Acyclovir eye ointment and its application in ophthalmology

Acyclovir Ointment is an antiherpetic antiviral drug used in ophthalmology locally. The main active component of the formula is the substance acyclovir. The drug is highly effective, which largely depends on when treatment was started (the sooner you start therapy - the sooner you will see the results). Cases of overdose with topical application are unknown, but if ingested in medicine occur (so keep the drug in a place protected from children). In childhood, eye ointment for the treatment of herpetic keratitis can be used, during pregnancy and lactation it is done with extreme caution.

Description of the preparation

Acyclovir eye ointment is referred to as topical antiviral medicines.The concentration of the active substance is 30 mg per g of ointment. The drug is sold in aluminum tubes in cardboard boxes, the volume of one tube is 5 g, the color of the ointment is white or yellow.

Acyclovir - anti-inflammatory ointment

Treatment with acyclovir should be continued until the wound is fully healed and within three days after the disappearance of ulceration to fix the effect.

Method of application - piling the eye conjunctiva in the bag every 4 hours.The length of the stripes should be about 1 cm.

Antibacterial drugs are not used for the virus origin of diseases, but be supplemented with glucocorticosteroids (antihistamine preparations of local action), vitamin therapy.

Pharmacological action and group

Eye Ointment Acyclovir is an anti-herpetic agent whose main active ingredient is a synthetic analogue of thymidine nucleoside.It acts on the viral thymidine kinase at the cellular level, as a result of which it is first converted to acyclovir monophosphate, and then to diphosphate and triphosphate.

Acyclovir - anti-herpetic ointment

The drug has a low toxicity and affects the human body strictly selectively.

Acyclovir is used in therapy for types 1 and 2 of the Herpes simplex virus, shingles, chicken pox, Epstein-Barr virus.It can be used for the treatment of CMV, but the active substance shows moderate activity with respect to cytomegalovirus.Therapeutic effect - reducing the risk of visceral pathological complications, dissemination, preventing the spread of rash, accelerating the formation of crusts.

Concerning cytomegalovirus, acyclovir activity is moderate.

With topical use, the active substance quickly penetrates the cornea and concentrates in the aqueous humor. In small amounts, it is noted in the urine.

Indications and contraindications

Eye Ointment Acyclovir is used to treat herpetic keratitis.During lactation it is not recommended to use it, although this contraindication is not absolute (breastfeeding can be temporarily stopped). Refrain from treatment with Acyclovir in case of individual intolerance of its components.

Immediately after the use of the drug, a brief blurring of vision is noted.

The effectiveness of therapy is high, but it largely depends on the state of the patient's immune system about when treatment was started. When pregnancy, ophthalmic ointment can be used, if the benefit from this will exceed possible risks. When using the drug during lactation, its active ingredients penetrate into the milk.

If treatment with acyclovir during breastfeeding is necessary, lactation should be temporarily suspended.

So lay the ophthalmic ointment

Children ointment is punctured into a bag of conjunctiva in standard dosages (they do not differ from adults).Avoid swallowing the product - it leads to an overdose, migraines, vomiting, impaired renal puncture or even coma.

Using Acyclovir together with immunostimulants enhances the effect of the drug.

Possible complications

During the treatment with the drug, the development of adverse reactions is possible. Consider the main:

• Allergy - up to 0.01% of cases.
• Surface keratopathy, conjunctivitis - from 0.1 to 1%.
• Easy burning - up to 10% of all cases.
• Blepharitis - up to 0.1% of cases.

If any adverse reactions occur, consult a doctor.Perhaps the use of the ointment will have to stop. Keratopathy passes by itself.

Spotting keratopathy is a frequent complication in the treatment with acyclovir and passes by itself.

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conclusions

Ointment Acyclovir is used in the therapy of herpetic keratitis, which were caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2. During pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding, the drug is not recommended, and there are no contraindications for treating them with children. Cases of overdose are known when swallowing the ointment (be careful and keep the drug away from children). Do not use ointment with individual hypersensitivity to its individual components. In case of adverse reactions, consult a doctor.

Also, read about the specific treatment and course of the disease adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.