Ikervis Eye Drop

• if you have previously had an eye infection by the herpes virus that might have damaged the transparent front part of the eye (cornea).
• if you are taking any medicines containing steroids.
• if you are taking any medicines to treat glaucoma.

Contact lenses can further damage the transparent front part of the eye (cornea). Therefore, you should remove your contact lenses at bedtime before using Ikervis; you can reinsert them when you wake up.

Children and adolescents

• Ikervis should not be used in children and adolescents below 18 years old.

Other medicines and Ikervis

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicine.
• Talk to your doctor if you are using eye drops containing steroids with Ikervis as these might increase the risk of side effects.
• Ikervis eye drops should be used at least 15 minutes after any other eye drops are used.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
• Ikervis should not be used if you are pregnant.
• If you could become pregnant you must use contraception while using this medicine.
• Ikervis is likely to be present in breast milk in very small amounts. If you are breast feeding talk to your doctor before using this medicine.

Driving and using machines

• Your vision may be blurred immediately after using Ikervis eye drops. If this happens, wait until your vision clears before you drive or use machines.

HOW TO USE IKERVIS

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The recommended dose is one drop in each affected eye, once daily at bedtime.

Instructions for use

Follow these instructions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if there is anything you do not understand.

• Wash your hands.
• If you wear contact lenses, take them out at bedtime before using the drops; you can reinsert them when you wake up.
• Open the aluminium pouch, which contains 5 single-dose containers.
• Take one single-dose container from the aluminium pouch.
• Gently shake the single dose container prior to use
• Twist off the cap.
• Pull down your lower eyelid.
• Tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling.
• Gently squeeze one drop of the medicine onto your eye. Make sure you do not touch your eye with the tip of the single-dose container.
• Blink a few times so that the medicine covers your eye.
• After using Ikervis, press a finger into the corner of your eye by the nose and close gently the eyelids for 2 minutes. This helps to stop Ikervis getting into the rest of the body.
• If you use drops in both eyes, repeat the steps for your other eye.
• Discard the single dose container as soon as you have used it, even if there is still some liquid left in it.
• The remaining single-dose containers should be kept in the aluminium pouch.

If a drop misses your eye, try again.

If you use more Ikervis than you should, rinse your eye with water. Do not put in any more drops until it is time for your next regular dose.

If you forget to use Ikervis, continue with the next dose as planned. Do not use a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose. Do not use more than one drop each day in the affected eye(s).

If you stop using Ikervis without speaking to your doctor, the inflammation of the transparent front part of your eye (known as keratitis) will not be controlled and could lead to impaired vision.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects have been reported:

The most common side effects are in and around the eyes.

Very common

• Pain when the drops are put into the eye.

Common

• Irritation, redness, and increase in tears when the drops are put into the eye, redness of the eyelid, watery eyes, eye redness, blurred vision. Swelling of the eyelid, redness of the conjunctiva (thin membrane covering the front part of the eye), eye irritation, eye pain.

Uncommon

Uncommon side effects related to the eye:

• Discomfort, itching or irritation in or around the eye including feeling that there is something in the eye.
• Irritation or swelling of the conjunctiva (thin membrane covering the front part of the eye), eye allergy, tear disorder, eye discharge, inflammation of the iris (coloured part of the eye) or eyelid, deposits in the eye, bacterial infection or inflammation of the cornea (transparent front part of the eye), abrasion to the outer layer of the cornea, whitish patches on the cornea, cyst in the eyelid, itching in the eyelid, painful rash around the eye caused by the herpes zoster virus.

HOW TO STORE IKERVIS

• 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 outer carton, the aluminium pouch and on the single-dose containers after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not freeze.
• After opening of the aluminium pouches, the single-dose containers should be kept in the pouches in order to protect from light and avoid evaporation. Discard any opened individual single-dose container with any remaining emulsion immediately after use.
• 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 protect the environment.

References:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6937/pil

https://www.medicinesresources.nhs.uk/en/Medicines-Awareness/Guidance-and-Advice/Drug-Prescribing/New-product-Ciclosporin-IKERVIS-1-mgmL-eye-drops-emulsion/

https://theophthalmologist.com/subspecialties/introducing-ikervis

https://www.medicines.ie/medicines/ikervis-1-mg-ml-eye-drops-emulsion-32417/