Systane Products for Dry Eyes

What do Systane products treat?

Systane products are used to treat and protect against burning, dry, itchy, and irritated eyes. These products are often called artificial tears.

Different Systane products contain different ingredients to help with your eye symptoms.

• Eye lubricants (propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, mineral oil, white petrolatum, hydromellose), which help lubricate your eyes to keep them moist
• Antihistamine (ketotifen), which blocks a substance in your body called histamine, which can cause allergy symptoms

Talk to your health care provider to see if Systane products may be right for you.

What are the possible side effects of Systane products?

Systane products are generally safe to use. Possible side effects include blurry vision or mild irritation, burning, or stinging in the eye.

Stop using the medicine if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.

What should I know before using Systane products?

Some Systane products come as single-dose vials that you use once and throw away after. Others come in a multidose bottle that you keep using until the bottle is finished or expired. Read the directions for the Systane product you are using to make sure you are using it correctly.

Do not use Systane products if they change color.

When using Systaine eye drops, gels, or ointment, do not touch the tip of the product to any surface. This may help prevent contamination or an eye infection.

Stop using Systane if you have eye pain, vision changes, continued redness or irritation in your eyes, if your eye condition worsens, or if your symptoms last 72 hours or more.

If you wear contact lenses, read the Systane product labeling carefully before using it. Some products are safe to use with contact lenses, while others require you to take the lenses out before using the product. If you have any questions about whether or not you can use a particular Systane product with contact lenses, ask your pharmacist.

There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Systane product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.