Herpes viruses can affect any part of the body, including the mucous membranes of the eyes. In addition to taking systemic medicines in such cases, local therapy is necessary. Acyclovir, an ophthalmic ointment with specific antiviral activity, is usually used for treatment. In combination with other anti-herpetic drugs, it helps to quickly stop the multiplication of pathogenic cells and the progression of the disease.
Composition of ointment for eyes Aciclovir
The described agent is made on the basis of the same substance - a synthetic analogue of thymidine nucleoside at a concentration of 3%. An auxiliary component of the ointment is medical purified petroleum jelly.
The active ingredient has special properties. Acyclovir, getting into the cells infected with the virus, begins to transform, eventually converting to the form of triphosphate. In this form it is able to be built into the DNA of herpes and completely stop its reproduction. At the same time, acyclovir is not transformed in healthy cells, since they lack the enzyme necessary for chemical transformations, which causes its low toxicity.
The active substance is active against such viruses:
- herpes 1 and 2 types;
- shingles and chicken pox;
- Epstein-Barra;
- cytomegalovirus.
Instructions for ophthalmic ointment Acyclovir 3%
Despite the fact that the drug in question has a fairly broad spectrum of action, it is prescribed only with herpetic keratitis, which is provoked by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2.
Less commonly, Acyclovir is recommended for the treatment of diseases caused by Varicella Zoster.
Treatment with ointment is carried out for several days - it is necessary to lay approximately 1 cm of the drug into the lower conjunctival sac every 4 hours. In total, up to 5 procedures per day are allowed until the mucous membranes are completely healed. After the restoration of affected areas it is recommended to continue therapy for 3 more days.
Acyclovir is a safe medication, so it rarely causes side effects:
- slight slight burning, which quickly disappears on its own;
- surface keratopathy;
- conjunctivitis;
- blepharitis ;
- temporary deterioration in the clarity of visual perception;
- allergic reactions of immediate type, including angioedema.
All these problems, except the last, do not pose a health hazard and do not require special therapy. Over time, they will disappear without negative consequences.
Allergy to ophthalmic ointment Acyclovir occurs extremely rarely (less than 0.01% of cases). When it appears, you need to contact the oculist to replace the medication.
Contraindications to the use of the drug:
- increased sensitivity to valacyclovir and acyclovir;
- the period of breastfeeding.
It is worth noting that in the treatment of patients with reduced immunity functions, or severe, chronic recurrent forms of herpetic infection, it is desirable to combine local and systemic therapy. Additionally, immunostimulants based on human interferon can be taken.
Analogues of ophthalmic ointment Acyclovir
Direct synonyms with the same mechanism of action are the following local drugs:
- Valaciclovir;
- Sorivudine;
- Zovirax ;
- Virolex;
- Famciclovir;
- Viroptic;
- Triflurotomidine;
- Gerperax;
- Vidarabine;
- Trigearpine;
- Braududin;
- Ganciclovir;
- Valtrex.
Also analogs and generics of Acyclovir are released in the form of drops for the eyes:
- Layfferon;
- Actipol;
- Ophthalmoferon;
- Lokferon.