title: Ganciclovir implant in the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis.
abstract: The ganciclovir implant is a sustained-release intraocular drug delivery system used to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis that provides a high and steady-state concentration of the drug in the vitreous cavity over a period of 7-8 months. Randomized, controlled clinical trials have demonstrated a superior efficacy of the implant compared with intravenous ganciclovir. Severe adverse events associated with the implant are uncommon, though potentially blinding. In addition, the implant provides no protection against second-eye or visceral cytomegalovirus retinitis infections. This review summarizes the clinical indications for and complications associated with the ganciclovir implant.
authors.affiliation: The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. mchang19@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004343:Drug Implants; D015774:Ganciclovir