Acyclovir ophthalmic

Acyclovir ophthalmic is a prescription medication used for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis. 

• Acyclovir ophthalmic is available under the following different brand names: Avaclyr

Common side effects of Acyclovir ophthalmic include:

• eye pain (stinging),
• inflammation of the cornea (punctate keratitis), and
• eye infection (follicular conjunctivitis).

Serious side effects of Acyclovir ophthalmic include:

• inflammation of the eyelid
• allergic reactions

Rare side effects of Acyclovir ophthalmic include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 Adult and pediatric dosage

Ophthalmic ointment

• 3% (3.5 g tube)
• Acute Herpetic Keratitis
• Adult dosage
• Initial: Apply 1-cm ribbon to affected eye 5x/day (every 3 hours while awake) until healed, followed by a 7-day maintenance regimen
• Maintenance: Apply 1-cm ribbon to affected eye 3x/day for 7 days
• Pediatric dosage
• Aged below 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Aged above 2 years
  • Initial: Apply 1-cm ribbon to affected eye 5x/day (every 3 hours while awake) until healed, followed by a 7-day maintenance regimen
  • Maintenance: Apply 1-cm ribbon to affected eye 3x/day for 7 days

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Acyclovir ophthalmic has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Acyclovir ophthalmic has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Acyclovir ophthalmic has moderate interactions with no other drugs.
• Acyclovir ophthalmic has minor interactions with no other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Acyclovir ophthalmic?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Acyclovir ophthalmic?”

Cautions

• For ophthalmic use only
• Patients should not wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of herpetic keratitis or during the course of therapy
• The product is sterile when packaged; patients should be advised to not allow the tip of the container to touch any surface; this may contaminate the ointment; if pain develops, or redness, itching, or inflammation becomes aggravated, the patient should consult a physician

Pregnancy & Lactation

• A prospective epidemiologic registry of acyclovir use from 1984-to 1999 reported birth defects in women exposed to systemic acyclovir during the first trimester of pregnancy
• Likewise, oral and SC administration of acyclovir to pregnant mice, rats, and rabbits during organogenesis did not produce teratogenicity at clinically relevant doses

Lactation

• Acyclovir concentrations reported in breast milk following oral administration of acyclovir
• There is no information regarding the presence of acyclovir in human milk following ocular administration, effects on the breastfed infant, or effects on milk production
• Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother’s clinical need for the drug, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition