Is Zirgan (ganciclovir) a steroid?

No, Zirgan (ganciclovir) isn't a [steroid](https://www.goodrx.com/classes/corticosteroids); it's an antiviral medication that's used to treat a herpes infection in your eye. Steroid eye drops help lessen eye inflammation, but they don't fight the virus itself like Zirgan (ganciclovir) does. Steroid eye drops typically [aren't recommended](https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(19)32362-0/fulltext) for [herpetic keratitis](https://www.cdc.gov/contact-lenses/causes/what-causes-hsv-herpes-simplex-virus-keratitis.html) because they can worsen the infection, but they might be used [if there's severe inflammation](https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/eye-disorders/corneal-disorders/herpes-simplex-keratitis#Diagnosis_v26622389).

Does Zirgan (ganciclovir) burn the eyes?

It's possible for you to feel a burning sensation in the eye after you place the Zirgan (ganciclovir) drop in your eye. But studies show that it's [rare](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2704535/), especially when compared to other eye ointments. Let your prescriber know if you feel burning in the eyes and it's too bothersome. They might switch you to a different medication.

Zirgan

ganciclovir

Used for Herpes

Zirgan, also known by its generic name ganciclovir, is an antiviral eye drop medication. It's used to treat herpetic keratitis or dendritic ulcer, which is an eye infection due to herpes simplex virus (HSV). Zirgan (ganciclovir) is approved for adults and children 2 years and older. It comes as a gel that's placed as a drop directly into the affected eye(s). The dosage is typically taken every 3 hours while awake, then 3 times per day for a week after the eye heals. The most common side effects are blurry vision and eye irritation.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on August 13, 2024

What is Zirgan (ganciclovir)?

What is Zirgan (ganciclovir) used for?

Eye infection due to herpes simplex virus (herpetic keratitis) in people ages 2 years and older

How Zirgan (ganciclovir) works

Zirgan (ganciclovir) is an antiviral medication. It works by stopping herpes simplex virus (HSV) from making genetic material (DNA). This prevents the virus from making copies of itself and spreading.

Are you looking for information on ganciclovir injection (Cytovene) instead?

Drug facts

Common BrandsZirgan

Drug ClassAntiviral

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityPrescription only

Side effects of Zirgan (ganciclovir)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Blurry vision (60%)
Eye irritation (20%)

Less Common Side Effects

Eye swelling
Eye redness

Source: DailyMed

The following Zirgan (ganciclovir) side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Blurred vision

red, sore eyes

Less common

Painful irritation of the clear front part of the eye

redness of the white part of eyes or inside of the eyelids

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Avg retail price

$535.69(Save 13.02%)

GoodRx discount

$465.94

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Pros and cons of Zirgan (ganciclovir)

Pros

Few side effects
Approved for children as young as 2 years old

Cons

Need to use every 3 hours while awake until the eye heals
Not known whether it's safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding

Pharmacist tips for Zirgan (ganciclovir)

Make sure to use Zirgan (ganciclovir) for the full amount of time your prescriber told you to, even if your eye starts to get better. Stopping Zirgan (ganciclovir) too soon can cause your infection to come back and possibly be harder to treat.
Carefully review how to use the Zirgan (ganciclovir) eye drops. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Wash your hands before you put Zirgan (ganciclovir) drops in your eye. Don't touch the bottle tip with your fingers, and don't let the tip touch your eye or any other surface. This helps you avoid eye infections from using medication that's been contaminated with germs.
To put the eye drops into your eye, tilt your head back and look up. Then, gently pull your lower eyelid down with one hand to form a pocket. Using the other hand, take the Zirgan (ganciclovir) bottle, hold it upside down above your eye, and squeeze a drop of medication into the eye. Then, close your eye and lightly press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by the nose for 1 minute.
If you need to use other eye drop medications in addition to Zirgan (ganciclovir), wait at least 5 minutes between each medication. This lets your eye fully absorb each medication.
Let your care team know if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. It's not known how safe Zirgan (ganciclovir) during pregnancy or while breastfeeding because it hasn't been studied. Your care team can discuss with you about the risks and benefits of using this medication while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Store the Zirgan (ganciclovir) bottle at room temperature (up to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Don't put the medication in the refrigerator or freezer.

Common questions about Zirgan

It's not exactly clear how long it takes for Zirgan to start working. But studies generally show that the medication can help heal eye infection from HSV (e.g., eye ulcers) within 7 days of starting treatment. Contact your prescriber if you're concerned with how well Zirgan is working for you.

No, Zirgan isn't a steroid; it's an antiviral medication that's used to treat a herpes infection in your eye. Steroid eye drops help lessen eye inflammation, but they don't fight the virus itself like Zirgan does. Steroid eye drops typically aren't recommended for herpetic keratitis because they can worsen the infection, but they might be used if there's severe inflammation.

Yes, erythromycin eye ointment and Zirgan can be used together if you have both a herpes infection and bacterial infection in your eye(s). Erythromycin is an antibiotic that can fight bacterial infections, and Zirgan is an antiviral medication that treats the herpes viral infection. It's best to first apply Zirgan drops, wait 5 minutes, then apply the erythromycin eye ointment. This makes sure your eye fully absorbs each medication.

In general, it's best to avoid wearing contact lenses when you have an eye infection. This helps prevent the infection from worsening and prevent your eye from getting more irritated. Additionally, putting your contact lenses in an infected eye can contaminate the lenses, which can then spread the infection. Talk to your prescriber about when it's safe to wear contacts again.

Zirgan is typically used for about 7 days. But your prescriber might tell you to use the drops for a longer period of time based on how severe your infection is and how your progress with treatment seems to be going (how well your infection is getting treated and how well your eye symptoms are improving). Ask your prescriber if you're not sure how long you should be using Zirgan for.

It's possible for you to feel a burning sensation in the eye after you place the Zirgan drop in your eye. But studies show that it's rare, especially when compared to other eye ointments. Let your prescriber know if you feel burning in the eyes and it's too bothersome. They might switch you to a different medication.

Both trifluridine (Viroptic) and Zirgan are antiviral eye medications that treats herpetic keratitis (herpes infection in the eye). One difference is how often they're each used. Zirgan is applied every 3 hours while you're awake until the infection heals, then 3 times a day for a week. On the other hand, trifluridine (Viroptic) is applied every 2 hours while awake until the infection heals, then every 4 hours while awake for a week. Although trifluridine (Viroptic) is available as a brand-name medication and lower-cost generic, Zirgan is brand name only. Talk to your optometrist or ophthalmologist if you have more questions about comparing the two medications.

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Risks and warnings for Zirgan (ganciclovir)

Zirgan (ganciclovir) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Only for use on the surface of the eye

Since Zirgan (ganciclovir) is an eye drop medication, you should only place the medication onto the surface of the eye. Don't put Zirgan (ganciclovir) in your mouth, ears, or any other place on your body.

Don't wear contact lenses while you're using the medication

Don't wear contact lenses while you're using Zirgan (ganciclovir). It's also generally a good idea to avoid wearing your contacts when you have an eye infection so that your eye can heal and so that your eye doesn't get even more irritated. Your prescriber will let you know when the infection is gone and when it's safe to wear contact lenses again.

Zirgan (ganciclovir) dosage

The average cost for 1 bottle of 5g of 0.15% of Zirgan (ganciclovir) is $25.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 95.33% off the average retail price of $535.69.

Bottle of gel

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
5g of 0.15%	1 bottle	$25.00	$25.00

Typical dosage for Zirgan (ganciclovir)

The typical dose is 1 drop in the infected eye five times per day (about every 3 hours while you're awake). Once your eye heals, the dose gets lowered to 1 drop in the infected eye three times per day for 7 more days.

Interactions between Zirgan (ganciclovir) and other drugs

Zirgan (ganciclovir) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Zirgan (ganciclovir). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

How much does Zirgan (ganciclovir) cost?

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Zirgan (brand)

GoodRx lowest price

$25.00

(save 95.33%)

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What are alternatives to Zirgan (ganciclovir)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Zirgan (ganciclovir). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Zirgan (ganciclovir)

Used for:

Eye infection due to herpes simplex virus (herpetic keratitis) in people ages 2 years and older

$25.00Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Trifluridine (Viroptic)

Used for:

Inflammation caused by herpes infections in the eye

$61.64Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

News about Zirgan (ganciclovir)

How Much Is Zirgan Without Insurance?

Zirgan can cost more than $500 for 1 bottle. But there are many ways to save. Read on to learn more about how much Zirgan costs without insurance.

Zirgan (ganciclovir) images

This medicine is Colorless Bottle Of Gel.

References

Best studies we found

Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. (2024). Zirgan- ganciclovir gel [package insert]. DailyMed.

Bunya, V. Y. (2024). Herpes simplex keratitis. Merck Manual Consumer Version.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). What causes HSV (herpes simplex virus) keratitis.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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