Zovirax Ophthalmic (eye) Ointment - Discount Pharmacy Australia

Zovirax Ophthalmic(eye) OintmentAcyclovirConsumer Medicine InformationWhat is in this leafletThis leaflet answers some commonquestions about Zovirax ophthalmicointment. It does not contain all theavailable information.It does not take the place of talkingto your doctor or pharmacist.All medicines have risks andbenefits. Your doctor has weighedthe risks of you using Zoviraxophthalmic ointment against thebenefits they expect it will have foryou.If you have any concerns about thismedicine, ask your doctor orpharmacist.Keep this leaflet with yourmedicine.You may need to read it again.What Zoviraxophthalmic ointmentis used forZovirax ophthalmic ointment is usedfor the treatment of herpes simplexvirus infections of the eye.Aciclovir (the active ingredient inZovirax ophthalmic ointment)belongs to a group of medicinescalled "anti-virals".Zovirax ophthalmic ointment worksby stopping the production of theherpes simplex virus. Zoviraxophthalmic ointment does not get ridof the virus from your body.Zovirax ophthalmic ointment is onlysuitable for use in the eye.Your doctor may have prescribedZovirax ophthalmic ointment foranother purpose. Ask your doctor orpharmacist if you have any questionsabout why Zovirax ophthalmicointment has been prescribed foryou.There is no evidence that Zoviraxophthalmic ointment is addictiveThis medicine is available only witha doctor's prescription.Before you use Zoviraxophthalmic ointmentWhen you must not use itDo not use Zovirax ophthalmicointment if:* you have or have had anallergy to Zovirax, aciclovir orany of the ingredients listed atthe end of this leafletDo not use Zovirax ophthalmicointment if the packaging is tornor shows signs of tampering.Do not use Zovirax ophthalmicointment if the expiry date (EXP)printed on the pack has passed.If you use this medicine after theexpiry date has passed, it may notwork as well.Do not use Zovirax ophthalmicointment 28 days after firstopening the tube.If you are not sure whether youshould start using Zoviraxophthalmic ointment, ask yourdoctor or pharmacist.Before you start to use itTell your doctor if:1. if you have any allergies to anyother medicines or any othersubstances, such as foods,preservatives or dyes.2. if you are pregnant or intend tobecome pregnantYour doctor will discuss the risksand benefits of using Zoviraxophthalmic ointment whenpregnant.3. if you are breast-feeding orintend to breast-feedYour doctor will discuss the risksand benefits of using Zoviraxophthalmic ointment whenbreast-feeding.4. If you wear contact lenses.If you have not told your doctorabout any of the above, tell thembefore you use any Zoviraxophthalmic ointment.Using other medicinesTell your doctor or pharmacist ifyou are using other creams orointments or taking any othermedicine. This includes any thatyou buy without a prescriptionfrom a pharmacy, supermarket orhealth food shop.Some medicines may affect the wayothers work. Your doctor orpharmacist will be able to tell youZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC (EYE) OINTMENT 1

what to do when using Zoviraxophthalmic ointment with othermedicines.How to use Zoviraxophthalmic ointmentHow much to useThe usual dose is a 1 cm ribbon ofointment five times a day atapproximately 4 hour intervals.Follow all directions given to youby your doctor and pharmacistcarefully.These directions may differ from theinformation contained in this leaflet.If you do not understand theinstructions on the label, ask yourdoctor or pharmacist for help.How to use itIt is important to use Zoviraxophthalmic ointment exactly as yourdoctor told you.* Wash your hands before and afterapplying the eye ointment.* Apply 1cm of the ointment to theinside of the lower eyelid on theaffected side.* If you find this difficult, it may beeasier if a mirror is used or forsomeone else to do this for you.* Try to avoid letting the tip of thetube touch any part of the eye.* After application, close your eyefor 30 seconds. Repeat theapplication five times a day atapproximately four-hourlyintervals, omitting the night timeapplication.* Your vision may be blurred for ashort time (5-10 minutes), andyou should wait until you can seeclearly again before driving oroperating machinery* It is important to follow theinstructions on this leaflet. If, ona few occasions by mistake youapply more than therecommended amount do notworry.Use Zovirax ophthalmic ointment atthe same time every day.How long to use itYour doctor or pharmacist will tellyou how long to use Zoviraxophthalmic ointment.Treatment should usually becontinued for 14 days or at least 3days after healing is completed,whichever is shorter.Do not use Zovirax ophthalmicointment for longer than yourdoctor tells you.If you are not sure how long to useZovirax ophthalmic ointment, talkto your doctor or pharmacist.If you forget to use itIf it is almost time for your nextdose, skip the dose you missed anduse your next dose when you aremeant to. Otherwise, use it assoon as you remember, and then goback to using your medicine as youwould normally.Do not use a double dose to makeup for the dose that you missed.If you have trouble remembering touse your medicine, ask yourpharmacist for some hints.If you swallow itThere is not expected to be anyuntoward effects from swallowingthe entire contents of the tube.However if you have any concerns.you should still telephone yourdoctor or Poisons Information Centre(telephone 13 11 26), or go tocasualty at your nearest hospital, ifyou think that you or anyone elsemay have swallowed Zoviraxophthalmic ointment.Keep these telephone numbershandy.While you are usingZovirax ophthalmicointmentThings you must doTell all doctors and pharmacistswho are treating you that you areusing Zovirax ophthalmicointment.If you feel that your condition isgetting worse rather than better,tell your doctor or pharmacist.Tell your doctor if, for any reason,you have not used Zoviraxophthalmic ointment exactly asprescribed.Otherwise, your doctor may thinkthat it was not effective and changeyour treatment unnecessarily.If you become pregnant whileusing Zovirax ophthalmicointment, tell your doctor.Things you must not doDo not give Zovirax ophthalmicointment to anyone else, even ifthey have the same symptoms asyours.Do not use Zovirax ophthalmicointment to treat other complaintsunless your doctor tells you to.Things to be careful ofDo not use large amounts ofZovirax ophthalmic ointment for along time.Avoid wearing contact lenses whenusing Zovirax ophthalmic ointment.Side effectsTell your doctor or pharmacist ifyou do not feel well while you areusing Zovirax ophthalmicointment.Check with your doctor orpharmacist as soon as possible ifyou have any problems while usingZovirax ophthalmic ointment, evenZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC (EYE) OINTMENT 2

if you do not think the problemsare connected with the medicine orare not listed in this leaflet.Like other medicines, Zoviraxophthalmic ointment can cause someside effects. If they occur, most arelikely to be minor and temporary.* You may feel a mild stingingimmediately after applying theointment to your eye(s) but thispasses quickly.* Irritation or inflammation of theeye lids (blepharitis) or surface ofthe eye (eg conjunctivitis)Ask your doctor or pharmacist toanswer any questions you mayhave.Some may be serious and needmedical attention.If any of the following happen, stopusing Zovirax ophthalmicointment and tell your doctorimmediately or go to casualty atyour nearest hospital:A very few people may beallergic/sensitive to Zovirax. Therehave been rare reports of allergicreactions including swelling,especially of the lips, face and/oreyelids; skin rashes or weals.Some people may get other sideeffects while using Zoviraxophthalmic ointment.Ask your doctor or pharmacist ifyou don't understand anything inthis list.Do not be alarmed by this list ofpossible side effects. You may notexperience any of them.Do not store Zovirax ophthalmicointment or any other medicine inthe bathroom or near a sink. Donot leave it in the car or on windowsills.Heat and dampness can destroy somemedicines.Keep Zovirax ophthalmic ointmentwhere young children cannot reachit.A locked cupboard at leastone-and-a-half metres above theground is a good place to storemedicines.DisposalIf your doctor tells you to stopusing Zovirax ophthalmicointment or it has passed its expirydate, ask your pharmacist what todo with any that is left over.Product descriptionWhat Zovirax ophthalmicointment looks likeZovirax ophthalmic ointment is awhite to pale yellow sterile ointmentavailable in a 4.5 g tube.IngredientsEach gram of ointment contains 3grams of aciclovir.Zovirax ophthalmic ointment alsocontains the inactive ingredient whitesoft parafin.The information provided appliesonly to: Zovirax Ophthalmicointment.(TM) Zovirax is a trade mark of theGlaxoSmithKline group ofcompanies.(C) 2003 GlaxoSmithKlineIssue No.1Your doctor or pharmacist is the bestperson to give you advice on thetreatment of your condition. Youmay also be able to find generalinformation about your illness and itstreatment from other sources, forexample from books in publiclibraries.After using Zoviraxophthalmic ointmentStorageKeep Zovirax ophthalmic ointmentin a cool dry place where thetemperature stays below 25degrees C.Discard 28 days after opening.Zovirax Ophthalmic ointment issupplied in Australia by:GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd1061 Mountain HighwayBORONIA VIC 3155This leaftlet was prepared on27 March 2003AUST R 11013ZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC (EYE) OINTMENT 3