Bausch + Lomb News
Bausch + Lomb Launches Alaway® Preservative-Free Antihistamine Eye Drops
First FDA-Approved OTC Preservative-Free Antihistamine Eye Drop for the Relief of Itchy Eyes Associated with Allergies
Now Rolling out to Major U.S. Retailers
Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business, announces the U.S. launch of Alaway® Preservative Free (ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.035%) antihistamine eye drops, the first and only over-the-counter (OTC) preservative-free antihistamine eye itch relief drop approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"As we head into spring, millions of Americans with allergies will experience itchy eyes, one of the eye symptoms that affects approximately 80 percent of people with allergies,”1 said Joe Gordon, U.S. president, Bausch + Lomb. “With the availability of Alaway® Preservative Free antihistamine eye drops, consumers now have a new over-the-counter option that provides fast, lasting eye itch relief without the use of preservatives."
During allergy season, irritating particles in the air, like pollen, can cause eyes to release histamines that can cause puffy, itchy eyes. Alaway® Preservative Free is a new, OTC prescription-strength formula that is formulated to block the release of histamines and reduce allergic inflammation. Working right at the source of eye itch symptoms, Alaway provides relief within minutes and lasts up to 12 hours with one dose.
“Many of my patients who suffer from seasonal or perennial allergies tend to rely on oral allergy medication to address their symptoms. However, oral allergy medication may not provide them with the eye itch relief that they need,” said Arthur Epstein, OD, director of Clinical Research, Phoenix Eye Care, Arizona. “Alaway® is a proven antihistamine eye drop that provides patients fast-acting and long-lasting eye itch relief where they need it. Now, with the preservative-free Alaway® formula, patients who have allergies now have a new option with less risk of irritation associated with preservatives to help relieve their eye itch symptoms.”
Alaway Preservative-Free will be available for purchase at most national retailers, including Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Amazon. A 10-day supply (20 single-dose vials) will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $14.99.
For more information on Alaway® eye drops, visit www.alaway.com
References
1. The 2018 U.S. Study of Allergies, Multi-sponsor Surveys, Inc. February 2018.