The most common adverse events with ganciclovir were leukopenia and 
thrombocytopenia. Leukopenia (absolute neutrophil count < 1000) occurred in 42% of 
patients with AIDS, 41% of bone marrow allograft recipients and 7% of heart allograft 
recipients. Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 50,000 cells/uL occurred in 13% of AIDS 
patients, 57% of bone marrow allograft recipients and 8% of heart allograft recipients. Other 
than leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, a rash, anemia, or abnormal liver function values 
were reported in 2% of treated patients. The following occurred in 1% or fewer ganciclovir 
treated patients and may have been related to the drug: chills, edema, infections, malaise, 
arrhythmia, hypertension, hypotension, central nervous system symptoms (abnormal 
thoughts or dreams, ataxia, coma, confusion, dizziness, headache, nervousness, 
paresthesia, psychosis, somnolence, tremor), gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, 
anorexia, diarrhea, hemorrhage, abdominal pain), eosinophilia, hypoglycemia, dyspnea, 
alopecia, pruritus, urticaria, hematuria, abnormal renal function and pain and/or 
inflammation at the injections site. Adverse events reported in immunocompromised adults 
receiving ganciclovir were primarily granulocytopenia (17%) and thrombocytopenia (10%). 
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Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 20 
