxic drugs can tank quality of life, even when they keep viruses at bay.

Nephrotoxic medicines—think cyclosporine, amphotericin B, and some antibiotics—can send kidney stress into overdrive. Cyclosporine, for instance, often teams up with ganciclovir in transplant patients, and it doesn’t take much for kidneys to signal trouble. Lab work and honest conversations matter more than ever here.

Big Picture: What Can Be Done?

Doctors and pharmacists must keep an eagle eye on drug lists, lab results, and any new symptom. Digital health records help, but not every interaction shows up as a blinking red light in the computer system. I encourage patients to keep an open line with their team—don’t save up side effects or new symptoms for the next clinic visit. Clinicians need to dig deep, too: real harm gets caught early when they ask the right questions and never drop their guard.

One more thing: talk honestly about any and all supplements. Herbal capsules and over-the-counter stuff don’t get a pass. As someone who’s seen patients land in the hospital over “natural” combinations, I can say with confidence, every pill matters.

Staying safe with ganciclovir takes real vigilance, teamwork, and open conversation. For everyone caught in the crosshairs of tough infections and tougher drugs, connecting the dots on interactions can mean the difference between a bump in the road and real recovery.

Ganciclovir
Names
Preferred IUPAC name 2-amino-9-[(1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl)oxymethyl]-1,9-dihydro-6H-purin-6-one
Other names DHPG
9-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine
Pronunciation /ɡænˈsaɪkləˌvɪər/
Preferred IUPAC name 2-amino-1,9-dihydro-9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6H-purin-6-one
Other names Cytovene
DHPG
GCV
Pronunciation /ɡænˈsaɪ.kləˌvɪər/
Identifiers
CAS Number 107910-75-8
3D model (JSmol) `3D model (JSmol)` string for **Ganciclovir**: ``` data/mol=CNc1nc(=O)[nH]c(NC2CO[C@@H](O)C2O)n1 ```
Beilstein Reference 1438577
ChEBI CHEBI:4968
ChEMBL CHEMBL1200715
ChemSpider 2141
DrugBank DB01004
ECHA InfoCard 03c66bb1-0f82-485b-b6f7-5334713f7858
EC Number 2.7.7.6
Gmelin Reference 597221
KEGG D00530
MeSH D016793
PubChem CID 3454
RTECS number MSL0586RZ
UNII 1J00FOM5WC
UN number UN3248
CAS Number 107910-75-8
Beilstein Reference 172294
ChEBI CHEBI:49745
ChEMBL CHEMBL1259
ChemSpider 2246
DrugBank DB01004
ECHA InfoCard 100.042.171
EC Number EC 3.1.4.50
Gmelin Reference 790341
KEGG D00532
MeSH D016679
PubChem CID 135398656
RTECS number MA1768500
UNII F0R6V2GWJ5
UN number 2811
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) DTXSID0022353
Properties
Chemical formula C9H13N5O4
Molar mass 263.229 g/mol
Appearance White crystalline powder
Odor Odorless
Density 1.603 g/cm³
Solubility in water Slightly soluble in water
log P -2.2
Vapor pressure 2.96E-16 mm Hg at 25°C
Acidity (pKa) 2.2
Basicity (pKb) pKb = 2.4
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) -7.7e-7
Viscosity Viscosity: 2.4 cP (20°C)
Dipole moment 4.41 D
Chemical formula C9H13N5O4
Molar mass 255.232 g/mol
Appearance White crystalline powder
Odor Odorless
Density 1.65 g/cm³
Solubility in water 0.63 mg/mL
log P -2.46
Vapor pressure 1.83E-17 mmHg
Acidity (pKa) 13.9
Basicity (pKb) 2.40
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) -73.0e-6 cm³/mol
Dipole moment 3.92 D
Thermochemistry
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) 324.9 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) -738.6 kJ/mol
Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) -5693.6 kJ/mol
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) 321.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) -804.7 kJ/mol
Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) -5441 kJ/mol
Pharmacology
ATC code J05AB06
ATC code J05AB06
Hazards
Main hazards May cause cancer; may cause genetic defects; harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin; may cause fertility impairment; causes damage to blood and immune system.
GHS labelling GHS05, GHS06, GHS08
Pictograms GHS06, GHS08
Signal word Danger
Hazard statements H360fd: May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.
Precautionary statements P201, P202, P281, P308+P313, P405, P501
Flash point 212.8°C
Lethal dose or concentration LD50 (oral, mouse): 1,000 mg/kg
LD50 (median dose) LD50 (median dose) of Ganciclovir: ">9600 mg/kg (oral, mouse)
NIOSH Not Listed
PEL (Permissible) Not established
REL (Recommended) 5 mg/kg every 12 hours
IDLH (Immediate danger) Not Listed
Main hazards May cause cancer, genetic defects, infertility, teratogenic effects, bone marrow suppression, and eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.
GHS labelling GHS labelling: Danger; H302, H315, H319, H351, H360, H373, P201, P280, P308+P313, P405, P501
Pictograms Harmful; Eye irritation; Reproductive toxicity; Carcinogenic
Signal word Warning
Hazard statements H340, H350
Precautionary statements P201, P202, P261, P264, P270, P272, P280, P304+P340, P308+P313, P312, P321, P362+P364, P405, P501
Flash point > 446.6 °C
Lethal dose or concentration LD50 (oral, mouse): 10,000 mg/kg
LD50 (median dose) LD50 (median dose): Mouse (IV): 998 mg/kg
NIOSH VX8225000
PEL (Permissible) Not established
REL (Recommended) 5 mg/kg every 12 hours
IDLH (Immediate danger) IDLH: Not Listed
Related compounds
Related compounds Acyclovir
Valganciclovir
Penciclovir
Famciclovir
Cidofovir
Foscarnet
Related compounds Acyclovir
Valganciclovir
Penciclovir
Famciclovir
Cidofovir
Foscarnet