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ZIRGAN

Generic: ganciclovir

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Bausch Lomb
NDC
24208-535
RxCUI
388052
Route
OPHTHALMIC
ICD-10 indication
B00.5

Affordability Check

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About ZIRGAN

What is this medication? Zirgan is a prescription antiviral eye medication that contains the active ingredient ganciclovir. It is specifically used to treat acute herpetic keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea caused by the herpes simplex virus. This condition often results in the formation of dendritic ulcers, or small sores, on the surface of the eye. The medication works by interfering with the DNA synthesis of the virus, thereby preventing it from replicating and allowing the corneal tissue to heal.

This medication is administered as a topical ophthalmic gel directly into the affected eye. It is generally preferred because it selectively targets cells infected by the virus, which can minimize damage to healthy ocular cells compared to some older treatments. Patients are typically advised to use the drops several times a day until the ulcer heals and then reduce the frequency for a few additional days to prevent recurrence. It is important to avoid wearing contact lenses during treatment as the infection and the medication can cause further irritation.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount:
  • XIIDRA and MIEBO: As little as $0.
  • Other Bausch + Lomb portfolio brands: As little as $35 (or $25 at Walgreens and participating independent pharmacies).
  • Patients with no coverage or denied Prior Authorization (PA): $79 per 30-day supply (if PA denied) or $225 per 30-day supply (if PA not submitted).
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit:
  • XIIDRA, MIEBO, VYZULTA, and TIMOPTIC in OCUDOSE: Up to twelve (12) fills per patient in a 12-month period.
  • Other portfolio brands: Up to six (6) fills per product per patient in a 12-month period.
  • Specific maximum dollar benefit: Not Publicly Available.
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions:
  • Must have commercial insurance.
  • Not valid for patients covered by any federal, state, or government-funded healthcare program (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA, DoD).
  • Not valid for individuals 65 years of age or older without commercial insurance.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older to redeem.
  • Valid only in the United States and its territories.
  • Residents of California and Massachusetts are ineligible for products where a therapeutically equivalent generic is available.
  • Not valid for "Not Covered" patients (uninsured or those whose plan does not cover the drug) except where specific "Not Covered" pricing is designated.
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available.

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for ZIRGAN. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Feb 5, 2026

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ZIRGAN is indicated for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers) in adults and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older. ZIRGAN is a nucleoside analog antiviral indicated for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers) in adults and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage is 1 drop in the affected eye 5 times per day (approximately every 3 hours while awake) until the corneal ulcer heals, and then 1 drop 3 times per day for 7 days. Apply 1 drop in the affected eye 5 times per day (approximately every 3 hours while awake) until the corneal ulcer heals, and then 1 drop 3 times per day for 7 days. ( 2 )
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None.
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ZIRGAN is indicated for topical ophthalmic use only. ( 5.1 ) Patients should not wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of herpetic keratitis or during the course of therapy with ZIRGAN. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Topical Ophthalmic Use Only ZIRGAN is indicated for topical ophthalmic use only. 5.2 Avoidance of Contact Lenses Patients should not wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of herpetic keratitis or during the course of therapy with ZIRGAN. 5.3 Risk of Contamination Do not allow the tip of the container to touch any surface, as this may contaminate the ointment. If pain develops, or if redness, itching, or inflammation becomes aggravated, the patient should be advised to consult a physician.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions reported in patients were blurred vision (60%), eye irritation (20%), punctate keratitis (5%), and conjunctival hyperemia (5%). Most common adverse reactions were blurred vision (60%), eye irritation (20%), punctate keratitis (5%), and conjunctival hyperemia (5%). ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, at 1-800-553-5340 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available human data on use of ZIRGAN or ganciclovir during pregnancy to inform any drug-associated risk. Intravenous administration of ganciclovir to pregnant mice or rabbits during organogenesis or during the pre/postnatal period did not produce adverse embryofetal or offspring effects at clinically relevant doses (see Data ) . The background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2 to 4% and the risk of miscarriage is 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data Daily intravenous doses of ganciclovir were administered to pregnant mice [up to 108 mg/kg/day, approximately 1400 times the maximum recommended human ocular dose (RHOD) of 0.375 mg] and rabbits [up to 60 mg/kg/day, approximately 2400 times the maximum RHOD], and also to female mice [up to 90 mg/kg, approximately 1174 times the maximum RHOD] prior to mating, during gestation, and during lactation. Fetal resorptions were present in at least 85% of rabbits and mice. Additional effects observed in rabbits included fetal growth retardation, embryolethality, teratogenicity, and/or maternal toxicity. Teratogenic changes included cleft palate, anophthalmia/microphthalmia, aplastic organs (kidney and pancreas), hydrocephaly and brachygnathia. A maternal no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was observed at 36 mg/kg/day (approximately 470 times higher than the maximum RHOD, based on body surface area) in mice and at 6 mg/kg/day (approximately 240 times higher than the maximum RHOD, based on body surface area) in rabbits. In pre/postnatal development studies in mice, there were maternal/fetal toxicity and embryolethality which included fetal effects of hypoplasia of the testes and seminal vesicles in the male offspring, as well as pathologic changes in the nonglandular region of the stomach. A maternal no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was observed at 20 mg/kg/day (approximately 261 times higher than the maximum RHOD, based on body surface area).

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How ZIRGAN appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

69%

3,807 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 4

On 77% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

0%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)40
17%
Tier 2 (generic)2
1%
Tier 3 (preferred brand)13
5%
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)186
77%

Step therapy: 1% of formularies

Quantity limits: 6% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 241 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

Related drugs

How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.