What are Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops?

Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops are a treatment for hay fever symptoms that affect your eyes, including redness, watering, and itching. If you’re sick of pollen season leaving you looking like you’re crying, if your eyes are streaming and ruining your makeup, or if the itching is driving you crazy, these eye drops can help. They tackle your symptoms at their cause, soothing your irritation so you can forget about those pesky hay fever symptoms all day long.

Why does hayfever make my eyes itchy and watery?

When you have hayfever, your body is sensitive to a substance called pollen, which is released by pollen, especially over spring and summer. When you get pollen in your system, your body produces a substance called histamine to try and get rid of the allergen, telling different parts of your body to trigger allergic reactions. This causes your hay fever symptoms, including:

• Watery, red eyes
• A blocked or runny nose
• Itchy eyes, ears, nose, and throat
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy skin rash

How will Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops relieve my allergy symptoms?

Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops contain an anti-allergy ingredient called sodium cromoglicate, which prevents the release of histamine into your eyes. This prevents hayfever symptoms in your eyes and protects you throughout the day, relieving symptoms like itching, watering, redness, and swelling. By working in this way, these eye drops deal with your symptoms at their source, providing effective relief whenever you need it.

Can I use these eye drops with my contact lenses?

Whether you can use Optrex Hayfever eye drops will depend on the type of contact lenses you use. These eye drops should not be used with soft contact lenses, as they contain an ingredient called benzalkonium chloride which can be absorbed by these lenses, causing discolouration. Other types of contact lenses may be suitable to use with these eye drops but you should ask your doctor, pharmacist, or optometrist first to be sure. If they give you the go-ahead, then you’ll have to remove your contact lenses before using the eye drops and then wait for at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.

Can I drive after using these allergy eyedrops?

After using Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops you may experience temporary blurred vision, which will usually pass quickly. If this happens to you, you should wait until the effect has completely passed before you attempt to drive or use any tools or machinery.

Can I use allergy eye drops when I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication, including Optrex eye drops. Medical professionals suggest avoiding taking unnecessary medications during pregnancy, but if your symptoms are bothering you, they may recommend hay fever eye drops like these instead of antihistamine tablets. Either way, you should only take these drops if you’re told to do so by a medical professional.

How to use these hayfever eye drops

Before each use you should wash your hands thoroughly and remove the cap from the bottle of drops. Use one hand to gently pull down your lower eyelid, forming a gap between your eyelid and eyeball. Use the other hand to gently squeeze the bottle of drops to dispense 1 – 2 Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops into the space between your eye and eyelid. Close your eyes to disperse the drops evenly over your eyes and then wipe away any excess drops with a tissue. For best results, use 1 – 2 drops in each eye 4 times a day.

When should this product not be used?

This product is not suitable for use in children under the age of 6. Do not use Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops if you’re allergic to sodium cromoglicate or any of the other listed ingredients. For use in the eyes only, do not swallow. If you’re using any other medication you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using these eye drops. This especially applies if you are already using eye drops, eye ointment, or any other eye medicines.

Do Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops have side effects?

Like all medications, Optrex Hayfever Eye Drops can have side effects, although not everyone will experience them. These side effects include:

• Worsening of your current allergy symptoms, e.g. itching, redness, or swelling
• Stinging, burning, or blurry eyes after using the drops. This will usually pass after a short time
• Mild eye irritation

If you experience these or any other side effects while using this product, speak to your doctor or pharmacist right away. If your symptoms are severe, seek immediate medical assistance. For more information about reporting the side effects of medication, please see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.

How to store this product

Store in a cool, dry place which is below 25 degrees C. Do not use this product if the expiry date printed on the original packaging has passed. Once opened use within 4 months. Keep out of sight and reach of children.

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.