Vidarabine (Ophthalmic)

Brand Names : Vira-A, arabinoside, ara-A

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For vidarabine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to vidarabine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in humans. Studies in rats and rabbits have shown that vidarabine, given by injection, causes birth defects. In addition, studies in rabbits have shown that vidarabine, applied as a 10% ointment to the skin, may cause birth defects or other problems. However, these doses are much higher than those used in the eyes of humans. Therefore, the chance that vidarabine ophthalmic ointment would cause birth defects or other problems in humans is very small.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether vidarabine, applied to the eyes, is absorbed into the body and passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Although there is no specific information comparing use of vidarabine in children with use in other age groups, it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of vidarabine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine in your eyes.