What Is Zirgan? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Zirgan is a prescription antiviral medication used to treat an eye infection called acute herpetic keratitis — a painful corneal infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It comes as a clear ophthalmic gel applied directly to the eye. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know: what it is, what it treats, how to use it, its side effects, how much it costs, and how to find it in stock.

What Is Zirgan?

Zirgan is the brand name for ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15%, manufactured by Bausch + Lomb. It belongs to the nucleoside analog antiviral drug class — the same class as acyclovir and valacyclovir. FDA approved in September 2009, Zirgan was the first new ophthalmic antiviral approved in the United States in 30 years at the time of its approval.

Outside the US, the same drug is marketed under the name Virgan (in Europe, where it was first approved in 1995). There is currently no FDA-approved generic version of Zirgan available in the United States.

What Is Zirgan Used For?

Zirgan is FDA-approved for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers) in adults and pediatric patients 2 years and older. Herpetic keratitis is a corneal infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) — the same virus responsible for cold sores. It is the leading infectious cause of unilateral corneal blindness in developed countries and affects an estimated 500,000 Americans per year.

Symptoms of herpetic keratitis include:

Eye pain and a foreign body sensation

Redness and tearing

Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

Blurred vision in the affected eye

Visible dendritic (branch-like) ulcer on the cornea under slit-lamp examination

How Is Zirgan Used?

Zirgan comes as a sterile, preserved, clear, colorless ophthalmic gel in a 5-gram aluminum tube. The dosing regimen is:

Active phase: 1 drop in the affected eye 5 times per day (approximately every 3 hours while awake) until the corneal ulcer heals

Maintenance phase: 1 drop 3 times per day for 7 more days after healing is confirmed by your doctor

Most patients experience clinical resolution (healed ulcer) within 7 days of starting Zirgan. Treatment usually spans 2–3 weeks total. Always complete the full course — stopping early can allow the virus to reactivate.

How Do I Apply Zirgan Correctly?

Wash your hands thoroughly before each application

Tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket

Hold the tube upside down above the eye and squeeze one drop into the lower eyelid pocket

Close your eye gently for 1–2 minutes

Do not touch the tip to your eye, finger, or any surface — contamination can cause infection

Who Should Not Use Zirgan?

Zirgan has no absolute contraindications listed in its FDA labeling. However, it should not be used if you:

Are allergic to ganciclovir or any ingredient in the formulation

Are a child under 2 years of age (safety/efficacy not established)

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. While systemic absorption from ophthalmic use is extremely low (maximum daily dose is only 0.375 mg), safety in pregnancy has not been fully established.

How Much Does Zirgan Cost?

Zirgan has a retail price of $571–$650 for one 5g tube without insurance. With the Bausch + Lomb Access Program, insured patients may pay as little as $25 and uninsured patients as little as $70. GoodRx coupons can reduce the price at some pharmacies to approximately $35. There is no generic version available.

How to Find Zirgan in Stock Near You

Zirgan is a specialty medication not stocked at every pharmacy. If your pharmacy doesn't have it, use medfinder to quickly find which pharmacies near you carry it. See our full guide: How to Find Zirgan In Stock Near You.