AEGiS-ATDN: Oral Valganciclovir (Valcyte) Approved as CMV Treatment AIDS Treatment Data NetworkImportant note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Oral Valganciclovir (Valcyte) Approved as CMV Treatment

Information Bulletin #13 May June 2001

The FDA has approved oral valganciclovir (Valcyte) for CMV retinitis treatment. This is the first oral treatment for both CMV retinitis induction and maintenance treatment. Currently, intravenous ganciclovir is used to treat CMV retinitis. After induction therapy, maintenance therapy is required. This usually requires ongoing intravenous therapy with ganciclovir, although an oral version of ganciclovir is available. The new valganciclovir pills will be used for both induction and maintenance therapy. The possible side effects of oral valganciclovir are similar to those of intravenous ganciclovir: low red and white blood cell counts, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Valcyte is made by Roche, who says the drug should be available by mid-June.


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