Once you start taking Valganciclovir, do you need to take it for a long time?

Valganciclovir (Valganciclovir) is an antiviral drug mainly used to prevent and treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, especially in immunocompromised patients, such as organ transplant recipients or AIDS patients. The drug blocks viral replication by inhibiting the activity of viral DNA polymerase. For these high-risk groups, once Vancevir is started, it is usually recommended to adhere to regular medication throughout the susceptible or high-risk period to ensure that the virus is effectively suppressed and reduce the risk of recurrence or acute attack.

The necessity of long-term medication depends on the patient's underlying condition and immune status. For example, during postoperative immunosuppressive treatment, organ transplant patients are prone to CMV reactivation due to suppressed immune function. Therefore, even if symptoms are relieved, the entire course of prophylaxis or maintenance therapy is usually required to avoid viral rebound or damage to the transplanted organ. Clinically, doctors will decide the length of treatment and dose adjustment based on the patient's blood viral load and immune indicators to achieve the best balance between efficacy and safety.

However, for some patients, such as those with mild infection or those whose immune function is gradually recovering, doctors may evaluate whether the course of treatment can be shortened or the drug can be discontinued after reaching specific treatment goals, while strictly monitoring the viral load. In this case, the drug needs to be discontinued gradually, and hematological indicators, liver and kidney functions, and viral dynamic changes must be closely observed to prevent recurrence or drug resistance problems. Patients must not interrupt medication on their own to avoid virus rebound and serious complications.

Generally speaking, once Vancevir is started, most high-risk patients need to adhere to the full course of treatment to ensure that the virus is effectively suppressed and the risk of recurrence is reduced. Clinically, a personalized plan should be developed according to the individual patient's condition, including treatment length, dose adjustment and follow-up monitoring. Adhering to the medication as prescribed by the doctor and cooperating with regular examinations are key measures to ensure that Vancevir exerts its best efficacy and ensures medication safety.

Reference:https://reference.medscape.com/