Recall Alert: FDA Warns Against Using 26 Over-the-Counter Eye Drops

The Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of 26 different types of eye drops, all sold without a prescription.

The drops pose a potential risk of eye infection which can lead to partial loss of vision or total blindness.

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The FDA said the eye drops were sold at CVS, Rite Aid and Target under the following brand names:

• CVS Health
• Lubricating Eye Drops 15ml (Single Pack), Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
• Lubricating Eye Drops 15ml (Double Pack), Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
• Lubricating Gel Drops 15ml (Single Pack), Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v
• Lubricating Gel Drops 15ml (Double Pack), Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v
• Multi-Action Relief Drops 15ml, Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v and Povidone 0.6% w/v and Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
• Lubricating gel drops 10 ml, polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% and propylene glycol 0.3% eye drops
• Lubricating Eye Drops 10ml (Single Pack), Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v
• Lubricating Eye Drops 10ml (Double Pack), Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v
• Light Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15ml (Single Pack), Polyethylene Glycol 400 Eye Drops 0.25% w/v
• Leader (Cardinal Health)
• Dry Eye Relief 10ml, Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% and Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
• Lubricating Eye Drops 15ml (Single Pack), Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
• Lubricating Eye Drops 15ml (Double Pack), Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
• Dry Eye Relief 15ml, Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v
• Eye Irritation Relief 15ml, Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v and Povidone 0.6% w/v and Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
• Rugby (Cardinal Health)
• Lubricating tears, eye drops 15 ml, hypromellose 2910-0.3% w/v and Dextran 70-0.1%, eye drops
• Polyvinyl alcohol 1.4% lubricating eye drops 15 ml, polyvinyl alcohol eye drops 1.4% w/v
• Help with rites
• Lubricating Eye Drops 15ml (Double Pack), Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
• Lubricating Eye Drops 10ml (Double Pack), Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v
• Gentle Lubricating Gel Eye Drops 15 ml, Hypromellose 0.3%, Glycerin 0.2%, Dextran 70 0.1% Eye Drops
• Lubricating gel drops 15 ml, sodium carboxymethylcellulose eye drops 1% w/v
• Lubricating gel drops 10 ml, polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% and propylene glycol 0.3% eye drops
• Multi-Action Relief Drops 15ml, Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v and Povidone 0.6% w/v and Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
• Target Up and Down
• Up&Up Lubricant for Dry Eye Relief, Eye Drops 30ml, Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% and Propylene Glycol 0.3%, Eye Drops
• Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15ml (Single Pack), Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% and Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
• Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 30ml (Double Pack), Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
• Velocity Pharmaceuticals
• Lubricating eye drops 10 ml (triple pack), propylene glycol eye drops 0.6% w/v

They were supposed to be sterile, but the FDA said it found unsanitary conditions at the manufacturing plant where they were made. Tests conducted in the drug production areas of the facility where the drops were manufactured revealed the presence of bacteria.

If you have eye drops, the FDA recommends throwing them away.

CVS, Rite Aid and Target are removing affected drops from stores and websites, but some under the Leader, Rugby and Velocity brands may still be available in other stores and online and should not be purchased, the FDA said .

No adverse effects from the eye drops have been reported, but if you experience a problem after using them, the FDA advises you to call your doctor.

Cox Media Group 2023