Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Eyezirgan
What is EYEZIRGAN used for?
- To treat a condition called superficial acute herpes simplex keratitis in adults. This is an infection of the front part of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus.
It is not known if EYEZIRGAN is safe and effective in children. EYEZIRGAN is not approved for use in children.
How does EYEZIRGAN work?
EYEZIRGAN stops the herpes simplex virus in your eye from growing.
What are the ingredients in EYEZIRGAN?
Medicinal ingredients: ganciclovir
Non-medicinal ingredients: Benzalkonium chloride (as preservative), carbomer, sodium hydroxide, sorbitol, water
EYEZIRGAN comes in the following dosage forms:
Ophthalmic gel containing 0.15% w/w ganciclovir.
Do not use EYEZIRGAN if you:
- Are allergic to ganciclovir.
- Are allergic to any other ingredients in EYEZIRGAN.
- Are allergic to any part of the EYEZIRGAN container.
- Are allergic to valganciclovir or acyclovir which are other medicines used to treat viral infections.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take EYEZIRGAN. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Other warnings you should know about:
Men and women of childbearing age
EYEZIRGAN may be harmful to an unborn baby. Both men and women must use effective contraceptive methods while using EYEZIRGAN. Women must use effective contraception while using EYEZIRGAN and for six months after stopping treatment. Men must use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom while using EYEZIRGAN and for 3 months after stopping treatment. Talk to your healthcare professional for advice on effective methods of birth control.
Contact lenses
You should not wear contact lenses while you are using EYEZIRGAN. Also, you should not wear contacts when you have superficial acute herpes simplex keratitis. EYEZIRGAN contains benzalkonium chloride. This can change the colour of soft contact lenses.
Driving and using machines
EYEZIRGAN may cause blurred vision. Wait until you can see clearly before driving or using machines after applying EYEZIRGAN.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take EYEZIRGAN:
- Use EYEZIRGAN exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- If you are using other medicines in your eye you must wait 15 minutes before applying EYEZIRGAN. EYEZIRGAN should be applied last.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before using EYEZIRGAN.
- Be careful not to touch your eye with the tip of the dropper.
- While looking upwards and pulling your lower eyelid down, gently squeeze the tube to release one drop into the eye.
- Press the inner corner of your eye with your fingertip for 1-2 minutes. This will prevent the drops from draining away too quickly.
- Repeat for the other eye if necessary.
- Close the tube after use.
Usual dose:
Adults:
One drop of gel in each infected eye 5 times a day until it is healed. This is called complete corneal re-epithelialization. Then, one drop of gel in each infected eye 3 times a day for 7 days.
The usual treatment should not last more than 21 days.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much EYEZIRGAN, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
|---|
Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose of EYEZIRGAN, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.
What are possible side effects from using EYEZIRGAN?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking EYEZIRGAN. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- blurred vision
- eye irritation (burning, stinging or tingling)
- red or swollen eyelids
- eye redness
- altered sense of taste
- feeling of grittiness or having something in the eye
- watery eyes
- eye sensitivity to light
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Punctate keratopathy (inflammation of your cornea): blurred vision, decreased vision, eye redness, eye pain, feeling of grittiness or having something in the eye, sensitivity to light, watery eyes | X | ||
| RARE | |||
| Toxic ulcerative keratopathy (ulcers on your cornea): blurred vision, decreased vision, eye redness, eye pain, feeling of grittiness or having something in the eye, sensitivity to light, watery eyes | X | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
|
Storage:
Store at 15°C-30°C. Do not freeze. Use within 30 days after first opening of the tube container.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about EYEZIRGAN:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website https://www.theapharma.ca , or by calling 1-888-805-8432 .