Zirgan

Zirgan is part of the drug class:

• Opthalmic antivirals

Contraindications

• Manufacturer states none.1

Warnings/Precautions

Administration Precautions

For topical ophthalmic use only.1

Do not wear contact lenses during topical treatment with ganciclovir gel or if any signs or symptoms of herpetic keratitis are present.1

Specific Populations

Category C.1

Use only if potential benefits to the woman justify risks to the fetus.1

No adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women;1 IV ganciclovir associated with embryotoxicity, teratogenicity, and/or maternal toxicity in animal studies.1

Not known whether distributed into milk after topical application to the eye.1

Use with caution in nursing women.1

Safety and efficacy not established in children <2 years of age.1

No overall differences in safety or efficacy observed between geriatric and younger patients.1

Common Adverse Effects

Blurred vision, eye irritation, punctate keratitis, conjunctival hyperemia.1

• To avoid contaminating ganciclovir ophthalmic gel, advise patients that tip of the dispensing dropper should not be allowed to touch any surface.1

• Importance of contacting a clinician if pain develops or if redness, itching, or inflammation becomes aggravated.1

• Advise patients not to wear contact lenses during treatment with ganciclovir ophthalmic gel.1

• Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.1

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.1

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.1

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Your eye doctor will want to examine your eye(s) at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly and is not causing unwanted effects.

Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine to avoid further eye irritation.

If you develop pain, or symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

• Store at room temperature. Do not freeze.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Zirgan or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Zirgan. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Review Date: October 4, 2017

You should not use Zirgan if you are allergic to ganciclovir or acyclovir (Zovirax).

Zirgan is not a cure for cytomegalovirus or herpes. This medication will not treat symptoms of these infections in any other part of the body.

To make sure you can safely use Zirgan, tell your doctor if you have low levels of platelets in your blood (easy bruising or bleeding), or an infection in any part of your body (other than your eyes).

Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Zirgan. You should not wear contact lenses at any time you have an active eye ulcer or infection.

You should not use Zirgan if you are allergic to ganciclovir or acyclovir (Zovirax).

To make sure you can safely use Zirgan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• an infection in any part of your body (other than your eyes); or

• low levels of platelets in your blood (easy bruising or bleeding).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Zirgan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Ganciclovir can decrease sperm count and may affect a man's fertility (ability to have children). It is not known whether ganciclovir passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Zirgan without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Zirgan gel should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on Zirgan used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.