Herplex

Indications

Idoxuridine eye drops are used to treat herpes simplex keratitis, an infection of the clear front surface of the eye (cornea) caused by the cold sore virus. It is mainly used for infections of the surface layer of the cornea.

How It Works

Idoxuridine is an antiviral medicine. It looks very similar to thymidine, one of the building blocks of DNA. The virus takes it up by mistake when copying its DNA, which produces faulty viral DNA and stops the virus from multiplying. The body can then clear the infection.

Dosage and Administration

Use exactly as prescribed by an eye doctor. Drops are usually put into the affected eye very often at first, commonly 1 drop every hour during the day and every 2 hours at night, then less often as the eye improves. Treatment is usually continued for a few days after healing but is generally not used for more than 21 days. Wash your hands before use, do not let the dropper tip touch the eye, and press gently on the inner corner of the eye for a minute after each drop.

Interactions

Do not use with eye products containing Boric acid, as irritation may occur. If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between them. Steroid eye drops can make herpes eye infections worse and are only used together under an eye doctor's direction.

Contraindications

Do not use if you are allergic to Idoxuridine or any ingredient of the drops, or in deep eye infections where the doctor advises other treatment.

Side Effects

Common effects include stinging, burning, itching, redness, watering and sensitivity to light. Swelling of the eyelids, small spots on the cornea and slow healing can occur, especially with long use.

Stop using and see an eye doctor urgently if you have increasing eye pain, worsening vision, a white patch on the eye, severe swelling or signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or difficulty breathing.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Idoxuridine has caused birth defects in animal studies, so it should be used in pregnancy only if an eye doctor decides it is clearly needed. It is not known if it passes into breast milk; ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.

Precautions and Warnings

Do not wear contact lenses during treatment. Vision may blur briefly after the drops, so wait until it clears before driving. If the eye does not improve within about 7 days, see the eye doctor again. Do not share the bottle, and discard it once the course ends or as stated on the label after opening.

Overdose

Using drops more often than advised can damage the corneal surface. If the drops are swallowed by accident, serious harm is unlikely, but seek medical advice, especially for children.

Therapeutic Class

Antiviral eye preparation (nucleoside analogue).

Storage

Store as directed on the pack; many idoxuridine eye drops are kept in a refrigerator at 2 to 8°C, do not freeze. Keep away from light and out of the reach of children.