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AAAAI Allergy & Asthma Medication Guide: Eye Allergy Medications

Last updated: November 2006

Class	Generic name	Brand Name	Dosage	Tips/ Product Link
Antihistamines	Azelastine	Optivar Rx	1 drop each affected eye twice a day	Used for relief of the itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis Optivar Link
Antihistamines	Emadastine	Emadine Rx	1 drop each affected eye up to four times a day	Used for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis Emadine Package Insert
Antihistamine/ decongestants	Naphazoline/ pheniramine	Naphcon A Opcon-A Visine-A OTC	1 to 2 drops each affected eye up to four 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	1 drop each eye twice a day age 3 and older	Elestat Product Informatiion Use during the period of exposure. For relief of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. FDA Consumer Information
Antihistamine/ Mast cell Stabilizers	Olopatadine	Patanol 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 Package Insert
Corticosteroids	Loteprednol	Alrex Rx Lotemax	1 drop into the affected eye up to four 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 Consumer Information & Link to Package Insert Lotemax FDA Information
Decongestants	Naphazoline	Vasocon Albalon & Many Generic versions OTC	1 drop into affected eye every four 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”.
Mast Cell Stabilizers	Cromolyn	Crolom & 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.
	Ketotifen	Zaditor Rx	1 drop into the affected eye every 8 to 12 hours	Used for the temporary prevention of itching of the eye caused by allergies. Zaditor Consumer Information & Link to Package Insert Zaditor Product Link
	Lodoxamine	Alomide Rx	1 or 2 drops into each affected eye four times daily for up to 3 months	Alomide Package Insert 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	Alocril Product Information Used for the treatment of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
	Pemirolast	Alamast Rx	1 or 2 drops in each affected eye four times a day	Alamast Package Insert Used for the prevention of itching due to allergic conjunctivitis
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug	Ketorolac	Acular Rx	1 drop in each affected eye four times a day	Acular Package Insert 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.