Vidarabine is an antiviral opthalmic treatment (eye drops) for Herpes
Keratitis (Eye Herpes). It is sold under the brand name Vira-A and is only available on
prescription from your doctor.

Possible side effects:

All medicines have possible side effects, and so might Vidarabine
although there is no particular pattern. If the Keratitis symptoms get
more pronounced when using Vidarabine, you should see your doctor.
If you are pregnant, you should inform your doctor, although there are
no known incidences of complications in pregnant women. You should also
inform your doctor if you take any other medications or you have any allergies.

How to use Vidarabine:

Always wash your hands before use. Pull your lower eyelid down and
away and gently squeeze a little Vidarabine into the open bit under
the eyeball itself. Gently let go of your eyelid, close your eye
and keep it closed for 1 to 2 minutes so that the ointment gets evenly
spread. Your vision may be blurred for a few minutes afterwards. You
may also be sensitive to sunlight when using Vidarabine

Avoid touching the tip of the bottle with your fingers and don't let
it touch your eye. This way you avoid possible cross contamination. Keep
it tightly closed. Keep away form sunlight, out of reach of children
and discard when expired. You may hand in old medicine at your pharmacy.

Dosage

Usually the dosage is once every three hours (5 times a day). When
the infection has passed you should keep using Vidarabine twice a day
for a week. If your doctor has prescribed a different dose, follow
his advice.

Related Links

• The Eye Herpes Section
• What is Eye Herpes?

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