Drug Database: Trifluridine (Ophthalmic)

What is trifluridine (ophthalmic)? What is trifluridine (ophthalmic)?

What is trifluridine (ophthalmic)?

Trifluridine (ophthalmic) is an antiviral prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of certain types of herpes simplex virus (HSV) eye (ophthalmic) infections called HSV keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis.

HSV eye infections can be opportunistic infections (OIs) of HIV. An OI is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as people with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems. To learn more about OIs, read the HIVinfo What is an Opportunistic Infection? fact sheet.

How is trifluridine (ophthalmic) used in people with HIV? How is trifluridine (ophthalmic) used in people with HIV?

How is trifluridine (ophthalmic) used in people with HIV?

The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV and/or the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV include recommendations on the use of trifluridine (ophthalmic) in people with HIV to treat:

• Certain types of HSV eye infections
• Mpox that has affected the eyes (ocular mpox)

The recommended uses may not always be consistent with FDA-approved uses of trifluridine (ophthalmic). See the Adult and Pediatric Opportunistic Infection Guidelines for complete information on recommended uses of trifluridine (ophthalmic) in adults and children with HIV. Trifluridine (ophthalmic) may have other recommended uses not listed above.

What should I tell my health care provider before using trifluridine (ophthalmic)? What should I tell my health care provider before using trifluridine (ophthalmic)?

What should I tell my health care provider before using trifluridine (ophthalmic)?

Before using trifluridine (ophthalmic), tell your health care provider:

• If you are allergic to trifluridine (ophthalmic) or any other medicines.
• About any medical conditions you have or have had.
• About anything that may affect your ability to use trifluridine (ophthalmic), such as difficulty applying drops to the eye(s) or trouble with remembering a scheduled dose.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of using trifluridine (ophthalmic) during pregnancy.
• If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. For mothers with HIV in the United States, the Guideline recommends speaking with your health care provider to discuss options for feeding your baby. Mothers with suppressed viral load have a less than 1% chance of transmitting HIV to their baby via their own milk. Although most medicines are safe to use while breastfeeding, some medicines should be avoided. Always let your health care provider know about all the medicines and supplements you are using before you start breastfeeding.
• About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Trifluridine (ophthalmic) may affect the way other medicines or products work, and other medicines or products may affect how trifluridine (ophthalmic) works. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between trifluridine (ophthalmic) and the other medicines you take.

How should I use trifluridine (ophthalmic)? How should I use trifluridine (ophthalmic)?

How should I use trifluridine (ophthalmic)?

Use trifluridine (ophthalmic) according to your health care provider’s instructions. Your health care provider will tell you how much trifluridine (ophthalmic) to use and when to use it. Before you start trifluridine (ophthalmic) and each time you get a refill, read any printed information that comes with your medicine.

What side effects can trifluridine (ophthalmic) cause? What side effects can trifluridine (ophthalmic) cause?

What side effects can trifluridine (ophthalmic) cause?

Trifluridine (ophthalmic) may cause side effects that can be mild or serious. To learn about possible side effects of trifluridine (ophthalmic), see the FDA drug label or talk to your health care provider or pharmacist. Tell your health care professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some side effects.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or online.

How should trifluridine (ophthalmic) be stored? How should trifluridine (ophthalmic) be stored?

How should trifluridine (ophthalmic) be stored?

• Store trifluridine (ophthalmic) solution in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C).
• Do not use trifluridine (ophthalmic) if the original seal over the container opening is broken or missing.
• Throw away trifluridine (ophthalmic) that is no longer needed or expired (out of date). Follow FDA guidelines on how to safely dispose of unused medicine.
• Keep trifluridine (ophthalmic) and all medicines out of reach of children.

Where can I find more information about trifluridine (ophthalmic)? Where can I find more information about trifluridine (ophthalmic)?

Where can I find more information about trifluridine (ophthalmic)?

• Recommendations on the HIV-related uses of trifluridine (ophthalmic), from the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV and the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV.
• This Patient Version drug summary is based on the following FDA label(s): Solution.
• Research studies related to trifluridine (ophthalmic), from ClinicalTrials.gov. (The ClinicalTrials.gov search can be modified so that you can get results that better match your interests.)