Idoxuridine Ophthalmic Description

Generic Name : IDOXURIDINE OPHTHALMIC

Pronunciation : (eye dox yoor' i deen)

Trade Name(s) : Ridinox, Toxinex eye.

Why it is prescribed: Idoxuridine slows the growth of viruses that cause certain eye infections.

When it is to be taken: Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. For the medication to be effective, you must follow the prescribed schedule. Do not apply the medication more often or use it for a longer time than as instructed.

How it should be taken: Idoxuridine comes in the form of eye drops and eye ointment. Your prescription label tells you how many drops or how much ointment to use for each application.
If you are to use the eye drops, follow these instructions:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
3. Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked and that the eye drops are clear but not cloudy.
4. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or against anything else.
5. Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
6. Lie down or tilt your head back.
7. Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
8. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
9. With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
10. Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
11. Close your eye for two to three minutes to keep the medication in the eye.
12. Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
13. Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.
If you are to use the ointment, follow these instructions:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.
3. Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye of anything else. The ointment must be kept clean.
4. Lie down or tilt your head back.
5. Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
6. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
7. With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket. Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye.
8. Blink your eye gently.
9. Replace and tighten the cap right away.
10. Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Special Instruction :
1. Contact your doctor if the infection has not improved after one week or if it gets worse. Once the infection appears to be healed, continue to use this medication for one more week unless your doctor specifically tells you to stop.
2. Keep the tip of the dropper or ointment tube from touching your infected eye, your hands, or any other possible sources of contamination.
3. Apply the missed dose when you remember it and apply any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are to apply the next one, apply only the scheduled dose. Do not apply a double dose. Then follow your regular medication schedule.

Side Effects :
1. Irritation, pain itching, or swelling of the eye. If these effects are mild, continue to use the medication. If they become severe, contact your doctor.
2. Sensitivity to light. Avoid exposure to bright light and wear sunglasses 3. Hazy vision from the ointment. This effect should go away soon after you apply the ointment.

Other Precautions :
1. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors.
2. Do not use any other eye medications while you are using idoxuridine without consulting your doctor.
3. Throw away any unused part of your prescription. Do not save it to treat another infection.
4. Do not allow anyone else to use this medication.
5. The infection can be spread to another person if you accidentally contaminate the medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
2. Idoxuridine ointment should be stored at room temperature.
3. Idoxuridine eye drops should be refrigerated.