Ganciclovir 2mg/0.1ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes
Prescription only
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
An acyclovir analog that is a potent inhibitor of the Herpesvirus family including cytomegalovirus.
Active ingredients:
Ganciclovir
No active safety alerts
Official documents, adverse reaction reporting, and safety monitoring
Report a side effect
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Official medicine documents
Source: MHRA Products DatabaseOGL 3.0
Updated 3 months ago(16 Jan 2026)Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
MHRA
The MHRA Yellow Card scheme collects reports of suspected side effects from healthcare professionals and patients. View the Drug Analysis Profile (iDAP) for real-world adverse reaction data.
View Drug Analysis Profile
Suspected adverse reactions reported for Ganciclovir
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Interactive Drug Analysis Profiles for all medicines
Report a side effect
Submit a Yellow Card report to the MHRA
Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
EudraVigilance
EMA
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) collects suspected adverse reaction reports from across the EU/EEA through the EudraVigilance system. Search for safety data on this medicine.
View EudraVigilance report
Suspected adverse reactions reported for Ganciclovir
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Learn about EU pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring
EudraVigilance data is published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A suspected adverse reaction is not necessarily caused by the medicine.
1 branded products available
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Eye, ear & nasal
(2)Topicals
(2)Similarity based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and NHS BNF section grouping. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
Clinical guidelines and formulary information
British National Formulary
Ganciclovir
BNF
Drug monograph — bnf.nice.org.ukSource: British National Formulary, NICE. Joint Formulary Committee. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
NICE clinical guidance(2)
Maribavir for treating refractory cytomegalovirus infection after transplant (TA860)
TA860
Technology appraisal
Updated Jan 2023Letermovir for preventing cytomegalovirus disease after a stem cell transplant (TA591)
TA591
Technology appraisal
Updated Jul 2019Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check stock at pharmacies and supply information
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Search for this medicine at major UK pharmacy chains. These links open the retailer's own website — results depend on their current online catalogue.
Supply & product information
Official product databases and supply status monitoring
Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. emc (electronic medicines compendium) is operated by Datapharm Ltd. Shortage information sourced from NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS), sps.nhs.uk.
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
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These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF codes from NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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Searching UK clinical trials...
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
84 found
Half-life
2.5 to 3.6 hours
Mechanism
Ganciclovir's antiviral activity inhibits virus replication.
Food interactions
1 warning
Human targets
1 target
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
5%
Poorly absorbed systemically following oral administration. Bioavailability under fasting conditions is approximately 5%, and when administered with food, 6 to 9% (about 30% with a fatty meal).…
Half-life
2.5 to 3.6 hours
2.5 to 3.6 hours (mean 2.9 hours) when administered intravenously in adults.…
Protein binding
1 to 2%
1 to 2%
Volume of distribution
0.15 L/kg
* 0.74 ± 0.15 L/kg
Metabolism
90%
Little to no metabolism, about 90% of plasma ganciclovir is eliminated unchanged in the urine.
Elimination
Renal excretion of unchanged drug by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion is the major route of elimination of ganciclovir.
Clearance
63 mL/min
* 128 +/- 63 mL/min [Patients with Renal Impairment (Clcr=50-79 mL/min)]
* 57+/- 8 mL/min [Patients with Renal Impairment (Clcr=25-49 mL/min)]
*…
* 57+/- 8 mL/min [Patients with Renal Impairment (Clcr=25-49 mL/min)]
*…
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Status:
Approved
Investigational
Small molecule
About this compound
An acyclovir analog that is a potent inhibitor of the Herpesvirus family including cytomegalovirus. Ganciclovir is used to treat complications from AIDS-associated cytomegalovirus infections.
Properties:
View FDA drug labelsolid
Avg. mass: 255.23 Da
DrugBank indication
For induction and maintenance in the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in immunocompromised patients, including patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Also used in the treatment of severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, including CMV pneumonia, CMV gastrointestinal disease, and disseminated CMV infections, in immunocompromised patients.
Also known as(44)
2-(6-Amino-purin-9-ylmethoxy)-propane-1,3-diol
2-amino-9-((1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yloxy)methyl)-1H-purin-6(9H)-one
2-amino-9-((1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yloxy)methyl)-3H-purin-6(9H)-one
2-amino-9-((1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yloxy)methyl)-9H-purin-6-ol
2-Amino-9-(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethoxymethyl)-1,9-dihydro-purin-6-one
2-amino-9-(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethoxymethyl)-6,9-dihydro-1H-6-purinone
9-((2-Hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy)methyl)guanine
9-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine
Dosage forms(43)
Solution (Intravenous) — 543.080 mg
Solution (Intravenous) — 500.000 mg
Capsule (Oral) — 250 MG
Capsule (Oral)
Injection, powder, for solution (Parenteral) — 543 mg
Powder — 500 MG/10ML
Capsule, liquid filled (Oral) — 250 mg
Injection, powder, for solution (Intravenous) — 500 mg
Molecular properties(19)
Drug interactions(983)
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Succinic acid
Unknown severity
The excretion of Succinic acid can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Citrulline
Unknown severity
The excretion of Citrulline can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Aminohippuric acid
Unknown severity
The excretion of Aminohippuric acid can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Cefdinir can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Leucovorin
Unknown severity
The excretion of Leucovorin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Fluorescein
Unknown severity
The excretion of Fluorescein can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Hydrocortisone
Unknown severity
The excretion of Hydrocortisone can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Quinapril can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Famotidine
Unknown severity
The excretion of Famotidine can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Fexofenadine
Unknown severity
The excretion of Fexofenadine can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Benzylpenicillin
Unknown severity
The excretion of Benzylpenicillin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Tazobactam
Unknown severity
The excretion of Tazobactam can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate
Unknown severity
The excretion of Cyclic adenosine monophosphate can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Cholic Acid
Unknown severity
The excretion of Cholic Acid can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Glutaric Acid
Unknown severity
The excretion of Glutaric Acid can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Oxalic Acid
Unknown severity
The excretion of Oxalic Acid can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Taurocholic acid
Unknown severity
The excretion of Taurocholic acid can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Ellagic acid
Unknown severity
The excretion of Ellagic acid can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Avibactam can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Eluxadoline
Unknown severity
The excretion of Eluxadoline can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Silibinin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Relebactam
Unknown severity
The excretion of Relebactam can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Cefotiam can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Tenofovir disoproxil
Unknown severity
The excretion of Tenofovir disoproxil can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Indomethacin
Unknown severity
The excretion of Indomethacin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Methotrexate
Unknown severity
The excretion of Methotrexate can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Cephalexin
Unknown severity
The excretion of Cephalexin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Valaciclovir
Unknown severity
The excretion of Valaciclovir can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Acyclovir can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Cefaclor can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Hydrochlorothiazide
Unknown severity
The excretion of Hydrochlorothiazide can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Cefazolin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Ceftizoxime
Unknown severity
The excretion of Ceftizoxime can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Cefacetrile
Unknown severity
The excretion of Cefacetrile can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Ceftibuten
Unknown severity
The excretion of Ceftibuten can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Cefaloridine
Unknown severity
The excretion of Cefaloridine can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Tenofovir alafenamide
Unknown severity
The serum concentration of Tenofovir alafenamide can be increased when it is combined with Ganciclovir.
Oseltamivir
Unknown severity
The excretion of Oseltamivir can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Conjugated estrogens
Unknown severity
The excretion of Conjugated estrogens can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Piperacillin
Unknown severity
The excretion of Piperacillin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Trifluridine
Unknown severity
The excretion of Trifluridine can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Allopurinol
Unknown severity
The excretion of Allopurinol can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Levocarnitine
Unknown severity
The excretion of Levocarnitine can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Tetracycline
Unknown severity
The excretion of Tetracycline can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Sitagliptin
Unknown severity
The excretion of Sitagliptin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Doripenem can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Saxagliptin
Unknown severity
The excretion of Saxagliptin can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
The excretion of Estradiol can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Oxytetracycline
Unknown severity
The excretion of Oxytetracycline can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Prednisolone phosphate
Unknown severity
The excretion of Prednisolone phosphate can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Showing 50 of 983 interactions
Food & lifestyle interactions
Take With Food
Take with food. Food increases bioavailability.
Toxicity & overdose
Oral, mouse LD50: > 2g/kg. Intravenous, dog LD50: > 150mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include irreversible pancytopenia, worsening GI symptoms, and acute renal failure.
Suspected cancer agent.
Suspected cancer agent.
How it works
Mechanism of action
Ganciclovir's antiviral activity inhibits virus replication. This inhibitory action is highly selective as the drug must be converted to the active form by a virus-encoded cellular enzyme, thymidine kinase (TK). TK catalyzes phosphorylation of ganciclovir to the monophosphate, which is then subsequently converted into the diphosphate by cellular guanylate kinase and into the triphosphate by a number of cellular enzymes. In vitro, ganciclovir triphosphate stops replication of herpes viral DNA. When used as a substrate for viral DNA polymerase, ganciclovir triphosphate competitively inhibits dATP leading to the formation of 'faulty' DNA. This is where ganciclovir triphosphate is incorporated into the DNA strand replacing many of the adenosine bases. This results in the prevention of DNA synthesis, as phosphodiester bridges can longer to be built, destabilizing the strand. Ganciclovir inhibits viral DNA polymerases more effectively than it does cellular polymerase, and chain elongation resumes when ganciclovir is removed.
Pharmacodynamics
Ganciclovir is a synthetic nucleoside analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine that inhibits replication of herpes viruses both in vitro and in vivo. Sensitive human viruses include cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus -1 and -2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV), however clinical studies have been limited to assessment of efficacy in patients with CMV infection. Ganciclovir is a prodrug that is structurally similar to acyclovir. It inhibits virus replication by its encorporation into viral DNA. This encorporation inhibits dATP and leads to defective DNA, ceasing or retarding the viral machinery required to spread the virus to other cells.
Pharmacokinetics
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
Absorption
Poorly absorbed systemically following oral administration. Bioavailability under fasting conditions is approximately 5%, and when administered with food, 6 to 9% (about 30% with a fatty meal).
Half-life
2.5 to 3.6 hours (mean 2.9 hours) when administered intravenously in adults. 3.1 to 5.5 hours when administered orally in adults. Renal function impairment causes a marked increase in half life (9 to 30 hours intravenously, 15.7 to 18.2 hours orally).
Protein binding
1 to 2%
Volume of distribution
* 0.74 ± 0.15 L/kg
Metabolism
Little to no metabolism, about 90% of plasma ganciclovir is eliminated unchanged in the urine.
Route of elimination
Renal excretion of unchanged drug by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion is the major route of elimination of ganciclovir.
Clearance
* 128 +/- 63 mL/min [Patients with Renal Impairment (Clcr=50-79 mL/min)]
* 57+/- 8 mL/min [Patients with Renal Impairment (Clcr=25-49 mL/min)]
* 30 +/- 13 mL/min [Patients with Renal Impairment (Clcr<25 mL/min)]
* 4.7+/- 2.2 mL/min/kg [pediatric patients, aged 9 months to 12 years]
* 57+/- 8 mL/min [Patients with Renal Impairment (Clcr=25-49 mL/min)]
* 30 +/- 13 mL/min [Patients with Renal Impairment (Clcr<25 mL/min)]
* 4.7+/- 2.2 mL/min/kg [pediatric patients, aged 9 months to 12 years]
Drug targets(1)
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
DNA
incorporation into and destabilization
Transporters(6)
Proteins that transport this drug across cell membranes
Solute carrier family 22 member 1
SLC22A1
substrate
inhibitor
Specific function(R)-carnitine transmembrane transporter activity
Cellular location
Basolateral cell membrane
General function & pharmacology
Electrogenic voltage-dependent transporter that mediates the transport of a variety of organic cations such as endogenous bioactive amines, cationic drugs and xenobiotics .
PMID:11388889 PMID:11408531 PMID:12439218 PMID:12719534 PMID:15389554 PMID:16263091 PMID:16272756 PMID:16581093 PMID:19536068 PMID:21128598 PMID:23680637 PMID:24961373 PMID:34040533 PMID:9187257 PMID:9260930 PMID:9655880
Functions as a pH- and Na(+)-independent, bidirectional transporter (By similarity). Cation cellular uptake or release is driven by the electrochemical potential (i.e. membrane potential and concentration gradient) and substrate selectivity (By similarity). Hydrophobicity is a major requirement for recognition in polyvalent substrates and inhibitors (By similarity).
Primarily expressed at the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes and proximal tubules and involved in the uptake and disposition of cationic compounds by hepatic and renal clearance from the blood flow (By similarity). Most likely functions as an uptake carrier in enterocytes contributing to the intestinal elimination of organic cations from the systemic circulation .
PMID:16263091
Transports endogenous monoamines such as N-1-methylnicotinamide (NMN), guanidine, histamine, neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline .
PMID:12439218 PMID:24961373 PMID:35469921 PMID:9260930
Also transports natural polyamines such as spermidine, agmatine and putrescine at low affinity, but relatively high turnover .
PMID:21128598
Involved in the hepatic uptake of vitamin B1/thiamine, hence regulating hepatic lipid and energy metabolism .
PMID:24961373
Mediates the bidirectional transport of acetylcholine (ACh) at the apical membrane of ciliated cell in airway epithelium, thereby playing a role in luminal release of ACh from bronchial epithelium .
PMID:15817714
Transports dopaminergic neuromodulators cyclo(his-pro) and salsolinol with lower efficency .
PMID:17460754
Also capable of transporting non-amine endogenous compounds such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2-alpha) .
PMID:11907186
May contribute to the transport of cationic compounds in testes across the blood-testis-barrier (Probable). Also involved in the uptake of xenobiotics tributylmethylammonium (TBuMA), quinidine, N-methyl-quinine (NMQ), N-methyl-quinidine (NMQD) N-(4,4-azo-n-pentyl)-quinuclidine (APQ), azidoprocainamide methoiodide (AMP), N-(4,4-azo-n-pentyl)-21-deoxyajmalinium (APDA) and 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP) PMID:11408531 PMID:15389554 PMID:35469921 PMID:9260930
PMID:11388889 PMID:11408531 PMID:12439218 PMID:12719534 PMID:15389554 PMID:16263091 PMID:16272756 PMID:16581093 PMID:19536068 PMID:21128598 PMID:23680637 PMID:24961373 PMID:34040533 PMID:9187257 PMID:9260930 PMID:9655880
Functions as a pH- and Na(+)-independent, bidirectional transporter (By similarity). Cation cellular uptake or release is driven by the electrochemical potential (i.e. membrane potential and concentration gradient) and substrate selectivity (By similarity). Hydrophobicity is a major requirement for recognition in polyvalent substrates and inhibitors (By similarity).
Primarily expressed at the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes and proximal tubules and involved in the uptake and disposition of cationic compounds by hepatic and renal clearance from the blood flow (By similarity). Most likely functions as an uptake carrier in enterocytes contributing to the intestinal elimination of organic cations from the systemic circulation .
PMID:16263091
Transports endogenous monoamines such as N-1-methylnicotinamide (NMN), guanidine, histamine, neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline .
PMID:12439218 PMID:24961373 PMID:35469921 PMID:9260930
Also transports natural polyamines such as spermidine, agmatine and putrescine at low affinity, but relatively high turnover .
PMID:21128598
Involved in the hepatic uptake of vitamin B1/thiamine, hence regulating hepatic lipid and energy metabolism .
PMID:24961373
Mediates the bidirectional transport of acetylcholine (ACh) at the apical membrane of ciliated cell in airway epithelium, thereby playing a role in luminal release of ACh from bronchial epithelium .
PMID:15817714
Transports dopaminergic neuromodulators cyclo(his-pro) and salsolinol with lower efficency .
PMID:17460754
Also capable of transporting non-amine endogenous compounds such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2-alpha) .
PMID:11907186
May contribute to the transport of cationic compounds in testes across the blood-testis-barrier (Probable). Also involved in the uptake of xenobiotics tributylmethylammonium (TBuMA), quinidine, N-methyl-quinine (NMQ), N-methyl-quinidine (NMQD) N-(4,4-azo-n-pentyl)-quinuclidine (APQ), azidoprocainamide methoiodide (AMP), N-(4,4-azo-n-pentyl)-21-deoxyajmalinium (APDA) and 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP) PMID:11408531 PMID:15389554 PMID:35469921 PMID:9260930
Solute carrier family 22 member 6
SLC22A6
inhibitor
Specific functionalpha-ketoglutarate transmembrane transporter activity
Cellular location
Basolateral cell membrane
General function & pharmacology
Secondary active transporter that functions as a Na(+)-independent organic anion (OA)/dicarboxylate antiporter where the uptake of one molecule of OA into the cell is coupled with an efflux of one molecule of intracellular dicarboxylate such as 2-oxoglutarate or glutarate .
PMID:11669456 PMID:11907186 PMID:14675047 PMID:22108572 PMID:23832370 PMID:28534121 PMID:9950961
Mediates the uptake of OA across the basolateral side of proximal tubule epithelial cells, thereby contributing to the renal elimination of endogenous OA from the systemic circulation into the urine .
PMID:9887087
Functions as a biopterin transporters involved in the uptake and the secretion of coenzymes tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), dihydrobiopterin (BH2) and sepiapterin to urine, thereby determining baseline levels of blood biopterins .
PMID:28534121
Transports prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2-alpha) and may contribute to their renal excretion .
PMID:11907186
Also mediates the uptake of cyclic nucleotides such as cAMP and cGMP .
PMID:26377792
Involved in the transport of neuroactive tryptophan metabolites kynurenate (KYNA) and xanthurenate (XA) and may contribute to their secretion from the brain .
PMID:22108572 PMID:23832370
May transport glutamate .
PMID:26377792
Also involved in the disposition of uremic toxins and potentially toxic xenobiotics by the renal organic anion secretory pathway, helping reduce their undesired toxicological effects on the body .
PMID:11669456 PMID:14675047
Uremic toxins include the indoxyl sulfate (IS), hippurate/N-benzoylglycine (HA), indole acetate (IA), 3-carboxy-4- methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionate (CMPF) and urate .
PMID:14675047 PMID:26377792
Xenobiotics include the mycotoxin ochratoxin (OTA) .
PMID:11669456
May also contribute to the transport of organic compounds in testes across the blood-testis-barrier PMID:35307651
PMID:11669456 PMID:11907186 PMID:14675047 PMID:22108572 PMID:23832370 PMID:28534121 PMID:9950961
Mediates the uptake of OA across the basolateral side of proximal tubule epithelial cells, thereby contributing to the renal elimination of endogenous OA from the systemic circulation into the urine .
PMID:9887087
Functions as a biopterin transporters involved in the uptake and the secretion of coenzymes tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), dihydrobiopterin (BH2) and sepiapterin to urine, thereby determining baseline levels of blood biopterins .
PMID:28534121
Transports prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2-alpha) and may contribute to their renal excretion .
PMID:11907186
Also mediates the uptake of cyclic nucleotides such as cAMP and cGMP .
PMID:26377792
Involved in the transport of neuroactive tryptophan metabolites kynurenate (KYNA) and xanthurenate (XA) and may contribute to their secretion from the brain .
PMID:22108572 PMID:23832370
May transport glutamate .
PMID:26377792
Also involved in the disposition of uremic toxins and potentially toxic xenobiotics by the renal organic anion secretory pathway, helping reduce their undesired toxicological effects on the body .
PMID:11669456 PMID:14675047
Uremic toxins include the indoxyl sulfate (IS), hippurate/N-benzoylglycine (HA), indole acetate (IA), 3-carboxy-4- methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionate (CMPF) and urate .
PMID:14675047 PMID:26377792
Xenobiotics include the mycotoxin ochratoxin (OTA) .
PMID:11669456
May also contribute to the transport of organic compounds in testes across the blood-testis-barrier PMID:35307651
Organic anion transporter 3
SLC22A8
inhibitor
Specific functionorganic anion transmembrane transporter activity
Cellular location
Basolateral cell membrane
General function & pharmacology
Functions as an organic anion/dicarboxylate exchanger that couples organic anion uptake indirectly to the sodium gradient .
PMID:14586168 PMID:15644426 PMID:15846473 PMID:16455804 PMID:31553721
Transports organic anions such as estrone 3-sulfate (E1S) and urate in exchange for dicarboxylates such as glutarate or ketoglutarate (2-oxoglutarate) .
PMID:14586168 PMID:15846473 PMID:15864504 PMID:22108572 PMID:23832370
Plays an important role in the excretion of endogenous and exogenous organic anions, especially from the kidney and the brain .
PMID:11306713 PMID:14586168 PMID:15846473
E1S transport is pH- and chloride-dependent and may also involve E1S/cGMP exchange .
PMID:26377792
Responsible for the transport of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2(alpha) (PGF2(alpha)) in the basolateral side of the renal tubule .
PMID:11907186
Involved in the transport of neuroactive tryptophan metabolites kynurenate and xanthurenate .
PMID:22108572 PMID:23832370
Functions as a biopterin transporters involved in the uptake and the secretion of coenzymes tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), dihydrobiopterin (BH2) and sepiapterin to urine, thereby determining baseline levels of blood biopterins .
PMID:28534121
May be involved in the basolateral transport of steviol, a metabolite of the popular sugar substitute stevioside .
PMID:15644426
May participate in the detoxification/ renal excretion of drugs and xenobiotics, such as the histamine H(2)-receptor antagonists fexofenadine and cimetidine, the antibiotic benzylpenicillin (PCG), the anionic herbicide 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetate (2,4-D), the diagnostic agent p-aminohippurate (PAH), the antiviral acyclovir (ACV), and the mycotoxin ochratoxin (OTA), by transporting these exogenous organic anions across the cell membrane in exchange for dicarboxylates such as 2-oxoglutarate .
PMID:11669456 PMID:15846473 PMID:16455804
Contributes to the renal uptake of potent uremic toxins (indoxyl sulfate (IS), indole acetate (IA), hippurate/N-benzoylglycine (HA) and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionate (CMPF)), pravastatin, PCG, E1S and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and is partly involved in the renal uptake of temocaprilat (an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor) .
PMID:14675047
May contribute to the release of cortisol in the adrenals .
PMID:15864504
Involved in one of the detoxification systems on the choroid plexus (CP), removes substrates such as E1S or taurocholate (TC), PCG, 2,4-D and PAH, from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the blood for eventual excretion in urine and bile (By similarity). Also contributes to the uptake of several other organic compounds such as the prostanoids prostaglandin E(2) and prostaglandin F(2-alpha), L-carnitine, and the therapeutic drugs allopurinol, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (By similarity). Mediates the transport of PAH, PCG, and the statins pravastatin and pitavastatin, from the cerebrum into the blood circulation across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
In summary, plays a role in the efflux of drugs and xenobiotics, helping reduce their undesired toxicological effects on the body (By similarity)
PMID:14586168 PMID:15644426 PMID:15846473 PMID:16455804 PMID:31553721
Transports organic anions such as estrone 3-sulfate (E1S) and urate in exchange for dicarboxylates such as glutarate or ketoglutarate (2-oxoglutarate) .
PMID:14586168 PMID:15846473 PMID:15864504 PMID:22108572 PMID:23832370
Plays an important role in the excretion of endogenous and exogenous organic anions, especially from the kidney and the brain .
PMID:11306713 PMID:14586168 PMID:15846473
E1S transport is pH- and chloride-dependent and may also involve E1S/cGMP exchange .
PMID:26377792
Responsible for the transport of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2(alpha) (PGF2(alpha)) in the basolateral side of the renal tubule .
PMID:11907186
Involved in the transport of neuroactive tryptophan metabolites kynurenate and xanthurenate .
PMID:22108572 PMID:23832370
Functions as a biopterin transporters involved in the uptake and the secretion of coenzymes tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), dihydrobiopterin (BH2) and sepiapterin to urine, thereby determining baseline levels of blood biopterins .
PMID:28534121
May be involved in the basolateral transport of steviol, a metabolite of the popular sugar substitute stevioside .
PMID:15644426
May participate in the detoxification/ renal excretion of drugs and xenobiotics, such as the histamine H(2)-receptor antagonists fexofenadine and cimetidine, the antibiotic benzylpenicillin (PCG), the anionic herbicide 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetate (2,4-D), the diagnostic agent p-aminohippurate (PAH), the antiviral acyclovir (ACV), and the mycotoxin ochratoxin (OTA), by transporting these exogenous organic anions across the cell membrane in exchange for dicarboxylates such as 2-oxoglutarate .
PMID:11669456 PMID:15846473 PMID:16455804
Contributes to the renal uptake of potent uremic toxins (indoxyl sulfate (IS), indole acetate (IA), hippurate/N-benzoylglycine (HA) and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionate (CMPF)), pravastatin, PCG, E1S and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and is partly involved in the renal uptake of temocaprilat (an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor) .
PMID:14675047
May contribute to the release of cortisol in the adrenals .
PMID:15864504
Involved in one of the detoxification systems on the choroid plexus (CP), removes substrates such as E1S or taurocholate (TC), PCG, 2,4-D and PAH, from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the blood for eventual excretion in urine and bile (By similarity). Also contributes to the uptake of several other organic compounds such as the prostanoids prostaglandin E(2) and prostaglandin F(2-alpha), L-carnitine, and the therapeutic drugs allopurinol, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (By similarity). Mediates the transport of PAH, PCG, and the statins pravastatin and pitavastatin, from the cerebrum into the blood circulation across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
In summary, plays a role in the efflux of drugs and xenobiotics, helping reduce their undesired toxicological effects on the body (By similarity)
Solute carrier family 22 member 7
SLC22A7
inhibitor
Specific functionalpha-ketoglutarate transmembrane transporter activity
Cellular location
Basolateral cell membrane
General function & pharmacology
Functions as a Na(+)-independent bidirectional multispecific transporter .
PMID:11327718 PMID:18216183 PMID:21446918 PMID:28945155
Contributes to the renal and hepatic elimination of endogenous organic compounds from the systemic circulation into the urine and bile, respectively .
PMID:11327718 PMID:25904762
Capable of transporting a wide range of purine and pyrimidine nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides, with cGMP, 2'deoxyguanosine and GMP being the preferred substrates .
PMID:11327718 PMID:18216183 PMID:26377792 PMID:28945155
Functions as a pH- and chloride-independent cGMP bidirectional facilitative transporter that can regulate both intracellular and extracellular levels of cGMP and may be involved in cGMP signaling pathways .
PMID:18216183 PMID:26377792
Mediates orotate/glutamate bidirectional exchange and most likely display a physiological role in hepatic release of glutamate into the blood .
PMID:21446918
Involved in renal secretion and possible reabsorption of creatinine .
PMID:25904762 PMID:28945155
Able to uptake prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and may contribute to PGE2 renal excretion (Probable). Also transports alpha-ketoglutarate and urate .
PMID:11327718 PMID:26377792
Apart from the orotate/glutamate exchange, the counterions for the uptake of other SLC22A7/OAT2 substrates remain to be identified PMID:26377792
PMID:11327718 PMID:18216183 PMID:21446918 PMID:28945155
Contributes to the renal and hepatic elimination of endogenous organic compounds from the systemic circulation into the urine and bile, respectively .
PMID:11327718 PMID:25904762
Capable of transporting a wide range of purine and pyrimidine nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides, with cGMP, 2'deoxyguanosine and GMP being the preferred substrates .
PMID:11327718 PMID:18216183 PMID:26377792 PMID:28945155
Functions as a pH- and chloride-independent cGMP bidirectional facilitative transporter that can regulate both intracellular and extracellular levels of cGMP and may be involved in cGMP signaling pathways .
PMID:18216183 PMID:26377792
Mediates orotate/glutamate bidirectional exchange and most likely display a physiological role in hepatic release of glutamate into the blood .
PMID:21446918
Involved in renal secretion and possible reabsorption of creatinine .
PMID:25904762 PMID:28945155
Able to uptake prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and may contribute to PGE2 renal excretion (Probable). Also transports alpha-ketoglutarate and urate .
PMID:11327718 PMID:26377792
Apart from the orotate/glutamate exchange, the counterions for the uptake of other SLC22A7/OAT2 substrates remain to be identified PMID:26377792
Multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1
SLC47A1
substrate
Specific functionantiporter activity
Cellular location
Cell membrane
General function & pharmacology
Multidrug efflux pump that functions as a H(+)/organic cation antiporter .
PMID:16330770 PMID:17509534
Plays a physiological role in the excretion of cationic compounds including endogenous metabolites, drugs, toxins through the kidney and liver, into urine and bile respectively .
PMID:16330770 PMID:17495125 PMID:17509534 PMID:17582384 PMID:18305230 PMID:19158817 PMID:21128598 PMID:24961373
Mediates the efflux of endogenous compounds such as creatinine, vitamin B1/thiamine, agmatine and estrone-3-sulfate .
PMID:16330770 PMID:17495125 PMID:17509534 PMID:17582384 PMID:18305230 PMID:19158817 PMID:21128598 PMID:24961373
May also contribute to regulate the transport of cationic compounds in testis across the blood-testis-barrier (Probable)
PMID:16330770 PMID:17509534
Plays a physiological role in the excretion of cationic compounds including endogenous metabolites, drugs, toxins through the kidney and liver, into urine and bile respectively .
PMID:16330770 PMID:17495125 PMID:17509534 PMID:17582384 PMID:18305230 PMID:19158817 PMID:21128598 PMID:24961373
Mediates the efflux of endogenous compounds such as creatinine, vitamin B1/thiamine, agmatine and estrone-3-sulfate .
PMID:16330770 PMID:17495125 PMID:17509534 PMID:17582384 PMID:18305230 PMID:19158817 PMID:21128598 PMID:24961373
May also contribute to regulate the transport of cationic compounds in testis across the blood-testis-barrier (Probable)
Multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 2
SLC47A2
substrate
Specific functionantiporter activity
Cellular location
Cell membrane
General function & pharmacology
Multidrug efflux pump that functions as a H(+)/organic cation antiporter. Mediates the efflux of cationic compounds, such as the model cations, tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the platinum-based drug oxaliplatin or weak bases that are positively charged at physiological pH, cimetidine, the platinum-based drugs cisplatin and oxaliplatin or the antidiabetic drug metformin. Mediates the efflux of endogenous compounds such as, creatinine, thiamine and estrone-3-sulfate.
Plays a physiological role in the excretion of drugs, toxins and endogenous metabolites through the kidney
Plays a physiological role in the excretion of drugs, toxins and endogenous metabolites through the kidney
ATC classification(2 codes)
ATC J05AB06
ATC S01AD09
Affected organisms(1)
Human Herpes Virus
Salt forms(1)
Ganciclovir sodium(DBSALT000309)
Experimental properties(4)
Commercial products(31)
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Show
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Ganciclovir
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
135
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
1238
ChemSpider
3336
BindingDB
85707
PDB
GA2
ZINC
ZINC000000001505
GenBank Gene Database
X14112
GenBank Protein Database
59530
UniProt Accession
DPOL_HHV11
GenBank Gene Database
AF243477
GenBank Protein Database
8100965
UniProt Accession
KITH_HHV1
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10963
GeneCards
SLC22A1
GenBank Gene Database
X98332
GenBank Protein Database
2511670
Guide to Pharmacology
1019
UniProt Accession
S22A1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10970
GenAtlas
hROAT1
GeneCards
SLC22A6
GenBank Gene Database
AF057039
GenBank Protein Database
3831566
Guide to Pharmacology
1025
UniProt Accession
S22A6_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10972
GeneCards
SLC22A8
GenBank Gene Database
AF097491
GenBank Protein Database
4378059
Guide to Pharmacology
1027
UniProt Accession
S22A8_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10971
GeneCards
SLC22A7
GenBank Gene Database
AF097518
GenBank Protein Database
5001689
UniProt Accession
S22A7_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:25588
GeneCards
SLC47A1
GenBank Gene Database
AK001709
GenBank Protein Database
7023138
Guide to Pharmacology
1216
UniProt Accession
S47A1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:26439
GeneCards
SLC47A2
Guide to Pharmacology
1217
UniProt Accession
S47A2_HUMAN
International reference pricing
8 formulations
Reference pricing from DrugBank. Prices are indicative and may not reflect current UK costs.
From $4.72/capsule
To $19200.00/implant
Ganciclovir 250 mg capsule
$4.72/capsule
Cytovene 250 mg capsule
$5.61/capsule
Cytovene 500 mg capsule
$10.99/capsule
Ganciclovir 500 mg capsule
$19.66/capsule
Zirgan 0.15% ophthalmic gel
$33.60/g
Source: DrugBank. Used under CC BY-NC 4.0 academic licence for non-commercial purposes.
Patent information
1 active patent, 1 expired
9486530
United States
Approved 8 Nov 2016 · Expires 2 Sept 2034
8y 5m
5378475
United States
Approved 3 Jan 1995 · Expires 3 Jan 2012
Expired
Source: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0. Patent data sourced from national patent offices. Expiry dates may not reflect extensions, regulatory exclusivity periods, or legal challenges.
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications:
Knox C., Wilson M., Klinger C.M., et al
DrugBank 6.
0: the DrugBank Knowledgebase for 2024
Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Jan 552(D1):D1265-D1275
Wishart D.S., Feunang Y.D., Guo A.C., et al
DrugBank 5.
0: a major update to the DrugBank database for 2018
Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 Nov 846(D1):D1074-D1082
Show earlier publications
Law V., Knox C., Djoumbou Y., et al
DrugBank 4.
0: shedding new light on drug metabolism
Nucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jan 142(1):D1091-7
Knox C., Law V., Jewison T., et al
DrugBank 3.
0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan39(Database issue):D1035-41
Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et al
DrugBank: a knowledgebase for drugs, drug actions and drug targets.
Nucleic Acids Research
2008 Jan36(Database issue):D901-6
Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et al
DrugBank: a comprehensive resource for in silico drug discovery and exploration.
Nucleic Acids Research
2006 Jan 134(Database issue):D668-72
Source: go.drugbank.comCC BY-NC 4.0
Updated 30 days ago(4 Mar 2026)