Zirgan

Cytomegalovirus Retinitis, Keratitis, Herpetic, CMV colitis + 9 more
Treatment
20 Active Studies for Zirgan

What is Zirgan

GanciclovirThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryGanciclovir is a medication used to treat infections caused by the Herpesvirus family, especially cytomegalovirus, which can be a complication of AIDS. Ganciclovir is an analog of acyclovir and is very effective in treating these virus infections.
Vitrasertis the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Zirgan Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Vitrasert
Ganciclovir
1996
11

Effectiveness

How Zirgan Affects PatientsGanciclovir is a drug used to fight various types of herpes viruses, including CMV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, EBV, and VZV. It works by blocking the DNA replication of the virus and preventing it from spreading to other cells. Ganciclovir is a synthetic version of a natural nucleoside (2'-deoxyguanosine) and is similar in structure to acyclovir.
How Zirgan works in the bodyGanciclovir works by disrupting the replication of the herpes virus. It is converted into an active form by an enzyme found in the virus. This form then blocks the virus’s DNA from growing and replicating. It takes the place of adenosine bases in the DNA strand, preventing it from forming new strands. Ganciclovir is more effective at blocking the virus than the body’s own DNA polymerase, and once it is removed, the virus’s DNA can begin to replicate again.

When to interrupt dosage

The endorsed amount of Zirgan is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, including Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Cytomegalovirus Retinitis and Immunocompromised. The measure of dosage differs as per the technique of delivery (e.g. Intravenous or Gel) featured in the table beneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
varicella-zoster virus acute retinal necrosis
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Cytomegalovirus gastroesophagitis
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
HIV
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Cytomegalovirus Infections
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Keratitis, Herpetic
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Herpes zoster disease
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
CMV colitis
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Immunocompromised
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Cytomegalovirus Infections
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution
Cytomegalovirus
250.0 mg, , 500.0 mg, 4.5 mg, 0.0015 mg/mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Intravitreal, Implant, Ophthalmic, Gel, Gel - Ophthalmic, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Implant - Intravitreal, Intraventricular, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intraventricular, Intravenous, Capsule, Injection, solution

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Zirgan.
Common Zirgan Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Abemaciclib
Major
The excretion of Abemaciclib can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Procainamide
Major
The excretion of Procainamide can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Topotecan
Major
The excretion of Topotecan can be decreased when combined with Ganciclovir.
Aclidinium
Minor
Ganciclovir may decrease the excretion rate of Aclidinium which could result in a higher serum level.
Acrivastine
Minor
Ganciclovir may decrease the excretion rate of Acrivastine which could result in a higher serum level.
Zirgan Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lethal dose of methotrexate in mice is greater than 2g/kg when taken orally, and greater than 150mg/kg when given intravenously in dogs. Overdosing on methotrexate can lead to decreased production of blood cells, worsening gastrointestinal symptoms, and kidney failure. It is also thought to be a carcinogen.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Zirgan Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Zirgan?

142 ongoing studies are assessing the potential of Zirgan to combat Cytomegalovirus Retinitis, Cytomegalovirus Infections and Cytomegalovirus Gastroesophagitis.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
CMV colitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Herpes zoster disease
0 Actively Recruiting
HIV
155 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
0 Actively Recruiting
varicella-zoster virus acute retinal necrosis
0 Actively Recruiting
Cytomegalovirus Infections
0 Actively Recruiting
Keratitis, Herpetic
0 Actively Recruiting
Cytomegalovirus
0 Actively Recruiting
Cytomegalovirus gastroesophagitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable
Immunocompromised
3 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1
Cytomegalovirus Infections
3 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2

Zirgan Reviews: What are patients saying about Zirgan?

5Patient Review
8/25/2013
Zirgan for Infection of the Cornea of the Eye with Ulcer Formation
Viroptic has been my go-to in the past, but this time my doctor gave me something different. I hated it. It did eventually work, but it was a slow process and painful the whole time. Even now, months later, if my eye is under stress I feel pain in that same spot. Not worth it.
5Patient Review
4/19/2012
Zirgan for Infection of the Cornea of the Eye with Ulcer Formation
My son was prescribed this for an infection of the eye, and it worked well. We're dealing with a recurrence now, and I'm hoping it will be just as effective the second time around.
5Patient Review
10/15/2010
Zirgan for Infection of the Cornea of the Eye with Ulcer Formation
This drug has been a life-saver for me. I have a recurrent eye infection/virus that Viroptic, the standard treatment, is highly ineffective against and actually makes my condition worse. Zirgan/Virgan is much less toxic and finally available in the US after 10 years of use in Europe.
4.7Patient Review
6/8/2010
Zirgan for Infection of the Cornea of the Eye with Ulcer Formation
4Patient Review
10/10/2017
Zirgan for Infection of the Cornea of the Eye with Ulcer Formation
Zirgan was prescribed to me for my shingles outbreaks. It worked very well and within a week the pain was gone. The only issue I have now is that my vision is still blurry.
3.7Patient Review
9/20/2017
Zirgan for Infection of the Cornea of the Eye with Ulcer Formation
I started taking this medication today for my eye and so far it's been pretty painful. I'm wondering how long it will be before I start seeing results.
2.7Patient Review
6/20/2013
Zirgan for Infection of the Cornea of the Eye with Ulcer Formation
Zirgan has been a life saver. I have herpes simplex in my eye which caused redness and lesions around the lower lid. My doctor recently prescribed me Zirgan, and after five applications per day, my redness had disappeared and my vision was back on track. I'm extremely grateful to the doctors and FDA for issuing this drug so that I can see clearly through my right eye again.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about zirgan

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What is Zirgan used for?

"Zirgan is a gel that contains the antiviral medication ganciclovir. It is used to treat herpes infections of the eye."

Answered by AI

How quickly does Zirgan work?

"Most people who take Zirgan for a herpes infection of the eye will see the ulcers heal within seven days. Be sure to keep any follow-up appointments to ensure that the infection is going away properly."

Answered by AI

How do I apply Zirgan gel to my eye?

"To avoid contaminating your medication, do not touch the tip of the container to any surface, including your eye. The pump head of the container is sterile. Instill your medication into the space between your lower eyelid and eyeball by depressing the plunger that is part of the pump head. Look up and away from the container as you depress the plunger. Do not allow the tip of the container to come into contact with your eye or any other surface. Wipe off any excess medication from your eyelids or lower eyelid with a clean tissue.

To use Zirgan Gel, wash your hands and apply the medication to the affected eye as directed by your doctor. Apply the medication 5 times a day until the eye has healed, and then 3 times a day for 7 more days."

Answered by AI

Is Zirgan still available?

"There is no version of the medication Zirgan that is therapeutically equivalent in the United States as of August 10, 2022. It is possible that there may be fraudulent online pharmacies that attempt to sell an illegal generic version of Zirgan, which may be counterfeit and potentially unsafe."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Zirgan

Image of University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, United States.

Olfactory Training for HIV

18+
All Sexes
Birmingham, AL
The goal of this study is to examine two types of olfactory interventions (olfactory training vs overnight odor diffuser) in adults with HIV. The two research questions are: 1. Determine if participants find the intervention acceptable and assess feasibility of the study. 2. Determine if the intervention improves olfactory function and cognitive function. Participants will come to our office and be administered the baseline battery of questions including olfactory and cognitive performance tests. Then they will be randomized and sent home with one of the two interventions (below) in which they will engage in it for 8 weeks, after which they come back to our office for the posttest battery of questions including olfactory and cognitive performance test. 1. Olfactory Training at Home -- 4 scents in which they will smell twice a day for 8 weeks. 2. Overnight Diffuser Group -- a single scent diffuser that participants will turn on while they sleep and use for 8 weeks.
Phase < 1
Waitlist Available
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Image of Los Angeles General Medical Center in Los Angeles, United States.

Decision Support Tool for HIV Treatment

18+
All Sexes
Los Angeles, CA
This study is testing software designed to help healthcare providers choose the best HIV treatment combinations for their patients. HIV medicines, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), can be complex to manage because the right regimen depends on many factors-such as drug resistance, other health conditions, and medication schedules. Many people with HIV are cared for by general clinicians who may not have access to HIV specialists, which can make treatment decisions more challenging. In this study, healthcare providers will use patient cases to compare standard HIV treatment resources with a new clinical decision support tool that gives evidence-based ART recommendations at the point of care. The investigators hypothesize that using the tool will help providers select treatment plans that better match clinical guidelines, make decisions faster, reduce mental effort, and increase overall satisfaction with the prescribing process.
Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo
Los Angeles General Medical CenterHayoun Lee, PhD
Image of University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, United States.

MGD020 + MGD014 for HIV

18 - 65
All Sexes
Chapel Hill, NC
This research study aims to find out how safe and well tolerated the experimental study drugs are when given to persons with HIV (PWH) taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). The study treatments are MGD014 and MGD020, which are two antibodies developed specifically for HIV, and Vorinostat, an oral medication to help expose HIV in cells to the antibodies. The study will measure the impact of study treatment on non-active HIV in cells, and how long MGD014 and MGD020 stay in the body after they are given. In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. All participants receive MGD014 and MGD020, given sequentially as infusions through an IV for 4 doses. Participants in one group (group A) receive only MGD014 and MGD020. Participants in another group (group B) will stop taking their ART therapy for up to 8 weeks (a temporary treatment interruption (TTI)) while receiving MGD014 and MGD020. Participants in the third group (group C) receive Vorinostat in addition to MGD014 and MGD020. Total time of participation is about 8 months and involves 13 or 18 visits, depending on group assignment.
Phase 1
Recruiting
University of North CarolinaCynthia L. Gay, MD
Have you considered Zirgan clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Zirgan, we think they might fit your search criteria.Go to Trials
Have you considered Zirgan clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Zirgan, we think they might fit your search criteria.Go to Trials
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N-803 for HIV

18 - 70
All Sexes
San Francisco, CA
Even though HIV medicine stops the virus from making more copies of itself, the virus remains in the body by hiding inside of immune cells. This hidden virus is referred to as the "latent reservoir." Researchers on this team are studying whether stimulating the immune system can change the nature of the latent reservoir and if this could help people control HIV without the need to take regular HIV medicine. This study is testing a drug called N-803. N-803 is also known as Interleukin-15 or "IL-15", a powerful and long lasting protein that can affect the immune system by stimulating immune cells such as CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. CD8+ T cells and NK cells are both crucial for eliminating infected cells. The drug is FDA-approved for the treatment of bladder cancer, but in this study the drug is being used experimentally for HIV.
Phase 2
Waitlist Available
UCSF
Image of Alabama CRS (Site ID: 31788) in Birmingham, United States.

Dasatinib + Quercetin for HIV

18+
All Sexes
Birmingham, AL
This clinical trial is a Phase II study designed to test the safety and effectiveness of a combination of dasatinib and quercetin (D+Q) in improving physical function for people with HIV who are frail or prefrail. The study will involve 80 participants, all aged 50 or older, who have been living with HIV for at least 10 years determined to meet criteria for diagnosis of frail or prefrail and are currently on a stable antiretroviral therapy with viral suppression. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive the D+Q treatment, and the other will receive a placebo. The treatment will be given in six cycles over 12 weeks, with participants taking the medication for two days followed by 12 days without treatment. After the 12-week treatment period, participants will be monitored for another 12 weeks to assess the long-term effects. The study aims to determine if D+Q can improve physical function and other health outcomes in this population. Randomization will be stratified by sex and age to ensure balanced groups.
Phase 2
Waitlist Available
Alabama CRS (Site ID: 31788) (+26 Sites)
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DynamiCare + Patient Navigation for Stimulant Use Disorder

18+
All Sexes
New Haven, CT
Justice-involved individuals face disproportionately high rates of stimulant use disorder and HIV, along with disrupted access to HIV treatment and prevention services like ART and PrEP. Contingency management (CM) is the most effective intervention for stimulant use, but its use in justice-involved populations has been limited by logistical and structural barriers. DynamiCare is an FDA-approved mobile app that delivers behavioral CM and has shown promise in reducing stimulant use, but its impact on HIV-related outcomes remains unknown. The RESTORE study (Recovery and Engagement for Stimulant Users on Re-entry) will evaluate whether combining DynamiCare with patient navigation (DynamiCare-plus) improves PrEP/ART initiation and reduces stimulant use among individuals recently released from justice settings. The R61 phase will assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness among 40 participants. If milestones are met, the R33 phase will scale to a randomized controlled trial with 252 participants to assess effectiveness, implementation, and cost. This scalable, mobile approach has the potential to address a critical gap in care for a highly vulnerable population.
Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo
Yale University (+1 Sites)Ank Nijhawan, MD
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