Ocuvir 400mg Suspension is an antiviral medicine. It helps in treating viral infections like herpes labialis, herpes simplex, shingles, genital herpes infection, and chickenpox. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells and therefore helps in clearing the infection.
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Dissolve it in a glass of water before taking it. It may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. You should drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine as it helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
Some side effects of this medicine include headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and fever. Inform your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or persist for a longer duration. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
Herpes labialis, commonly known as cold sores, is a viral infection that primarily affects the lip. Symptoms typically include a burning pain followed by small blisters or sores. The first attack may also be accompanied by fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. Ocuvir 400mg Suspension can speed up healing of herpes labialis and also prevent recurrence of the sores.
In Genital herpes infection
Genital herpes infection is a common sexually transmitted infection marked by genital pain and sores. It can affect both men and women. Symptoms include pain, itching and irritation. Ocuvir 400mg Suspension helps in treating the symptoms effectively and also prevents multiplication of the infection causing virus.
In Chickenpox
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension is used for the treatment of chickenpox. It is most effective if it is started within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of the rash. Take it as prescribed by the doctor to get the most of it. However, chickenpox is highly contagious. You can help prevent the spread of chickenpox by practicing good hygiene and washing your hands frequently. Reduce your exposure to people who have chickenpox. If you already have chickenpox, stay at home until all of your blisters have dried and crusted over.
In Herpes Simplex Virus Infections
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension is an antiviral medicine. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus in the body. It will not cure herpes and neither it prevents passing on the infection to others. However, it can speed up healing of the sores and decrease the symptoms such as tingling, pain, burning, itching. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit.
In Shingles
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Ocuvir 400mg Suspension can shorten the length and severity of shingles. It is most effective if you start taking it as soon as possible after the rash appears. Keeping the immune system healthy is the best way to prevent shingles. Maintaining good hygiene is another way of preventing shingles.
Side effects of Ocuvir Suspension
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Ocuvir
Headache
Dizziness
Vomiting
Nausea
Fatigue
Fever
Diarrhea
Skin rash
How to use Ocuvir Suspension
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Ocuvir 400mg Suspension may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Ocuvir Suspension works
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Ocuvir 400mg Suspension. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Ocuvir 400mg Suspension may be needed. Please consult your doctor. It is advisable to drink plenty of water while you are taking this medicine.
Liver
CAUTION
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Ocuvir 400mg Suspension may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take Ocuvir Suspension?
If you miss a dose of Ocuvir 400mg Suspension, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine
Quick tips
Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
Drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine. This helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
If you have genital herpes, use barrier methods (condoms) for contraception and avoid sexual contact while the sores are present.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Nucleoside analog
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI INFECTIVES
Action Class
Antiviral (Non-HIV) drugs
Interaction with drugs
Taking Ocuvir with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects
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Concurrent use may increase the risk of kidney damage.
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Herpes is of two types Herpes Simplex and Herpes Zooster. Treatment requires correct diagnosis. Let me know your symptoms and if you can send me the clinical findings of your Doctor
Problem of Shingles/Herpes/ringworm on testicles and penis.
Dr. Saurav Arora
Homeopathy
Dear sir your problem can surely be treated with homeopathy but as your case is a chronic case it requires long case taking, examination and regular follow up, therefore, please visit a homeopath so that he can examine you and guide you accordingly.
Will I get cured after taking Ocuvir 400mg Suspension for shingles?
Ocuvir 400mg Suspension is an antiviral medicine effective against herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses. It does not cure infections caused by these viruses but helps to minimize the symptoms and shorten the duration of infection. It does not remove the viruses from the body but prevents the viruses from dividing and spreading.
Does Ocuvir 400mg Suspension prevent transmission of infection to others?
No, you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with Ocuvir 400mg Suspension. Herpes infections are contagious, so avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching your eyes after touching an infected area. Wash your hands frequently to prevent transmitting the infection to others. You should practice safe sex by using condoms. You should not have sex if you have genital sores or blisters.
What are the serious side effects of Ocuvir 400mg Suspension?
Serious side effects are rare, but if you experience them, you should seek medical advice right away. These rare side effects include hives, blistering or peeling rash, yellow skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, loss of consciousness, fits, difficulty in breathing, hallucinations and swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat.
Do elderly patients need to be more careful while taking Ocuvir 400mg Suspension?
Older adults (over age 65 years) tend to experience more side effects when taking Ocuvir 400mg Suspension. The reason being, their kidneys do not flush the drug out of their system as quickly as a younger person’s kidneys would do. Elderly patients should drink plenty of water while taking Ocuvir 400mg Suspension, and their kidney function should be monitored. These patients should be given a lower dose and should be monitored for neurological problems.
What can happen if somebody takes more than the recommended dose of Ocuvir 400mg Suspension accidentally?
Accidental, repeated overdoses of oral Ocuvir 400mg Suspension over several days have resulted in nausea, vomiting, confusion and headache. Consult your doctor in case of overdose.
Can I get resistant to Ocuvir 400mg Suspension treatment?
Patients with advanced HIV disease or patients with an impaired immunity have reported resistance to Ocuvir 400mg Suspension. If you are not responding to Ocuvir 400mg Suspension, the possibility of drug resistance should be checked.
Is hair loss caused due to Ocuvir 400mg Suspension permanent?
Hair loss is an uncommon side effect of Ocuvir 400mg Suspension. It stops when the medicine is discontinued.
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.
References
Acosta EP, Flexner C. Antiviral Agents (Nonretroviral). In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1594-1600.
Safrin S. Antiviral Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 846-47.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 18-22.
Aciclovir. Hayes, UK: Ranbaxy (UK) Limited a Sun Pharmaceutical Company; 2007 [revised 15 Aug. 2018]. [Accessed 29 Jan. 2019] (online) Available from:
Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Breastfeeding and maternal medications. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004;80(5 Suppl):S189-98. [Accessed 29 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Acyclovir [Prescribing Information]. Research Triangle Park, NC: GlaxoSmithKline; 2005. [Accessed 25 Jul. 2024] (online) Available from: