Can Acyclovir Smear Eyes? This is a common question that patients ask. We will understand it in more detail.
Diseases of the organs of vision greatly change human life, disrupting its usual rhythm and preventing it from working fully. Due to a number of ophthalmic pathologies, one can even go blind. In cases of vision problems, doctors prescribe medications to patients that help not only eliminate the symptoms of various eye diseases, but also eliminate the root cause of their occurrence. One of the effective drugs is Acyclovir Eye Ointment.
This tool has a detrimental effect on shingles and simple lichen, blocks the virus at the genetic level. The drug is characterized by rapid absorption in periocular tissues and the cornea. The functioning of a viral infection is inhibited by creating the necessary concentration of fluid in the eye.
The active substance of Acyclovir Eye Ointment is micronized acyclovir. Also included is white petrolatum. The drug has its own indications, side effects and contraindications. Before starting treatment, you must familiarize yourself with the information contained in the instructions.
Clinical and pharmacological group
"Acyclovir" for the eyes is part of a large pharmacological group - an antiviral drug. The specificity of the drug is selective and directed activity against infectious pathogens. Its main goal is the suppression of viral activity, which is actively used in the treatment of ophthalmic herpes.
The action described above is due to the main functional component of the drug - micronized acyclovir.
Is it possible to smear eyes with “Acyclovir”, many are interested.
Pharmacological effect
In this case, we are talking about an artificially synthesized analogue of thymidine nucleoside. After contact with the cells of the virus, a number of chemical reactions are carried out. Their outcome is the transformation of acyclovir under the influence of viral thymidine kinase into triphosphate. It is included in the DNA of the pathological organism, eliminates the possibility of further reproduction, violates the structure of the pathogen. The substance is a non-specific inhibitor.
"Acyclovir" - an eye ointment that can easily penetrate the corneal epithelium barrier, accumulates in the parabulbar fiber and vitreous structures of the eye to the concentration necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Selective activity with respect to pathogenic structures is noticeably manifested to Epstein-Barr, Varicella Zoster, Herpes simplex viruses (first and second type).
Ointment for the eyes is often supplemented with other medications for antiviral complex treatment.
Pharmacokinetics
Currently, methods for establishing the concentration of the active component in the mainstream of blood flow with the use of ointments for the eyes have not been developed. Regarding the external use of the drug, it must be said that "Acyclovir" is detected only in the urine (in a very small concentration). This value from the point of view of treatment is not significant, therefore, it is not taken into account.
Indications for use
Ointment "Acyclovir" for the eyes is an antiviral ophthalmic agent for local use. To begin with, you should study the scope of the drug.
The drug is prescribed for keratitis due to the herpes virus. This infection affects the cornea and causes an inflammatory reaction. A distinctive feature of herpetic keratitis is a tendency to return the disease.
Herpetic infection inflames the epithelium. Patients complain of lacrimation, eye pain, redness, sensation of a foreign object, as well as excessive sensitivity of the organs of vision to light.
"Acyclovir" for the eyes is prescribed for conjunctivitis. This disease is characterized in that the inflammation affects the transparent membrane covering the inner part of the eyelid and sclera. The disease manifests itself in the form of pain, redness of the eyes, intolerance to light, sensation of a foreign object, burning, severe lacrimation and itching. "Acyclovir" from barley in the eye can also help. This is an inflammatory-purulent process localized in the region of the hair ciliary sac or sebaceous gland. Patients at the beginning of inflammation complain of the appearance of itching and burning in the eyelid. After this, edema appears, a purulent abscess forms in a few days. The disease sometimes even affects the general condition of the patient.
The drug is available in various dosage forms, including tablets. But drops for eyes "Acyclovir" does not happen.
With herpes, the drug prevents the appearance of new rashes, and also reduces the likelihood of complications. The medicine accelerates the formation of crusts, weakens the manifestation of pain, if the patient has an acute form of herpes zoster. In addition, the drug has an immunostimulating effect aimed at strengthening the body's defenses.
In the absence of relief, eye drops also begin to be used. The agent in drops, which is most often prescribed, is Zovirax, which is an analogue of the drug Acyclovir. It has a high cost, but at the same time it has proven itself in the treatment of ophthalmic herpes and conjunctivitis.
Application features
Using the ointment is quite simple. According to the instructions, "Acyclovir" for the eyes must be laid five times a day in the conjunctival sac. Repeat the procedure until the symptoms of keratitis have completely disappeared. To consolidate the result in the next three days after the elimination of symptoms, it is advisable to continue using the ointment.
Eyes before using the product should be washed with a disinfectant solution, for example, chamomile broth. A solution of furatsilin is also suitable. It is best to do the procedure before bedtime. Rinse hands thoroughly under running water using an antibacterial soap.
Then on a disposable dense cotton swab you need to squeeze out a little medicine. Packaging with ointment includes a spatula. It needs to be boiled before each use. In addition, the ointment can be squeezed directly from the tube into the eye, however, it should not touch the outside of the mucous membrane.
To make the funds, the eyelid is drawn back. The tool is laid between it and the eyeball. Then for a few minutes you need to close your eyes, and for a better distribution of the drug, the eyelid is massaged. The remains of Acyclovir are removed with a gauze wipe.
The interval between using the ointment is approximately four hours. The therapeutic course lasts from 3 to 5 days. It is advisable not to wear contact lenses during treatment.
The drug has a number of undoubted advantages: divisible dosage, affordable cost, high bioavailability. Also, "Acyclovir" is available in the form of a cream used for lichen on the genitals or lip and herpes. The cream must be gently smeared with a very thin layer.
Side effects and contraindications
With excessive sensitivity to the composition of the drug, it is strictly forbidden to use ointment. During breastfeeding and pregnancy, the drug is used very carefully under the supervision of a physician.
Treatment with “Acyclovir” can cause the following adverse reactions: conjunctival inflammation, burning in the eye, keratopathy, blepharitis, allergic reaction, angioedema.
If the ointment was accidentally swallowed, then the following undesirable symptoms may occur: headaches, shortness of breath, cramps, nausea, coma, and vomiting.
Immediately after use, a slight burning sensation may appear, but it soon passes by itself. The use of ointment does not affect the reaction rate and concentration.
Drug Interactions
There are no officially documented and clinically verified cases of simultaneous use of drugs with ointment for the eyes. You need to understand that with the parallel use of immunostimulants, the effectiveness of Acyclovir will increase. It is advisable to refuse the simultaneous use of nasal drops and ointment, since there is a high probability of an overdose.
Analogs of this medicine
In the pharmaceutical industry, many drugs are produced that are designed to eliminate eye ailments. They differ in the form of release - ointments, drops, creams, gels.
The closest analogues of Acyclovir Eye Ointment are as follows:
- "Stillavit."
- Zovirax.
- "Virolex".
- Ophthalmoferon.
The choice of a full replacement is best entrusted to an ophthalmologist.
Reviews
About "Acyclovir" mostly positively responded to both specialists and doctors. They note ease of use, affordable cost and quick results. To get the best effect from treatment with ointment for the eyes, you need to start therapy at the first symptoms of the disease. Only some patients mention that in the first minutes of use there is a burning sensation as a drawback.
The drug is prescribed only by a doctor after making an accurate diagnosis. Self-medication is unacceptable.
We reviewed the instructions for use with Acyclovir for the eyes.