title: Pharmacokinetics of antiviral agents for the treatment of cytomegalovirus infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and other advantages and disadvantages of ganciclovir and valganciclovir are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shortcomings of oral ganciclovir include low bioavailability, large pill burden, patient nonadherence, and the emergence of resistance. Valganciclovir, an oral prodrug of ganciclovir, has a nearly tenfold greater absolute bioavailability than ganciclovir. Dosage adjustment is required for both drugs in patients with renal impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pharmacokinetic profile of valganciclovir offers significant advantages for its use in cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Coordinator, Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. bailliem@musc.edu
authors.forename: G Mark
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Baillie
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents