What is "valganciclovir"

n. An antiviral medication used to treat cytomegalovirus infections, converted to ganciclovir inside the body by intestinal and hepatic esterases.

Valganciclovir (Valcyte, manufactured by Hoffmann–La Roche, and also known as Cymeval, Valcyt, Valixa, Darilin, Rovalcyte, Patheon, and Syntex) is an antiviral medication used to treat cytomegalovirus infections. As the L- valyl ester of ganciclovir, it is actually a prodrug for ganciclovir. After oral administration, it is rapidly converted to ganciclovir by intestinal and hepatic esterases.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medications needed in a basic health system.