Generic Allergy Eye Drops

Generic allergy eye drops work to combat common symptoms of allergic reactions. Antihistamine eye drops often use ingredients such as ketotifen or olopatadine hydrochloride to stop your eyes from itching. If your eyes are red, you might see better results from a product that contains a lubricant such as glycerin. CVS Health Redness Relief eye drops and similar products use naphazoline hydrochloride to help reduce the size of your blood vessels and restore your eyes to normal. Each product uses an ophthalmic solution to deliver the active ingredient directly to the painful area; the liquid also helps hydrate and calm dry, irritated eyes.

Generic eye drops go by a variety of names. Typically, manufacturers use names that include the symptom and the active ingredient; this makes it easy to find the right product. Look for eye drops that target dryness, itching or redness. Common ingredients include olopatadine HCl and ketotifen fumarate.

When you buy generic allergy eye drops over the counter, you're usually getting the same formulas as you do with name-brand versions. CVS Health Eye Itch Relief and Zaditor Eye Itch Relief both use ketotifen fumarate. In some cases, the generic solution might have a slightly different concentration of the active ingredient. 

Before you apply eye drops, wash your hands with soap and water, and make sure the dropper is clean; this helps keep foreign items out of your eyes. Tilt your head back slightly, and pull gently on the skin beneath your eye to expose the inside of the lower eyelid. Squeeze the bottle to dispense one drop into the eye. Close your eyes, and wait a few minutes. If you can feel the liquid in the back of your throat, try pressing the inner corner of your eye to block the tear duct. When you open your eyes, use a tissue to blot any moisture under your eyes.