Ganciclovir (Ophthalmic)
Description
Ganciclovir (Ophthalmic) is an antiviral medicine used in the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis, an eye viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ganciclovir (Ophthalmic)
- Blurred vision
- Sore, Red Eyes
- Eye irritation and discomfort
Uses of Ganciclovir (Ophthalmic)
What is it prescribed for?
- Acute herpetic keratitis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its effect is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women except in life-threatening conditions. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the medicine or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to ganciclovir, any other medicine of the same class, or any other inactive ingredients present along with the formulation.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women except in life-threatening conditions. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the medicine or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 2 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Contamination
Do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface since this may lead to contamination. Patients are advised to take all hygienic precautions to ensure that the medicine is not contaminated.
Contact lens
Usage of a contact lens is not recommended in patients receiving therapy with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Administer the missed dose as soon as you remember. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not instill a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Use this medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not administer in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by blocking the growth and reproduction of the virus. This helps in preventing the spread of the disease.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Purine nucleosides
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Bausch.com. 2019 [cited 19 November 2019]. Available from:
Virgan - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 19 November 2019]. Available from:
Colin J. Ganciclovir ophthalmic gel, 0.15%: a valuable tool for treating ocular herpes [Internet]. PubMed Central (PMC). 2019 [cited 19 November 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Nov 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.