Valganciclovir: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Valganciclovir is a cytomegalovirus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for aids-related opportunistic infections and cytomegalovirus retinitis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Cytomegalovirus Nucleoside Analog Dna Polymerase Inhibitor
- Treats (across its forms)
- Aids-Related Opportunistic Infections and Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
- Available as
- Tablet · Powder
- Sold as
- 2 products — Valganciclovir Hydrochloride and Valcyte
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
- What the pharmacy pays
- about $56 for a 30-count supply — not your price
- Boxed warning
- Boxed warning
How Valganciclovir Hydrochloride is dosed
From the FDA label for Valganciclovir Hydrochloride (application ANDA205220). Other valganciclovir products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Pediatric Dosage ( 2.3 ) Prevention of CMV disease in kidney transplant patients 4 months to 16 years of age Dose once a day within 10 days of transplantation until 200 days post-transplantation according to dosage algorithm (note the calculation of creatinine clearance using a modified Schwartz formula in children) Prevention of CMV disease in heart transplant patients 1 month to 16 years of age Dose once a day within 10 days of transplantation until 100 days post-transplantation according to dosage algorithm (note the calculation of creatinine clearance using a modified Schwartz formula in children) Valganciclovir for oral solution should be taken with food. ( 2.1 , 12.3 ) 2.1 General Dosing Information Valganciclovir for oral solution should be taken with food [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Valganciclovir for oral solution (50 mg/mL) must be prepared by the pharmacist prior to dispensing to the patient [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )] . 2.3 Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients Prevention of CMV Disease in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Patients : For pediatric kidney transplant patients 4 months to 16 years of age, the recommended once daily mg dose (7 x BSA x CrCl) should start within 10 days of post-transplantation until 200 days post-transplantation. Prevention of CMV Disease in Pediatric Heart Transplant Patients : For pediatric heart transplant patients…
Everything below is the FDA label for Valganciclovir Hydrochloride (tablet). Valganciclovir is also sold as powder, and those are different medicines to take — follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Valganciclovir Hydrochloride side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Hematologic Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ]. Acute Renal Failure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. Impairment of Fertility [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . The most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported in at least one indication by greater than or equal to 20% of adult patients treated with valganciclovir tablets are diarrhea, pyrexia, fatigue, nausea, tremor, neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, headache, insomnia, urinary tract infection, and vomiting. The most common reported adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities reported in greater than or equal to 20% of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients treated with valganciclovir for oral solution or tablets are diarrhea, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, vomiting, neutropenia, leukopenia, and headache. Adult patients: Most common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities (reported in at least one indication by greater than or equal to 20% of patients) are diarrhea, pyrexia, fatigue, nausea, tremor, neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, headache, insomnia, urinary…
Who shouldn’t take Valganciclovir Hydrochloride
Valganciclovir for oral solution is contraindicated in patients who have had a demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to valganciclovir, ganciclovir, or any component of the formulation [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Hypersensitivity to valganciclovir or ganciclovir. ( 4 )
Valganciclovir Hydrochloride drug interactions
In vivo drug-drug interaction studies were not conducted with valganciclovir. However, because valganciclovir is rapidly and extensively converted to ganciclovir, drug-drug interactions associated with ganciclovir will be expected for valganciclovir. Drug-drug interaction studies with ganciclovir were conducted in patients with normal renal function. Following concomitant administration of valganciclovir and other renally excreted drugs, patients with impaired renal function may have increased concentrations of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug. Therefore, these patients should be closely monitored for toxicity of ganciclovir and the coadministered drug. Established and other potentially significant drug interactions conducted with ganciclovir are listed in Table 9. Table 9 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions with Ganciclovir Name of the Concomit a nt Drug Change in the Concentration of Ganciclovir or Concomitant Drug Clinical Comment Imipenem-cilastatin Unknown Coadministration with imipenem cilastatin is not recommended because generalized seizures have been reported in patients who received ganciclovir and imipenem-cilastatin. Cyclosporine or amphotericin B Unknown Monitor renal function when valganciclovir is coadministered with cyclosporine or amphotericin B because of potential increase in serum creatinine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) ↔ Ganciclovir (in patients with normal renal function) ↔ MMF (in patients with normal renal function) Based on increased risk, patients should be monitored for hematological and renal toxicity. Other drugs associated with myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity (e.g., adriamycin, dapsone, doxorubicin, flucytosine, hydroxyurea, pentamidine, tacrolimus, trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole, vinblastine, vincristine, and zidovudine) Unknown Because of potential for higher toxicity, coadministration with valganciclovir should be considered only if the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the risks. Didanosine ↔ Ganciclovir ↑ Didanosine Patients should be closely monitored for didanosine toxicity (e.g., pancreatitis) Probenecid ↑ Ganciclovir Valganciclovir dose may need to be reduced. Monitor for evidence of ganciclovir toxicity. Imipenem-cilastatin: Seizures were reported in patients receiving ganciclovir and imipenem-cilastatin. Concomitant use is not recommended unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. ( 7 ) Cyclosporine or amphotericin B: When coadministered with valganciclovir, the risk of nephrotoxicity may be increased. Monitor renal function. ( 5.2, 7 ) Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF): When coadministered with valganciclovir, the risk of hematological and renal toxicity may be increased. Monitor for ganciclovir and MMF toxicity. ( 7 ) Other drugs associated with myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity: Due to potential for increased toxicity, consider for concomitant use with valganciclovir only if the potential benefits are judged to outweigh the risks. ( 7 ) Didanosine: Ganciclovir coadministered with didanosine may increase didanosine levels. Monitor for didanosine toxicity (e.g., pancreatitis). ( 7 ) Probenecid: May increase ganciclovir levels. Monitor for evidence of ganciclovir toxicity. ( 7 )
Every valganciclovir product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $56 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $56 | View → |
What valganciclovir pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
Can you crush or split valganciclovir?
At least one valganciclovirproduct is labelled to be swallowed whole — crushing an extended-release tablet releases the whole day’s dose at once. Which applies depends on the form you were given.
What each valganciclovir label says about crushing, splitting and chewingHow long valganciclovir keeps
No valganciclovir label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Does valganciclovir expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsValganciclovir and breastfeeding
From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.
Full LactMed record for valganciclovir: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider insteadValganciclovir is rapidly converted to ganciclovir. Several factors might affect the decision to use valganciclovir in a nursing mother. No information is available on the clinical use of ganciclovir or valganciclovir during breastfeeding. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be transmitted to infants though breastmilk, with preterm and immunocompromised infants at greatest risk. No information is available on any changes in the risk of transmission if the mother is being treated with ganciclovir or valganciclovir. Although the manufacturer recommends avoiding breastfeeding during valganciclovir use because of the risk of infant drug toxicity, neonates with CMV infections are often treated directly with ganciclovir or valganciclovir. If the mother has a concurrent infection with HIV, breastfeeding is not recommended in the United States and other developed countries.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised August 16, 2021. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What people report to the FDA about valganciclovir
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 2,163 reports naming valganciclovir, and the FDA flagged 96% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- cytomegalovirus infection202 reports
- neutropenia174 reports
- pancytopenia153 reports
- pyrexia127 reports
- acute kidney injury115 reports
- diarrhoea113 reports
- leukopenia113 reports
- cytomegalovirus infection reactivation102 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean valganciclovir caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 26, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Valganciclovir Hydrochloride?
Valganciclovir Hydrochloride is a cytomegalovirus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor used to treat Aids-Related Opportunistic Infections, Cytomegalovirus Retinitis.
What kind of drug is valganciclovir?
The FDA classifies valganciclovir as a cytomegalovirus nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take valganciclovir with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run valganciclovir against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is valganciclovir sold under?
We track 2 valganciclovir-containing products in the U.S.: Valganciclovir Hydrochloride and Valcyte. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does valganciclovir come in?
Across the brands we track, valganciclovir is currently marketed as tablet and powder, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic valganciclovir?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic valganciclovir product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Valganciclovir: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/valganciclovir
- MLA
- “Valganciclovir: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/valganciclovir.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for valganciclovir on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.