FDA warns consumers to stop using dozens of over-the-counter eye drops

30 October 2023

(WHTM) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is urging consumers to stop using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products from multiple major brands due to the risk of eye infections that may lead to vision loss or blindness.

The FDA first posted the warning Friday, explaining that officials had already urged the manufacturer to recall the affected products days before. The move came “after agency investigators found insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility and positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling of critical drug production areas in the facility,” the FDA wrote.


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The eye drop products were marketed under the following brands:

CVS Health

Leader (Cardinal Health)

Rugby (Cardinal Health)

Rite Aid

Target Up&Up

Velocity Pharma

CVS, Rite Aid and Target were in the process of removing the affected products from sale as of Friday, according to the FDA. The agency said, however, that Rugby, Leader and Velocity Pharma products may still be on the market.

The specific products affected by the warning are listed below.

Retailer/ LabelProductProduct InformationCVS HealthLubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/vLubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/vLubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single pack) Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/vLubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (twin pack)Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/vMulti-Action Relief Drops 15 mlPolyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye DropsLubricating Gel drops 10 mlPolyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye DropsLubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single pack)Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/vLubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/vMild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack) Polyethylene Glycol 400 Eye Drop ‘0.25% w/vRugby (Cardinal Health)Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 15 ml    Hypromellose 2910-0.3% w/v & Dextran 70- 0.1% Eye DropsPolyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops 15 mlPolyvinyl Alcohol Eye Drops 1.4% w/vLeader (Cardinal Health)Dry Eye Relief 10 mlPolyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye DropsLubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/vLubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/vDry Eye Relief 15 mlCarboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/vEye Irritation Relief 15 mlPolyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye DropsRite AidLubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/vLubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/vGentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15 mlHypromellose 0.3%, Glycerin 0.2%, Dextran 70 0.1% Eye DropsLubricant Gel Drops 15 mlCarboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/vLubricating Gel Drops 10 mlPolyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye DropsMulti-Action Relief Drops 15 mlPolyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye DropsTargetUp&Up Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops 30 mlPolyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye DropsUp&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15 ml (single pack)Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye DropsUp&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 30 ml (twin pack) Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/vVelocity Pharma LLCLubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v

As of Oct. 27, the FDA has not received any “adverse event reports of eye infection” connected with the eye drops.

Still, the agency is telling consumers to discard the drops.

Consumers and health providers should also report any negative reactions to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program, either online or via fax.

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