AAAAI Allergy & Asthma Medication Guide

Last updated December 2009

Eye Medications

Class

Generic name

Brand Name

Dosage

Tips and Product Link

Antihistamines

Azelastine

Optivar
Rx

1 drop each affected eye twice a day.

Used for relief of the itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Same medication that is in Astelin Nasal Spray.

Optivar Web site

Emadastine

Emadine
Rx

1 drop each affected eye up to 4 times a day.

Used for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

 

Antihistamine/
decongestants

Naphazoline/
pheniramine

Naphcon A
Opcon-A
Visine-A
OTC
Store brands

1 to 2 drops each affected eye up to 4 times a day.

Used for relief of the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

This has a decongestant in addition to an antihistamine.

Opcon-A Product Information

Do not use for longer than three days without a physician’s advice.

Use of this product can cause a “rebound”.

Antihistamine/
mast cell stabilizers

Epinastine

Elestat
Rx

1 drop each eye twice a day.

Elestat Web site

Ketotifen

Zaditor
Alaway
OTC

1 drop every 8 to 12 hours.

Zaditor Web site

Alaway Web site

Olopatadine

Patanol 0.1%
Rx

1 drop in each eye twice a day at an interval of 6 to 8 hours.

 

Used to treat the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

Patanol Web site.

Same medication that is in Patanase Nasal Spray.

Pataday 0.2%
Rx

1 drop each eye once a day.

Once a day version of Patanol.

Pataday Web site

Corticosteroids

Loteprednol 0.2%

Alrex
Rx

1 drop into the affected eye up to 4 times a day.

Used for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

If used for longer than 14 days, an exam of the eye with magnification should be performed.

Alrex Web site

Loteprednol 0.5%

Lotemax
RX

1 to 2 drops 4 times a day.

For ocular inflammation under close supervision.

Lotemax Web site

Decongestants

Naphazoline

AK-Con
Vasocon
Albalon
and  many generic versions
OTC

1 drop into affected eye every 4 hours up to 72 hours of use.

Used to relieve redness associated with allergic eye conditions.

Do not use for longer than three days without a physician’s advice.

Use of this product can cause a “rebound”.

Homeopathic

Homeopathic dilution

Similasan For Allergy Eyes
Eye Drops #2

Use as needed.

Used for relief of symptoms due to eye allergies.

This is a homeopathic product meaning that the user accepts the idea that a very weak dose of a substance has a special healing energy. Homeopathy is considered unproven by physicians who practice evidence-based medicine.

Mast cell stabilizers

Cromolyn

Crolom and
Generic Cromolyn
Rx

1 drop each affected eye 4 to 6 times a day.

Used for relief of symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis and vernal keratitis.

Lodoxamine

Alomide
Rx

1 or 2 drops into each affected eye 4 times daily for up to 3 months.

Used to treat eye disorders such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis and vernal keratitis.

Nedocromil

Alocril
Rx

1 or 2 drops in each affected eye twice a day.

Used for the treatment of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Pemirolast

Alamast
Rx

1 or 2 drops in each affected eye 4 times a day.

Alamast Web site

Used for the prevention of itching due to allergic conjunctivitis.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Ketorolac

Acular
Rx

1 drop in each affected eye 4 times a day.

Used for the temporary relief of itching due to seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Do not use if allergic to aspirin and other non-steroidal inflammatory drugs.

If stored in refrigerator will sting less during application.

 



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