Key takeaways
Trifluridine (Viroptic) and ganciclovir (Zirgan) are both antiviral eye medications used to treat herpes infections in the eye, specifically herpetic keratitis. While they share this purpose, they differ in several ways. Trifluridine is a nucleoside analog antiviral available in both brand-name and generic forms, and it is used for people aged 6 years and older. It requires frequent application, every 2 hours while awake, with a maximum of 9 drops per day. In contrast, ganciclovir is available only as a brand-name gel and is approved for use in children as young as 2 years old. It is applied every 3 hours while awake until the infection heals, then three times a day for a week. Trifluridine must be refrigerated, while ganciclovir is stored at room temperature. Common side effects of trifluridine include temporary burning or stinging, whereas ganciclovir may cause blurry vision and eye irritation. Additionally, trifluridine is not recommended for use longer than 21 days due to the risk of eye damage, while ganciclovir's safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not well established.
