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Drug Profile

The information on this site is intended to supplement and enhance, not replace, the advice of a physician who is familiar with your medical history. Decisions about your health should always be made ONLY after detailed conversation with your doctor.

Generic drug name: artificial tears
Brand name(s): HYPOTEARS, REFRESH TEARS, TEARISOL, TEARS NATURALE, VISINE TEARS
GENERIC: available FAMILY: Artificial Tears
Find the drug label by searching at DailyMed.

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Warnings [top]

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Warnings

There is no information in the labels for these drugs. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you already are or are planning to become pregnant or to breast-feed.

Facts About This Drug [top]

Artificial tears are used to treat people who do not produce tears normally. You can also use them on a temporary basis to moisten dry eyes. Do not use artificial tears for more than three days unless your doctor has prescribed them.

To avoid eye infection, irritation, and other problems, take care to prevent contamination when applying eye drops. Do not allow the applicator tip to touch anything, including your eye. After applying drops, replace the cap tightly on the bottle.

Artificial tears are used to treat people who do not produce tears normally. You can also use them on a temporary basis to moisten dry eyes. Do not use artificial tears for more than three days unless your doctor has prescribed them.

To avoid eye infection, irritation, and other problems, take care to prevent contamination when applying eye drops. Do not allow the applicator tip to touch anything, including your eye. After applying drops, replace the cap tightly on the bottle.

Before You Use This Drug [top]

Tell your doctor if you have or have had:

  • allergy to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (artificial tears)

Tell your doctor about any other drugs you take, including aspirin, herbs, vitamins, and other nonprescription products.

When You Use This Drug [top]

  • If you wear hard contact lenses, take care not to float lens from eye when applying this drug.
  • Check with doctor if present symptoms continue for more than three days or become worse.

How to Use This Drug [top]

  • Follow directions for applying eye drops.
  • Prevent contamination by not touching applicator tip to any surface.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take double doses.
  • Do not share your medication with others.
  • Take the drug at the same time(s) each day.
  • Store at room temperature with lid on tightly. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not expose to heat, moisture, or strong light. Keep out of reach of children.

Interactions with Other Drugs [top]

Evaluations of Drug Interactions 2003 lists no drugs, biologics (e.g., vaccines, therapeutic antibodies), or foods as causing “highly clinically significant” or “clinically significant” interactions when used together with the drugs in this section. We also found no interactions in the drugs’ FDA-approved professional package inserts. However, as the number of new drugs approved for marketing increases and as more experience is gained with these drugs over time, new interactions may be discovered.

Adverse Effects [top]

Call your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • eye irritation that was not present before you started using artificial tears

Call your doctor if these symptoms continue:

  • blurred vision
  • matted or sticky eyelids

last reviewed July 31, 2024

Disclaimer

The information on this website is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before changing or discontinuing any medication.