Home Drug Guide Idoxuridine

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Idoxuridine

Brand Names Stoxil, Herplex, Dendrid

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiviral (Eye infections)

Pharmacological: Nucleoside analog

FDA Approved Indications

  • Herpes simplex virus keratitis

Mechanism of Action

Idoxuridine is a nucleoside analog that incorporates into viral DNA, disrupting DNA synthesis and inhibiting viral replication.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Apply drops to affected eye(s) every 2 hours while awake, then taper as condition improves.

Pediatric: Use as directed by physician; dosing similar to adult, tailored to age and severity.

Geriatric: Monitor for local irritation; dosing generally unchanged.

Renal Impairment: Use cautiously; no specific adjustment recommended.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific guidelines available.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Poor systemic absorption when used ophthalmically.

Distribution: Local tissue distribution in eye tissues.

Metabolism: Metabolized locally in eye tissues.

Excretion: Minimal systemic excretion due to limited absorption.

Half Life: Approximately 1-3 hours in ocular tissues.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to idoxuridine or nucleoside analogs.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with impaired corneal epithelium; avoid prolonged use to prevent toxicity.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Local irritation, redness, itching (Common)
  • Photophobia (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Corneal erosion or ulceration (Rare)
  • Allergic reactions, including dermatitis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • None well documented

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Not applicable

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • No known interactions

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Assess ocular condition before and during treatment.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection related to ocular herpes.
  • Risk for tissue damage due to drug toxicity.

Implementation: Instruct patient on proper eye drop technique; monitor for signs of local irritation or toxicity.

Evaluation: Evaluate improvement in symptoms and ocular health.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Use medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Report any increase in pain, redness, or vision changes.
  • Avoid touching the tip of the dropper to avoid contamination.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None

Genetic Factors: Not applicable.

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with certain viral assays, but generally used locally with minimal systemic impact.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Local eye irritation, potential corneal damage if overused.

Treatment: Discontinue medication, provide symptomatic relief, seek ophthalmologic evaluation.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from light.

Stability: Stable for up to 24 months if unopened; follow specific shelf-life on packaging.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.