Aciclovir Agepha 30 mg/g Eye Ointment - UK

 

Aciclovir eye ointment is the primary choice for ophthalmologists globally in the treatment of new and recurrent herpetic keratitis. Aciclovir Agepha 30 mg/g is a potent broad-spectrum antiviral agent with a long and stable shelf life. 

Since the discontinuation of GSK’s Zovirax Eye Ointment in 2018, there has been a shortage of eye ointment to treat herpetic keratitis in the UK1. We are therefore happy to announce that its replacement Aciclovir AGEPHA 30mg/g eye ointment is now available across the UK. It is listed in the British National Formulary and is covered by the NHS Drug Tariff.2

Fact Sheet

Drug Name

Aciclovir Agepha 30 mg/g eye ointment

API

Aciclovir

Indication

For the treatment of herpes simplex keratitis

Pack Size

4.5 g

ATC Code

S01AD03

Covered by NHS Drug Tariff

Yes

PIP Code

123-8914 / 8019630

Marketing Authorisation Nr.

PL 49118/0002 – 0001

EAN

08588006940060


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 Why Aciclovir is superior to Ganciclovir

  1. Topical aciclovir is considered the first line treatment for all forms of herpetic keratitis with proven efficacy and safety records.3,4,5
  2. Ganciclovir is used only for superficial keratitis and is not suitable for deeper forms of the condition whereas aciclovir effectively treats all forms.6,7,8
  3. Aciclovir is safe for children of all ages and adults, while ganciclovir may not used by children under the ages of 18.9,10

About AGEPHA Pharma

AGEPHA Pharma is a name synonymous with the highest quality in healthcare. It is a medium-sized pharmaceutical company with a range of over 40 products, specializing in ophthalmology. AGEPHA Pharma was founded in Austria, over 70 years ago. Find out more: www.agephapharma.com

For further inquiries, please reach us at:

Mirela Golubovic
Scientific Director – Ophth
AGEPHA Pharma
E: uk@agepha.com

References:

  1. Discontinuation of Zovirax
  2. NHS Drug Tariff 
  3. Austin, A., Lietman, T. and Rose-Nussbaumer, J., 2017. Update on the management of infectious keratitis. Ophthalmology, 124(11), pp.1678-1689.
  4. Herpes Simplex Eye Infection - NHS
  5. First Choice Treatment - NHS
  6. Hoh, H.B., Hurley, C., Claoue, C., Viswalingham, M., Easty, D.L., Goldschmidt, P. and Collum, L.M., 1996. Randomised trial of ganciclovir and acyclovir in the treatment of herpes simplex dendritic keratitis: a multicentre study. British journal of ophthalmology, 80(2), pp.140-143.
  7. Kaufman, H.E. and Haw, W.H., 2012. Ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15%: safety and efficacy of a new treatment for herpes simplex keratitis. Current eye research, 37(7), pp.654-660.
  8. White, M.L. and Chodosh, J., 2014. Herpes simplex virus keratitis: a treatment guideline. Hoskins Centers Compendium of Evidence-Based Eye Care, http://www.aao.org/clinical-statement/herpes-simplex-virus-keratitis-treatment-guideline (2014, accessed 18 January 2016).
  9. Ganciclovir PIL 
  10. Aciclovir PIL