Indications for use
The use of ophthalmic drops is indicated in the treatment of the following diseases:
- Viral conjunctivitis caused by enterovirus, herpevirus or adenovirus
- Keratitis of viral etiology, including punctate, vesicular, card-shaped, and also tree-like, with the presence of corneal ulcers
- Uveitis and keratouveitis caused by viruses
- Keratopathy in the postoperative period
- Dry eye syndrome.
Interferon eye drops are also effective for severe eye fatigue when working at a computer or while wearing contact lenses.
Oftalmoferon eye drops: analogues and substitutes
The drug Ophthalmoferon consists of two active ingredients and is capable of simultaneously having antiviral and antibacterial effects. Accordingly, Oftalmoferon analogues are those drugs that have the same effect or contain similar active ingredients.
What is the action of Oftalmoferon based on?
Ophthalmoferon is an antibacterial antiviral drug that contains interferon alpha-2 and diphenhydramine.
Thanks to this composition, the drops have an antihistamine, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and local analgesic effect.
The medication is developed on a polymer base, which helps prolong the action of all ingredients and performs the function of an “artificial tear”.
Drops are prescribed for the treatment of the following eye diseases:
- Conjunctivitis.
- Herpetic keratitis.
- Keratoconjunctivitis.
The drug is also effective for diseases caused by adenovirus, herpes and enterovirus.
A feature of Oftalmoferon is the minimal number of side effects that it can have on the body in rare cases. These include burning, redness and irritation of the eyes that occurs a few minutes after instillation.
As a rule, side effects occur in patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. If this happens, the doctor will select more suitable eye drops, developed on the basis of other ingredients, but having the same therapeutic effect. If you are not allergic, you can use drops with a similar composition.
How to choose a similar medicinal solution
Currently, Oftalmoferon is the only drug that simultaneously has antiallergic and anti-inflammatory effects.
If it is necessary to replace this drug with some analogue, you can select two types of drops that have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. But before combining two different medications, you should consult your doctor.
How to replace Oftalmoferon
Medicines that can be used as a replacement for Oftalmoferon include:
- Albucid.
- Allergoferon.
- Aktipol.
- Virgan.
- Poludan.
- Zovirax.
- Oksolin.
- Virolex.
Albucid
Cheap but effective drops, which are often prescribed to newborns to prevent the development of purulent eye lesions. The medicine is developed on the basis of sulfacetamide, a substance that has an antimicrobial effect.
Drops are prescribed for:
- conjunctivitis;
- purulent ulcers of the cornea;
- blepharitis and other diseases caused by bacteria sensitive to sulfacetamide.
Albucid is contraindicated for people who have hypersensitivity to the ingredients present in its composition. Among the side effects that the drug can cause are sometimes burning, itching, increased lacrimation, and swelling of the eyelids. If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to use a less concentrated solution of Albucid.
Drops cannot be used simultaneously with medications that contain silver salts.
The average cost of a bottle containing 5 ml of a 20% Albucid solution is 30 rubles.
Allergoferon
The medication is developed on the basis of loratadine and interferon, has antiviral, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antiexudative, antiallergic and antihistamine effects. Allergoferon is available in the form of drops and ointments.
Medicine is prescribed for allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity, viral, bacterial and fungal infections, cataracts, glaucoma, pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in the presence of ulcerative lesions of the mucous membranes. Also, Allergoferon is not prescribed to patients under 18 years of age.
The average cost of a bottle containing 10 ml of drops is 180-190 rubles.
Aktipol
The medicinal solution contains aminobenzoic acid, which has antiviral, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. The product helps accelerate corneal regeneration and activate the processes responsible for the production of interferon. Does not have mutagenic or teratogenic effects.
Drops are prescribed to patients suffering from viral conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis. The drug is also indicated in the treatment of keratopathy caused by infection or trauma.
The use of drops may provoke conjunctival hyperemia or local allergic reactions.
Actipol is contraindicated for persons with individual intolerance to the drug. Due to the lack of data on the effects of the medication on the body of children, pregnant and lactating women, it is not recommended to use it in the listed category of patients.
The price for a bottle of eye drops with a capacity of 5 ml is 320-340 rubles.
Virgan
The drug is based on ganciclovir. Designed to combat diseases caused by cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and herpes. Virgan is prescribed to patients with acute superficial keratitis.
Do not prescribe the medication if you are hypersensitive to the components present in its composition. In rare cases, after using Virgan, a temporary burning sensation, eye irritation, allergic manifestations, and decreased vision clarity occur. Also, the medicine can provoke the development of superficial keratitis.
Due to the lack of data on the effect of the drug on the body of pregnant women and children, its use in such patients is not recommended.
The average cost of a package containing 5 g of 0.15% Virgan eye gel is 3,700 rubles.
Poludan
Eye drops contain a biosynthetic complex that effectively affects adenovirus and herpes infections. After using the medicine, the processes responsible for the production of interferons and cytokines are activated.
Indications: treatment of keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, herpetic and adenoviral conjunctivitis.
Poludan is contraindicated in patients with high sensitivity to the components present in its composition. The use of the drug can provoke the development of irritation, burning, itching and redness of the eyes, swelling. In the vast majority of cases, the described side effects do not pose a threat to the health of patients and disappear soon after stopping the drops.
A bottle of drops with a capacity of 5 ml costs 110-120 rubles.
Zovirax
Zovirax is based on acyclovir, a substance that has an antiviral effect. In pharmacies you can buy Zovirax in the form of a powder for preparing a solution, tablets and eye ointment. Long-term therapy with the drug can be addictive, so it must be used under the supervision of an experienced physician.
The medication is indicated in the following cases:
- infections caused by herpes simplex;
- chickenpox virus;
- herpes zoster.
Zovirax is a drug prescribed for the treatment of newborns. However, due to insufficient knowledge of the drug regarding its effect on the child’s body, Zovirax can only be used as prescribed by a doctor.
The use of the medication may cause the development of side effects such as temporary burning, peeling of the skin, redness, swelling, itching.
The instructions indicate that Zovirax is contraindicated for persons with hypersensitivity to the ingredients included in its composition.
The cost of a package, including 5 bottles, each containing 250 mg of lyophilisate, is 1800-1900 rubles. A tube with 5% Zovirax cream costs 190-200 rubles.
Oksolin
A widely used ointment in pharmacy chains with an active ingredient is oxolin. The product has an effect on influenza viruses, herpes zoster, adenoviruses, as well as viruses that cause the development of infectious warts.
The product has no toxic effect and does not accumulate in the body. Indicated for viral rhinitis and flu prevention. When treating eye diseases, the ointment can be applied to the mucous membranes of the organs of vision only if there is no damage. Contraindication: hypersensitivity.
When applying the ointment to the surface of the skin, side effects may occur in the form of burning, redness, and increased nasal discharge. The listed symptoms disappear soon after stopping Oksolin.
The average price for a tube containing 10 g of 0.25% ointment is about 50-60 rubles.
Medicinal properties
The effect of the drug is due to the specific properties of the three components that are included in the composition. Drops containing human recombinant interferon exhibit antiviral as well as antimicrobial activity; with regular use, an anesthetic effect is observed. In addition, the drug exhibits pronounced antihistamine properties (due to the presence of diphenhydramine), relieves local inflammation, improves regenerative processes in eye tissues, and helps increase local immune defense.
The drops have a local effect; during use, activation of local reparative processes in the tissues of the cornea is observed, inflammation caused by pathogenic microorganisms or after surgery is eliminated.
Composition and mechanism of action
The main components of the medicine are:
- Interferon helps to increase the body's immune response in a specifically localized area and have an antiviral effect.
- Diphenhydramine can have an antiallergic effect. The drug also effectively reduces inflammation and relieves pain.
- Boric acid can provide an antiseptic effect, which prevents the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.
Oftalmoferon contains the immunostimulating substance interferon, obtained by genetic engineering. Thanks to this method, unlike interferon obtained from human blood leukocytes, the component is maximally purified and safe with respect to the transmission of immunodeficiency viruses, hepatitis or cytomegalovirus.
Instructions for use of Oftalmoferon
During the treatment of eye diseases, it is recommended to instill 1-2 drops of antiviral drops. from 6 to 8 r. per day (in case of acute inflammatory process) or 2-3 r. throughout the day as the severity of symptoms decreases. Drops should be used until the disease is completely cured.
In the complex treatment of dry eye syndrome, it is usually recommended to instill 2 drops into the eyes. in the morning and evening. The duration of use of the ophthalmic agent is 4 weeks or until the signs of the pathological process disappear.
To prevent the development of complications after surgery, it is recommended to use 2 drops. into the infected eye two to four times over 2 weeks. after the operation.
If during the first 5 days. If the use of an ophthalmic drug does not reduce symptoms, you will need to consult a doctor.
Analogs
Zirgan
Farmila-Tea Pharmaceuticals S.P.A., France
Price from 882 to 1005 rubles.
Zirgan is an antiviral agent for local use, used for infectious eye diseases caused by the Herpes simplex virus. The main active component of the ophthalmic drug is ganciclovir. Zirgan is available in the form of an eye gel.
Pros:
- High efficiency
- Fast therapeutic effect
- Easy to use dosage form.
Minuses:
- Expensive
- Not prescribed for children under 12 years of age
- May cause the development of mottled keratitis.
