Pronunciation: gan-SYE-kloe-vir
Generic Name: Ganciclovir
Brand Name: Zirgan
Zirgan Gel is used for:
Treating acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers).
Zirgan Gel is an antiviral. It works by stopping the herpes simplex virus from replicating.
Do NOT use Zirgan Gel if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Zirgan Gel
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Zirgan Gel:
Some medical conditions may interact with Zirgan Gel. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zirgan Gel. However, no specific interactions with Zirgan Gel are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Zirgan Gel may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Zirgan Gel:
Use Zirgan Gel as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Zirgan Gel is only for the eye. Do not get it in your nose or mouth. If you get it in these areas, rinse right away with cool water.
- Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Zirgan Gel. Take care of your contact lenses as directed by the manufacturer. Check with your doctor before you use them.
- To use Zirgan Gel in the eye, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eyelid for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
- To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
- To clear up your infection completely, use Zirgan Gel for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
- If you miss a dose of Zirgan Gel, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zirgan Gel.
Important safety information:
- Zirgan Gel may cause blurred vision. Use Zirgan Gel with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks if you cannot see clearly.
- Zirgan Gel may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
- Zirgan Gel should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zirgan Gel while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zirgan Gel is found in breast milk after topical use. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zirgan Gel, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Zirgan Gel:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred vision; mild eye irritation.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); new or worsening eye pain, redness, itching, or swelling; severe or persistent eye irritation.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch .
See also: Zirgan side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Zirgan Gel:
Store Zirgan Gel at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zirgan Gel out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Zirgan Gel, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Zirgan Gel is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zirgan Gel. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Zirgan resources
- Zirgan Side Effects (in more detail)
- Zirgan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Zirgan Support Group
- 1 Review for Zirgan - Add your own review/rating
Compare Zirgan with other medications
- Herpes Simplex Dendritic Keratitis
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