ganciclovir at a glance
Medicine class
Topical antiviral
Licensed use
Acute herpetic keratitis in adults
Administration
Eye use only; do not inject or swallow
Contact lenses
Remove before application and wait at least 15 minutes before reinsertion
After opening
Discard four weeks after first opening
What is ganciclovir used for?
The selected eye gel is licensed in adults for:
Acute herpetic keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus, including dendritic and geographic corneal ulcers.
It is not licensed for CMV infection of the retina or other viral keratoconjunctivitis.
How does ganciclovir work?
In infected cells, ganciclovir is converted to an active triphosphate form. This inhibits viral DNA polymerase and restricts further viral DNA formation.
How to take ganciclovir
Use only in the eye and follow the prescriber's instructions.
Wash and dry your hands.
Pull down the lower eyelid and place the gel into the pocket without touching the eye or surrounding skin with the nozzle.
Close the eye and gently press its inner corner for one to two minutes.
Separate other eye treatments by at least 15 minutes and apply ganciclovir gel last.
Remove contact lenses before use and wait at least 15 minutes before replacing them.
Close the tube after use and discard it four weeks after opening.
ganciclovir side effects
Common or expected effects
- Brief burning or stinging
- Eye irritation
- Temporary blurred vision
- Redness of the conjunctiva
- Superficial corneal inflammation, which may cause grittiness, watering or light sensitivity
Get urgent medical advice
- New or worsening eye pain, marked redness, light sensitivity or reduced vision needs urgent assessment.
ganciclovir in pregnancy
Experience during pregnancy is insufficient. Use is not recommended unless a specialist considers there is no suitable alternative. People who could become pregnant should discuss contraception with their prescriber; product information advises contraception during treatment and for up to six months afterwards.
ganciclovir while breastfeeding
Safety during breastfeeding has not been established. Use is not recommended unless the prescriber considers there is no suitable alternative, so specialist assessment is needed.
ganciclovir interactions
Absorption from the eye is low, but clinically important systemic interactions cannot be completely excluded.
Other topical eye treatments
Separate administration by at least 15 minutes and apply ganciclovir gel last.
Probenecid
May reduce ganciclovir clearance; the prescriber should review combined use.
Zidovudine or other medicines that suppress bone marrow
Combined use may increase blood-cell toxicity, although exposure from the eye gel is small.
Imipenem with cilastatin
Seizures have been reported with systemic ganciclovir, so combined use requires prescriber review.
Common questions about ganciclovir
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is ganciclovir eye gel an antibiotic?
No. It is an antiviral that acts against herpes viruses; it does not treat bacterial eye infections.
What eye infection does it treat?
The selected eye gel is licensed for acute herpetic keratitis in adults, including dendritic and geographic corneal ulcers.
Can it treat CMV retinitis?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.