Valganciclovir is the L-valyl ester (prodrug) of ganciclovir. After oral administration, valganciclovir is rapidly and extensively metabolized to ganciclovir by intestinal and hepatic esterases. Ganciclovir is a synthetic analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine and inhibits the replication of herpes viruses in vitro and in vivo. Susceptible human viruses include human cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), human herpesvirus 6, 7 and 8 (HSV-6, HSV-7, HSV-8), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella virus (VVV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).