hypromellose at a glance
Medicine class
Artificial tear and ocular lubricant
Main use
Relief of dry eyes and irritation associated with deficient tear production
Contact lenses
Preserved products should not be applied while soft contact lenses are being worn
Driving
Temporary blurred vision may occur; wait until vision is clear before driving or using machinery
What is hypromellose used for?
The selected UK products are licensed as artificial tears or ocular lubricants.
Relief of dry eyes and irritation associated with deficient tear production, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca, xerophthalmia and dry eye associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Protection or lubrication of the corneal surface in specified dry-eye conditions; Hypromellose Eye Drops BP also includes use during gonioscopy and in keratitis.
Lubrication of artificial eyes.
Hypromellose Eye Drops BP is also licensed to moisten hard contact lenses.
How does hypromellose work?
Hypromellose is an inert, slightly viscous polymer. It forms a clear lubricating layer over the eye, supplements the tear film and remains on the surface longer than water alone, reducing friction and dryness without a systemic pharmacological action.
hypromellose preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 0.32%, 0.32% w/v
How to take hypromellose
For use in the eye only. Wash your hands, tilt your head back, gently pull down the lower eyelid and apply the drops into the resulting pocket. Do not let the bottle tip touch the eye, eyelid, fingers or another surface; replace the cap promptly. Remove soft contact lenses before applying preserved drops and follow the product leaflet before reinserting them.
Use a mirror if this makes application easier.
Blink gently after application to spread the liquid.
Do not drive or operate machinery until any blurred vision has cleared.
hypromellose side effects
Common or expected effects
- Temporary blurred vision
- Mild stinging or eye irritation
- Eye redness
- A feeling that something is in the eye
Get urgent medical advice
- Stop using the drops and seek assessment if eye pain, persistent or worsening irritation, continuing redness, headache or changes in vision occur.
- Very rarely, phosphate-containing drops have been associated with cloudy corneal deposits in people with substantially damaged corneas.
hypromellose in pregnancy
Pregnancy data are limited, but systemic exposure after application to the eye is considered negligible and hypromellose is pharmacologically inert. Ask a pharmacist, prescriber or maternity professional whether the particular formulation is suitable.
hypromellose while breastfeeding
Effects on a breastfed infant are not anticipated because maternal systemic exposure from eye use is negligible. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about the individual product if the eye is damaged or several ophthalmic treatments are required.
hypromellose interactions
Clinically important systemic interactions are not expected, but topical eye treatments can affect one another at the eye surface.
Other ophthalmic medicines
Hypromellose may prolong their contact with the eye. Follow their leaflets or the prescriber's instructions rather than mixing products together.
Common questions about hypromellose
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is hypromellose used for?
It is an artificial tear used mainly to lubricate the eye and relieve dryness, grittiness and irritation associated with deficient tears.
Does hypromellose treat the cause of dry eyes?
It mainly replaces moisture and relieves symptoms; it does not correct every underlying cause of dry eye.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.