Should You Keep Your Eye Drops in the Fridge?

Do you know if your eye drops have to be refrigerated? If not, you're not alone. A lot of people don't know that some eye drops must be kept cold in order to remain effective.

In this blog post, we will talk about which eyes drops must be refrigerated, why, and how to store them correctly.

Related article: Can I Bring Eye Drops on a Plane? What You Need to Know!

Why Do Some Eye Drops Need to Be Refrigerated?

Eye drops are a crucial component in the management and treatment of various eye conditions, including glaucoma, dry eye, allergies, conjunctivitis, and others.

But improper storage conditions, and especially temperatures of your eye drops can significantly affect their efficacy and safety.

Eye drop storage temperatures

The need for refrigeration in some eye drops is primarily due to the ingredients they contain. Many formulations, especially those that are preservative-free, need a cool environment to maintain their stability and prevent bacterial growth. Refrigeration can extend the shelf life of these eye drops and ensure that their therapeutic properties remain effective until their expiration date. For drops containing sensitive compounds, cool temperatures prevent degradation, ensuring that each dose administered is both safe and effective. The recommended refrigeration temperature for these refrigerated eye drops is typically between 2°C and 8°C (35°F to 46°F).

Additionally, depending on your specific eye condition and doctor's recommendations, applying cold eye drops can have additional benefits, such as reducing itching and swelling in conditions like allergic conjunctivitis. The cool temperature can also help soothe eyes after exposure to irritants or during episodes of dry eye by providing a refreshing sensation that may temporarily relieve discomfort.

In any case, whether they need to be refrigerated or not before use, all eye drops must be stored at controlled temperatures. For eye drops that do not require refrigeration, they typically must be stored between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Keeping them within this range helps maintain their efficacy and safety. It is crucial to avoid exposing your eye drops to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, as well as direct sunlight, which can alter their chemical structure and effectiveness.

Related article: Why You Should Use Latanoprost at Night?

Which Eye Drops Need to Be Refrigerated?

As noted earlier, not every type of eye drop requires refrigeration. Below, we outline specific storage guidelines for several commonly used eye drops. However, it's crucial to consult the specific storage instructions provided with your eye drops to ensure optimal effectiveness and safety. Always refer to the packaging or accompanying leaflet for precise details and follow the storage instructions.

Should Latanoprost (Xalatan) be refrigerated?

Latanoprost (Xalatan) eye drops are a common treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, managing the pressure within the eye.

To maintain their effectiveness, unopened bottles of Latanoprost should be refrigerated at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C (35°F to 46°F). Once opened, these eye drops can typically be stored at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) but must be used within six weeks.

The cool storage before opening helps preserve the active ingredients in Latanoprost eye drops, ensuring the medication remains potent and free from contamination.

Related article: Glaucoma: Does Latanoprost Need to Be Refrigerated?

Should you refrigerate Systane eye drops?

Systane eye drops are widely used for the relief of dry eye symptoms. These drops do not need to be refrigerated and should be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat.

Keeping Systane at room temperature ensures the solution's viscosity remains consistent, allowing for proper application. The manufacturer specifies that Systane eye drops should be kept between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

Do Combigan eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Combigan eye drops, which are used to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure, do not require refrigeration.

These eye drops should be stored at a controlled room temperature, typically between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F), and away from light.

Proper storage of Combigan ensures the stability of its active ingredients, brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate, which are crucial for its pressure-reducing effects.

Like many other eye medications, it is essential to avoid exposing Combigan eye drops to extreme temperatures and to use the drops within 28 days after opening to preserve their effectiveness.

Do Refresh eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Refresh lubricant eye drops are formulated to relieve symptoms of dry eye and do not need to be refrigerated.

These drops should be stored at room temperature, ideally between 15°C and 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

Avoid exposing Refresh eye drops to high temperatures or direct sunlight, as this can affect the formulation.

Do Timolol eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Timolol eye drops, sold under various brand names like Eysano, Timoptol, Tiopex, Timoptic, and others, are used to treat glaucoma and help reduce intraocular pressure.

Generally, these eye drops do not require refrigeration and can be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture, typically between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F), to help maintain their stability and effectiveness throughout their shelf life.

However, different brands might use varying preservatives or have unique formulations containing Timolol, which could affect storage requirements. Therefore, it is crucial to consult the packaging or accompanying leaflet of your specific product for exact storage instructions.

Do Travatan eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Travatan Z (travoprost), another eye drop medication used for lowering eye pressure in glaucoma patients.

According to the manufacturer, Travatan eye drops can be refrigerated or stored at room temperature, as the recommended storage temperature range is between 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F). However, it should never be exposed to temperatures above that range, even briefly.

Do Lumigan (Bimatoprost) eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Lumigan eye drops (bimatoprost), commonly used for the treatment of glaucoma and high eye pressure, do not need to be refrigerated.

These drops should be stored at room temperature, ideally between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F). It is important to keep them away from light and moisture to preserve their effectiveness, and to never expose them to temperatures above 25°C (77°F).

This storage condition helps maintain the stability of the active ingredient, bimatoprost, ensuring it remains effective until the expiration date. Always ensure the cap is securely fastened after each use to prevent contamination.

Do Moxifloxacin eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Moxifloxacin eye drops, which are used for treating bacterial eye infections, do not need to be refrigerated.

These antibiotic eye drops should be stored at a controlled room temperature, between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F), and away from both direct light and moisture. Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the drug's efficacy and minimizing the risk of contamination. Ensure the bottle is tightly closed after each use and follow the specific disposal instructions after the treatment is complete or by the expiration date.

Do Prednisolone eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Prednisolone eye drops, sold in the USA under various brand names such as AK-Pred, Econopred Plus, Inflamase, Ocu-Pred, Omnipred, Pred Forte, and others, are used for reducing inflammation and managing symptoms of eye irritation.

These eye drops generally do not need to be refrigerated. These steroid eye drops can typically be kept at room temperature, away from light and moisture, and stored between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

Nonetheless, variations in preservatives or unique formula compositions with Prednisolone across different brands could influence storage guidelines. It's imperative to refer to the specific packaging or the included leaflet of your particular eye drops to obtain precise storage directions.

Do Tobramycin eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Tobramycin eye drops, which are used for treating bacterial infections in the eye, do not require refrigeration. These antibiotic eye drops should be stored at room temperature, between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F), and away from heat, direct light and moisture. Keeping Tobramycin eye drops at room temperature ensures the stability of the antibiotic, maintaining its efficacy throughout the course of treatment. Always ensure the cap is secured tightly after each use to avoid contamination.

Do Rocklatan eye drops refrigerated?

Rocklatan eye drops (netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution), a combination medication used for reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients, should be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C (35°F to 46°F) until the initial opening.

After opening, Rocklatan eye drops can be stored either in the refrigerator or at room temperature (up to 25°C) for up to six weeks. Refrigeration prior to opening helps preserve the effectiveness of the active ingredients, ensuring optimal performance of the medication until its use.

Should Dorzolamide eye drops be refrigerated?

Dorzolamide eye drops, sold under the brand name Trusopt Ocumeter and Trusopt Ocumeter Plus, are used to treat glaucoma to decrease intraocular pressure.

They do not need to be refrigerated but must be protected from heat. These eye drops should be stored at room temperature, ideally between 20°C and 25°C (68°F to 77°F), in a dry place away from light. As with other eye medications, it is important to close the container tightly after each use to maintain sterility and effectiveness.

Do Tacrolimus eye drops need to be refrigerated?

Tacrolimus eye drops, often used for treating severe allergic eye conditions or to prevent rejection in corneal transplants, typically need to be refrigerated.

The recommended storage condition for unopened Tacrolimus eye drops is between 2°C and 8°C (35°F to 46°F) to ensure the medication remains stable and effective. Once opened, some formulations may allow storage at room temperature for a limited time; however, it is crucial to consult the specific packaging or product leaflet for precise instructions.

Related article: How to Travel with Eye Drops That Need Refrigeration?

List of Other Eye Drops That Should Be Refrigerated

There are likely hundreds to perhaps thousands different types and brands of eye drops available in the U.S. market. This includes a wide range of products designed for various eye conditions and symptoms, from major pharmaceutical brands to generic options and different formulations such as preservative-free versions, multi-dose units, and varying strengths for specific conditions like glaucoma, allergies, or dry eyes.

Each type and brand of eye drop comes with its own storage temperature requirements. Given the vast array of options, it is impractical to list all the storage guidelines here. We strongly recommend that you consult the storage instructions provided with your specific eye medication to ensure proper care.

Meanwhile, here's a list of more eye drops that do require refrigeration:

• Cyclosporine eye drops
• Fluorescein eye drops
• IGF-1 eye drops
• Ceftazidime eye drops
• Ganciclovir eye drops
• Bevacizumab eye drops (under research)
• Fortified tobramycin eye drops
• Gentamicin eye drops
• Interferon eye drops (under research)
• Vitamin A eye drops
• Others

How Long Are Eye Drops Good For?

The shelf life of eye drops, both before and after opening, varies significantly based on their formulation, packaging, and preservatives used.

Before opening

Unopened eye drops generally have a shelf life of 1 to 3 years, depending on the specific ingredients and preservatives used. This expiry date assumes that the drops are stored correctly, typically at room temperature and away from direct light, unless otherwise specified (like those needing refrigeration). It's important to always check the expiration date printed on the bottle or box before use.

After opening

Once opened, the shelf life of eye drops can vary significantly. Preservative-free eye drops are often packaged in single-use vials and should be used immediately upon opening. If they are in multi-use bottles, they typically need to be used within 14 to 30 days after opening, as they lack preservatives that would help prevent bacterial growth.

Eye drops with preservatives can generally be used for up to 28 days after opening, though some may last longer up to 90 days. The preservatives help prevent microbial growth, which can contaminate the drops and pose a risk to eye health.

General Tips for Eye Drop Storage

• Check expiration dates. Always observe the expiry dates provided on the packaging. Do not use eye drops beyond these dates.
• Mark the opening date. It's a good practice to write the date of opening on the bottle to help keep track of how long the drops have been in use.
• Follow storage instructions. Adhere strictly to storage instructions. Some drops require refrigeration, while others should be kept at room temperature.
• Observe changes in the solution. If you notice any discoloration, cloudiness, or particulate matter in the eye drops, discard them immediately and ask for your doctor or pharmacist's advice.
• Maintain good hygiene. Avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface, including the eye, to prevent contamination.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your eye drops remain effective and safe for use, minimizing risks of eye infections or complications from improper medication usage.

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Article Last Updated on July 4, 2024