Oral ganciclovir: a new option for patients with CMV retinitis [editorial] NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Oral ganciclovir: a new option for patients with CMV retinitis [editorial]

Int J STD AIDS. 1996 Jan-Feb;7(1):1-3. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96228416
Fisher M; Barton S

Abstract: Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a major cause of morbidity in patients with AIDS. The conventional treatment approach has involved insertion of a central venous catheter and intravenous administration of ganciclovir and/or foscarnet. This has been associated with systemic toxicity, line-related sepsis, and implications for patient quality-of-life. An oral formulation of ganciclovir has now been licensed for use as maintenance therapy in CMV retinitis. Multicentred trials comparing oral and intravenous ganciclovir have suggested that although the efficacy may be marginally reduced with the oral formulation, the associated toxicity is significantly lower. With careful and informed decision-making by both clinician and patient, the opportunity exists to enhance the quality of life in this patient group.
Keywords: Administration, Oral Antiviral Agents/*THERAPEUTIC USE Comparative Study Cytomegalovirus Retinitis/*DRUG THERAPY Ganciclovir/*THERAPEUTIC USE Human Infusions, Intravenous Treatment Outcome EDITORIAL REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL JOURNAL ARTICLEKWDadministration,oralantiviralagents/KWDtherapeuticusecomparativestudycytomegalovirusretinitis/KWDdrugtherapyganciclovir/KWDtherapeuticusehumaninfusions,intravenoustreatmentoutcomeeditorialreviewreview,tutorialjournalarticle
961030
M96A1442

Copyright © 1996 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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