Ganciclovir available for ocular herpes

Tampa, FL

-Ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan, Sirion Therapeutics) is now commercially available for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis.

The company began shipping the drug to distributors and retail chains in late April, according to Barry Butler, president and chief executive officer, Sirion Therapeutics.

“Health-care professionals can begin prescribing [ganciclovir] and pharmacies should be able to fill the prescription immediately or within 24 hours if the pharmacy has to order it from their drug distributor,” he said. “We have received an overwhelming number of inquiries regarding [ganciclovir] and its availability and are proud to be providing eye-care professionals with the first innovation in ocular antiviral therapy in the United States in over 30 years.”

The topical ophthalmic gel formulation is supplied in a 5-g polycoated aluminum tube with a white polyethylene tip and cap and protective band.