Ganciclovir is a synthetic acyclic nucleoside analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine active against cytomegalovirus. Ganciclovir has been shown to be active against cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in humans. To achieve anti-CMV activity, ganciclovir is phosphorylated first to the monophosphate form by a CMV-encoded (UL97 gene) protein kinase homologue, then to the di- and triphosphate forms by cellular kinases. Ganciclovir triphosphate concentrations may be 100-fold greater in CMV-infected than in uninfected cells, indicating preferential phosphorylation in infected cells. Ganciclovir triphosphate, once formed, persists for days in the CMV-infected cell. Ganciclovir triphosphate is believed to inhibit viral DNA synthesis by (1) competitive inhibition of viral DNA polymerases; and (2) incorporation into viral DNA, resulting in eventual termination of viral DNA elongation. Ganciclovir is indicated for the treatment of CMV retinitis in immunocompromised patients, including patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis.

Amphotericin B used to treat progressive, potentially life-threatening fungal infections, such as oral thrush, vaginal candidiasis and esophageal candidiasis in patients with normal neutrophil counts. Also, Amphotericin B is often used in otherwise-untreatable protozoan infections such as visceral leishmaniasis and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. As with other polyene antifungals, amphotericin B binds with ergosterol, a component of fungal cell membranes, forming a transmembrane channel that leads to monovalent ion (K+, Na+, H+ and Cl−) leakage, which is the primary effect leading to fungal cell death. When administered concurrently, the following drugs may interact with amphotericin B: Antineoplastic agents, Corticosteroids and Corticotropin (ACTH); Digitalis glycosides; Flucytosine; Imidazoles (e.g., ketoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, fluconazole, etc.); Zidovudine; Skeletal muscle relaxants (tubocurarine); Rifabutin; Leukocyte transfusions. The adverse reactions most commonly observed are: fever; malaise; weight loss; hypotension; tachypnea; anorexia; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; dyspepsia; cramping epigastric pain; normochromic, normocytic anemia; pain at the injection site with or without phlebitis or thrombophlebitis; generalized pain, including muscle and joint pains; headache; decreased renal function and renal function abnormalities.