Prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a regular practice in organ transplantation. Oral valganciclovir appears to be an interesting alternative to the usual intravenous formWe prospectively compared the response of intravenous ganciclovir (GAN) for 2 weeks [n. 41] to two weeks (VAL2w) [n. 23] and three months (VAL3m) [n. 46] oral valganciclovir in kidney transplant recipients receiving induction immunosuppression. CMV antigenemia assay (AA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for viral detection. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months post transplantation. The SPSS software was used for statistical analysis using a cutoff point of significance as p<0.05. There was no statistical difference in the demographic features among the study groups. However, human leucocytic antigen (HLA) match was better in VAL3m group and the number of patients who received antithymocyte globulin (ATG) was higher in GAN group (100%). The incidence of acute rejection was not different among the study groups. There was higher incidence of fever and positive CMV test in VAL2w group (p 0.035) while leucopenia with negative CMV test was significantly higher in VAL3m group (p 0.04). The incidence of CMV infection was higher in VAL2w group (26%) compared to GAN group (14.6%) and VAL3m group (2.2%). Renal function was significantly less in VAL2w group (p 0.02). Three months oral valganciclovir prophylaxis for CMV is an effective regimen compared to intravenous ganciclovir for two weeks. Shorter courses are associated with higher incidence of CMV infection and poorer graft function.