Ganciclover pharmacokinetics

Ganciclovir is usually given intravenously and penetrates the eye and the central nervous system (CNS). The drug undergoes renal elimination in direct proportion to creatinine clearance. Oral bioavailability is less than 10%. An intraocular implant form of ganciclovir can be used in CMV retinitis. Valganciclovir, a prodrug of ganciclovir, has high oral bioavailability and has decreased the use of intravenous forms of ganciclovir (and also of intravenous cidofovir and foscarnet) in end-organ CMV disease.