TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

CIDOFOVIR

Infectious Disease Approved 2012-06-27

Cidofovir treats CMV retinitis in patients living with AIDS. It is used specifically to manage this viral eye infection, though it has not been established for other types of CMV diseases or for patients who are not HIV-positive. This medication helps prevent the progression of the virus in the eye to protect the patient's vision.

Source: FDA Label • Viatris

How CIDOFOVIR Works

This medication works by selectively blocking the synthesis of viral DNA, which prevents the cytomegalovirus from replicating. Its active form inhibits the viral DNA polymerase much more effectively than it affects human DNA polymerases. When the drug is incorporated into the growing viral DNA chain, it slows down the overall rate of viral production.

Source: FDA Label
2
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
13
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2012-06-27
Routes
INTRAVENOUS
Dosage Forms
SOLUTION

Companies

Active Ingredient: CIDOFOVIR

CIDOFOVIR Approval History

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
3 FDA actions from 2012 to 2013
Jan 2013 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jul 2012 ORIGINAL
Update
Jun 2012 ORIGINAL
Update

What CIDOFOVIR Treats

2 indications

CIDOFOVIR is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 2012. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Source: FDA Label

CIDOFOVIR Boxed Warning

WARNING RENAL IMPAIRMENT IS THE MAJOR TOXICITY OF CIDOFOVIR INJECTION. CASES OF ACUTE RENAL FAILURE RESULTING IN DIALYSIS AND/OR CONTRIBUTING TO DEATH HAVE OCCURRED WITH AS FEW AS ONE OR TWO DOSES OF CIDOFOVIR INJECTION. TO REDUCE POSSIBLE NEPHROTOXICITY, INTRAVENOUS PREHYDRATION WITH NORMAL SALINE AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROBENECID MUST BE USED WITH EACH CIDOFOVIR INJECTION INFUSION. RENAL FUNCTION (SERUM CREATININE AND URINE PROTEIN) MUST BE MONITORED WITHIN 48 HOURS PRIOR TO EACH DOSE OF CIDOFO...

CIDOFOVIR Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to CIDOFOVIR

3 of 6

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

FOSCAVIR
FOSCARNET SODIUM
2 shared
CLINIGEN HLTHCARE
Shared indications:
Cytomegalovirus RetinitisAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
VALCYTE
VALGANCICLOVIR HYDROCHLORIDE
2 shared
CHEPLAPHARM
Shared indications:
Cytomegalovirus RetinitisAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
FOSCARNET SODIUM
FOSCARNET SODIUM
1 shared
Fresenius Kabi
Shared indications:
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
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Clinical Trial Registry

6 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT07387367 ENOVIA BCV-PA02 Ph 3 recruiting A Phase 3 Trial to Compare IV BCV Versus IV CDV for Treatment of Adenovirus Infection After Allo-HCT
NCT01295645 2010-0518 NCI-2011-00250 Ph 2 active not recruiting Cidofovir Versus Best Supportive Care for Hemorrhagic Cystitis
NCT02931539 results posted SHP620-303 2015-004725-13 Ph 3 completed Efficacy and Safety Study of Maribavir Treatment Compared to Investigator-assigned Treatment in Transplant Recipients With Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infections That Are Refractory or Resistant to Treatment With Ganciclovir, Valganciclovir, Foscarnet, or Cidofovir
NCT02567149 Version 1.0 Ph 2 withdrawn Intralesional Cidofovir for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Warts in the Pediatric Immune-suppressed Population.
NCT01816646 2012-0903 NCI-2013-02184 Ph 1 completed Intravesical Cidofovir for Hemorrhagic Cystitis
NCT02976987 CHUB-POST-Colvir II Ph 2 completed A Prolongation of a Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of an Aqueous Gel Containing 2% (w/w) of Cidofovir, Directly Applied on the Cervix Exhibiting High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions.
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

CIDOFOVIR FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

CIDOFOVIR is indicated for the treatment of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING RENAL IMPAIRMENT IS THE MAJOR TOXICITY OF CIDOFOVIR INJECTION. CASES OF ACUTE RENAL FAILURE RESULTING IN DIALYSIS AND/OR CONTRIBUTING TO DEATH HAVE OCCURRED WITH AS FEW AS ONE OR TWO DOSES OF CIDOFOVIR INJECTION. TO REDUCE POSSIBLE NEPHROTOXICITY, INTRAVENOUS PREHYDRATION WITH NORMAL SALINE ...

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.