Aciclovir
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Xorox. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using Xorox against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Xorox eye ointment is used for
Aciclovir (the active ingredient in Xorox) belongs to a group of medicines called “anti-virals”.
Xorox used to treat eye infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus. It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses on the front of your eyeball (cornea).
Xorox is only suitable for use in the eye.
Your doctor may have prescribed Xorox for another purpose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why Xorox has been prescribed for you.
There is no evidence that Xorox is addictive.
This medicine is available only on doctor’s prescription.
Before you use Xorox eye ointment
When you must not use it
Do not use Xorox ointment if:
- You have or have had an allergy to aciclovir, valaciclovir or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- Do not use Xorox if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
- Do not use Xorox if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
If you use this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Use within four weeks after first opening.
If you are not sure whether you should start using Xorox, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you start to use it
Tell your doctor if:
- if you have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
- if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Xorox when pregnant.
- if you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Xorox when breastfeeding.
- If you wear contact lenses.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you use any Xorox.
Using other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
When applied locally in the eye, no significant interactions were observed so far.
There is however insufficient information on the use of Xorox and simultaneous use with eye medicines containing corticosteroids. Your doctor will decide if this is appropriate for you.
How to use Xorox eye ointment
How much to use
Instructions for Use
For ocular use
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist, if you are not sure.
Unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor, the recommended dose is:
Place a 1 cm ribbon of ointment inside the lower conjunctival sac 5 times a day (every 4 hours). Suggested times are: 7:00, 11:00, 15:00, 19:00 and 23:00.
Pull down the lower lid and place the ointment strand inside the conjunctival sac. Close your eye lids, and rotate your eye ball so that the ointment gets better distributed.
It is essential that you apply Xorox during the day in regular intervals of 4 hours to ensure the success of treatment. After the inflammation of the cornea has healed up, Treatment should be continued for 14 days or at least 3 days after healing is completed, whichever is shorter.
How long to use it
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how long to use Xorox.
Treatment should usually be continued for 14 days or at least 3 days after healing is completed, whichever is shorter.
Do not use Xorox for longer than your doctor tells you.
If you are not sure how long to use Xorox, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use Xorox, use it as soon as you remember.
However, if it is nearly time for your next application, skip the missed application. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Use in children and adolescents
The dose in children and adolescents is same as prescribed for adults.
If you swallow it
There is not expected to be any untoward effects from swallowing the entire contents of the tube.
However if you have any concerns you should still telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to casualty at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have swallowed Xorox.
Keep these telephone numbers handy.
If you stop using Xorox eye ointment
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
While you are using Xorox eye ointment
Things you must do
Tell all doctors and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using Xorox.
If you feel that your condition is getting worse rather than better, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used Xorox exactly as prescribed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
If you become pregnant while using Xorox, tell your doctor.
Things you must not do
Do not give Xorox to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as yours.
Do not use Xorox to treat other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Do not use large amounts of Xorox for a long time.
Avoid wearing contact lenses when using Xorox.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you do not feel well while you are using Xorox.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you have any problems while using Xorox, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet
Like other medicines, Xorox can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary.
If you have an allergic reaction or acute hypersensitivity reactions, stop using Xorox and see a doctor straight away.
The signs may include:
- rash, itching or hives on your skin
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue or other parts of your body
- shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
- Unexplained fever (high temperature) and feeling faint, especially when standing up.
- Burning or irritation, photophobia/ light sensitivity or feeling as if there is something in your eye (superficial punctuate keratopathy)
- You may feel a mild stinging immediately after applying the ointment to your eye(s) but this passes quickly.
- Irritation or inflammation of the eye lids (blepharitis) or surface of the eye (eg conjunctivitis)
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. Some may be serious and need medical attention.
If any of the following happen, stop using Xorox and tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital:
A very few people may be allergic/sensitive to Xorox. There have been rare reports of allergic reactions including swelling, especially of the lips, face and/or eyelids; skin rashes or weals.
Some people may get other side effects while using Xorox.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don’t understand anything in this list.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using Xorox eye ointment
Storage
Keep Xorox in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Discard 28 days after opening.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop using Xorox or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that is left over.
Product description
What Xorox eye ointment looks like
Xorox is a White to whitish-grey sterile ointment available in a 4.5 g tube.
Ingredients
Each gram of ointment contains 30mg of aciclovir.
Xorox also contains the inactive ingredient white soft paraffin.
Xorox is supplied in Australia by:
AGEPHA Pharma Pty Ltd.
Level 36 Governor Phillip Tower,
1 Farrer place, Sydney
NSW 2000
This leaflet was last updated on September 2020
Australian Register Number:
Xorox 30 mg/g Eye Ointment
AUST R 319440
The information provided applies only to: Xorox 30 mg/g eye ointment
Published by MIMS March 2021