Virgan eye gel (discontinued in the UK - August 2006)

How does it work?

Virgan eye gel contains the active ingredient ganciclovir, which is an antiviral medicine. As an eye gel it is used to treat inflammation of the eye caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus. It works by interfering with the multiplication of the virus in the eye. The herpes simplex virus invades cells in the eye and then multiplies within these cells. New copies of the virus are then released to infect more cells. Certain chemicals, called enzymes, produced by the herpes virus play an important role in this multiplication. One on these enzymes, DNA polymerase, has an essential role in producing new viral genetic material (DNA). Ganciclovir works by stopping this enzyme from working. This stops the virus from multiplying. Ganciclovir is also incorporated into viral DNA, and this makes the viral DNA defective. By blocking the action of DNA polymerase and disrupting viral DNA, ganciclovir prevents the herpes simplex virus from multiplying and invading healthy cells. It does not actually kill the virus, but because it stops the virus from reproducing, the virus reduces in numbers. The lower numbers mean that the body's immune system can more easily overcome the virus.

What is it used for?

Inflammation of the front of the eye (cornea) or the membrane lining the eye (conjunctiva) due to the herpes simplex virus (herpetic keratitis)

Warning!

This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.

This medicine is not recommended for use in children.

This eye preparation is sterile until opened. It should not be used if more than four weeks have passed since it was first opened. You may find it helpful to write the date of first opening on the packet.

If you are using any other eye drops or ointments at the same time as this eye gel, you should leave a five minute interval between the application of each product into the eye. This eye gel should be applied into the eye last.

If you have any visual disturbances while using this medicine, either from the medicine itself or the condition being treated, you should not drive or operate machinary.

This medicine has the potential to cause cancer and birth defects. It may also inhibit sperm production in men, which may be temporary or permanent, and may suppress fertility in women. These effects are unlikely following instillation of the medicine into the eye, but for these reasons, this medicine is only used when the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. You can discuss this with your doctor.

Not to be used in

Allergy to ganciclovir or aciclovir

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. It should only be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding if considered essential by your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Inflammation of small areas on the surface of the eye (keratitis punctata)

Burning or tingling sensation in the eye

Visual disturbances after application

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Although the quantities of ganciclovir that are absorbed into the body after application to the eye are small, the following interactions may occur. When ganciclovir is taken with zidovudine, there may be a profound reduction in blood cell production by the bone marrow (myelosuppression). Zidovudine should not be taken during initial ganciclovir treatment and, if possible, the use of these two medicines together should be avoided. There may be an increased risk of seizures if ganciclovir is taken with imipenem/cilastatin. Probenecid slows the removal of ganciclovir from the body and so may increase the blood level of ganciclovir. It is possible that other medicines with similar side effects may have additive side effects with ganciclovir. These combinations should only be used if the benefits outweight the risks. Medicines implicated include: - chemotherapy medicines - dapsone - pentamidine - amphotericin B - co-trimoxazole - nucleoside analogues such as abacavir, didanosine, lamivudine.

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