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Examples
Over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Chemical Name |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Eyes | naphazoline hydrochloride | |
| Visine | tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride |
Over-the-counter antihistamine plus decongestant eyedrops
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Chemical Name |
|---|---|---|
| Naphcon-A Solution, Opcon-A Solution | naphazoline hydrochloride/pheniramine maleate |
Over-the-counter antihistamine eyedrops
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Chemical Name |
|---|---|---|
| Alaway, Zaditor | ketotifen fumarate |
Prescription anti-inflammatory eyedrops
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Chemical Name |
|---|---|---|
| Acular | ketorolac tromethamine |
Prescription antihistamine eyedrops
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Chemical Name |
|---|---|---|
| Elestat | epinastine hydrochloride | |
| Patanol | olopatadine |
Mast cell stabilizers
| Brand Name | Generic Name | Chemical Name |
|---|---|---|
| Crolom | cromolyn sodium | |
| Alomide | lodoxamide tromethamine |
How It Works
Eyedrops relieve the eyes of redness, itching, and watering caused by allergies, or they reduce these symptoms.
How Well It Works
Eyedrops often provide prompt relief of itching and watering. How much relief you get depends on the type of eyedrops you use.
Side Effects
Side effects of eyedrops may include:
- Temporary stinging or burning of the eyes when you first apply the drops.
- Damage to contact lenses. You should not wear contacts while using eyedrops.
Ketorolac can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin. Ketorolac can also cause excess bleeding in people with bleeding disorders or who are on medicines such as aspirin that may also cause excess bleeding.
Do not use decongestant eyedrops more than 3 days in a row. Using these eyedrops for too long can cause congestion to occur when you are not having an allergic reaction. This effect is similar to the rebound congestion of nasal decongestant sprays.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Avoid using eyedrops for a long period of time.
Do not use these types of eyedrops to treat a bacterial infection of the eye (conjunctivitis).
Cromolyn works more slowly than antihistamine eyedrops.
People who have narrow-angle glaucoma cannot use Opcon-A Solution, Naphcon-A Solution, and Vasocon-A Solution.
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should talk to their doctors before using eyedrops.
Children cannot use all eyedrops. Talk with your doctor before using them on your child.
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: August 8, 2007 |
| Medical Review: |
Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology |
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