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Home > Drug Category > Eye Care > Refresh and Equivalent

Refresh Information

Refresh (Eye lubricant) is used to relieve dry, irritated eyes. Common causes for dry eyes include wind, sun, heating/air conditioning, computer use/reading, and certain medications. Ocular lubricants like Refresh keep the eye moist, help protect the eye from injury and infection, and decrease symptoms of dry eyes such as burning, itching, and feeling as if something is in the eye.

Refresh Side Effects

The most common side effects of Refresh may include temporarily blurred vision and mild burning or stinging. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects, such as:
• Eye pain;
• Persistent eye irritation;
• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, breathing difficulties, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat;
• Vision changes

Refresh Precautions

Do not use Refresh if you are allergic to Eye lubricant or other ingredients in this medication. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, including if you think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are planning to breastfeed. Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Refresh and other eye medications. Do not use Refresh if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant without informing your doctor. It is not known whether Eye lubricant will harm an unborn baby. Discuss the benefits and risks of using this drug in pregnancy with your doctor. Do not use Refresh while breastfeeding without talking to your doctor. It is unknown if Eye lubricant passes into breast milk or if it may harm a nursing infant. Do not give this drug to children without talking to your doctor.

Use your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Refresh comes as an eye lubricant. Wash hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or the ointment tube tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. Always replace the cap tightly after each use. Tilt your head back, look up, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. For drops/gels, place the dropper directly over the eye and squeeze out 1 or 2 drops as needed. Look down and gently close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of the eye near the nose and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining away from the eye. For an ointment, hold the tube directly over the eye and gently squeeze a small strip (one-fourth of an inch or roughly 6 millimeters) of ointment into the pouch. Release the eyelid, close the eye, and slowly roll your eye in all directions to spread the medication. Blot away any extra ointment from around the eye with a clean tissue. If you also use another kind of eye medication (such as drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using most eye lubricants. Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery. Store Refresh at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Refresh?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Refresh.