Here is the complete overview of Ganciclovir Capsule 250 mg, presented with helpful icons:
💊 Ganciclovir Capsule 250 mg
🧪 Nature / Drug Class
🔹 Antiviral agent
🔹 Synthetic analogue of guanosine
🔹 Belongs to the class: nucleoside analogues
🔹 Inhibits viral DNA polymerase → blocks replication
🔹 Especially active against cytomegalovirus (CMV)
🩺 Purpose / Indications
✅ Used for:
- 🦠 CMV infections in immunocompromised patients (e.g., HIV/AIDS, transplant)
- 👁️ CMV retinitis in AIDS patients
- 🛡️ Prevention of CMV disease in organ transplant recipients
- Occasionally used in congenital CMV infections under specialist care
⚙️ Advantages
✔️ Oral form allows long-term outpatient use
✔️ Can reduce or delay progression of CMV retinitis
✔️ Used as maintenance therapy after IV induction
✔️ Alternative to IV therapy for stable patients
📦 Common Packaging
📦 Capsule containing 250 mg ganciclovir
🔢 Typically supplied in bottles or blister packs
💊 Usual dose: 1000 mg (4 capsules) 3x daily with food (for adults)
⚠️ Patient Advice / Precautions
🩸 Monitor:
- CBC (risk of neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia)
- Renal function – dose adjustment often needed
🧼 Practice contraception during treatment and for months after (teratogenic)
📛 Take with food to improve absorption
❗ Avoid contact with crushed capsule powder – can irritate skin or eyes
🚫 Not for use in mild CMV infections or for non-CMV viruses
🚫 Contraindications / Cautions
❌ Known hypersensitivity to ganciclovir or valganciclovir
⚠️ Use caution in:
- Patients with bone marrow suppression
- Renal impairment – adjust dose carefully
- Pregnancy & breastfeeding (avoid unless absolutely necessary)
🧊 Storage
🌡️ Store at 15–25°C
💧 Protect from moisture and light
🔐 Keep out of reach of children