Acyclovir

Acyclovir Eye Ointment is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Acyclovir Eye Ointment too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.

No, you should not stop using Acyclovir Eye Ointment suddenly without talking to your doctor. This is because your symptoms may worsen and your infection may return. Remember, your symptoms may improve and you may feel better before the infection is completely cleared. Stopping the medication too early could allow the spread of the infection and hence, prevent complete healing.

Use of Acyclovir Eye Ointment should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Acyclovir Eye Ointment or any of its components. However, if you are not aware of any allergy, or if you are using Acyclovir Eye Ointment for the first time, consult your doctor.

Keep Acyclovir Eye Ointment in the container or the pack it came in, tightly closed. Store it according to the instructions mentioned on the pack or label. Dispose off the unused medicine. Keep it away from children and other people to avoid any misuse.

Acyclovir Eye Ointment 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.

No, you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with Acyclovir Eye Ointment. 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.

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.

Older adults (over age 65 years) tend to experience more side effects when taking Acyclovir Eye Ointment. 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 Acyclovir Eye Ointment, and their kidney function should be monitored. These patients should be given a lower dose and should be monitored for neurological problems.

Accidental, repeated overdoses of oral Acyclovir Eye Ointment over several days have resulted in nausea, vomiting, confusion and headache. Consult your doctor in case of overdose.

Patients with advanced HIV disease or patients with an impaired immunity have reported resistance to Acyclovir Eye Ointment. If you are not responding to Acyclovir Eye Ointment, the possibility of drug resistance should be checked.

Hair loss is an uncommon side effect of Acyclovir Eye Ointment. It stops when the medicine is discontinued.