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Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: Drug information

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: Drug information
(For additional information see "Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: Patient drug information")

For abbreviations, symbols, and age group definitions used in Lexicomp (show table)
Brand Names: US
  • GenTeal Mild to Moderate [OTC] [DSC];
  • GenTeal Mild [OTC] [DSC];
  • GenTeal Severe [OTC];
  • Gonak [OTC] [DSC];
  • Goniosoft [OTC] [DSC];
  • Goniotaire [OTC];
  • Goniovisc [OTC] [DSC];
  • ImproVue [OTC];
  • Isopto Tears [OTC] [DSC];
  • OcuCoat Viscoadherent;
  • Pure & Gentle Lubricant [OTC];
  • Systane Overnight Therapy [OTC] [DSC];
  • Vista Gel Dry Eye Relief [OTC] [DSC]
Pharmacologic Category
  • Diagnostic Agent, Ophthalmic;
  • Lubricant, Ocular
Dosing: Adult
Eye irritation

Eye irritation: Ophthalmic: Instill 1 to 2 drops in affected eye(s) as needed.

Gonioscopic examination aid

Gonioscopic examination aid: Gonak, Goniosoft: Ophthalmic: Fill gonioscopic prism with solution as necessary.

Ophthalmic surgical aid

Ophthalmic surgical aid: OcuCoat Viscoelastic: Ophthalmic: Use during ophthalmic surgery as directed; consult specific product instructions.

Dosing: Kidney Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling; however, dosage adjustment unlikely due to low systemic absorption.

Dosing: Hepatic Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling; however, dosage adjustment unlikely due to low systemic absorption.

Dosing: Older Adult

Refer to adult dosing.

Dosage Forms: US

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Gel, Ophthalmic:

GenTeal Severe: 0.3% (10 g)

Systane Overnight Therapy: 0.3% (10 g [DSC])

Vista Gel Dry Eye Relief: 0.3% (10 mL [DSC])

Solution, Intraocular:

OcuCoat Viscoadherent: 2% (1 mL)

Solution, Ophthalmic:

Gonak: 2.5% (15 mL [DSC]) [contains benzalkonium chloride, edetate (edta) disodium]

Goniosoft: 2.5% (15 mL [DSC])

Goniotaire: 2.5% (15 mL)

Goniovisc: 2% (15 mL [DSC]); 2.5% (15 mL [DSC]) [contains benzalkonium chloride, edetate (edta) disodium]

Isopto Tears: 0.5% (15 mL [DSC]) [contains benzalkonium chloride]

Pure & Gentle Lubricant: 3 mg/mL (15 mL, 30 mL)

Solution, Ophthalmic [preservative free]:

GenTeal Mild: 0.2% (15 mL [DSC])

GenTeal Mild to Moderate: 0.3% (15 mL [DSC], 25 mL [DSC])

Solution Prefilled Syringe, Ophthalmic [preservative free]:

ImproVue: 1.7% (2 mL)

Generic Equivalent Available: US

May be product dependent

Administration: Adult

Ophthalmic: For ophthalmic use only. Remove contact lenses before using. Wash hands thoroughly before administration; do not touch tip of container to eye or any surface; replace cap after use. Do not reuse single-use syringes.

Gonak, Goniosoft: Not for use in conjunction with hot laser treatment. If solution dries on optical surfaces, let stand in cool water before cleansing.

Use: Labeled Indications

Eye irritation: Temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye or from exposure to wind and sun; protection against further eye irritation; relief of dry eyes.

Gonioscopic examination aid (Gonak, Goniosoft): For professional use during gonioscopic examination.

Ophthalmic surgical aid (OcuCoat Viscoelastic): Ophthalmic surgical aid in anterior segment surgical procedures, including cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.

Medication Safety Issues
Sound-alike/look-alike issues:

Isopto Tears may be confused with Isoptin.

Adverse Reactions

There are no adverse reactions listed in the manufacturer's labeling.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or any component of the formulation; in conjunction with hot laser treatment (Gonak, Goniosoft).

Warnings/Precautions

Other warnings/precautions:

• Appropriate use: Remove contact lenses prior to use. Do not use if solution changes color or becomes cloudy.

• Self-medication (OTC use): When used for self-medication, discontinue and contact a health care provider if eye pain, vision changes, continued redness, or eye irritation occur or if condition worsens or persists >72 hours.

Metabolism/Transport Effects

None known.

Drug Interactions

There are no known significant interactions.

Pricing: US

Gel (GenTeal Severe Ophthalmic)

0.3% (per gram): $0.86

Solution (Goniotaire Ophthalmic)

2.5% (per mL): $1.58

Solution (OcuCoat Viscoadherent Intraocular)

2% (per mL): $75.60

Solution (Pure & Gentle Lubricant Ophthalmic)

3 mg/mL (per mL): $0.56

Solution Prefilled Syringe (ImproVue Ophthalmic)

1.7% (per mL): $14.50

Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.

Brand Names: International
  • Artelac (AE, BG, BH, CY, DE, DK, FI, FR, GB, HU, IE, IL, IQ, IR, IS, JO, LB, LT, LU, LV, LY, NL, NO, OM, PH, PL, PT, QA, SA, SE, SI, SY, YE);
  • Artific (ES);
  • Celulose Grin (MX);
  • Eye Mo Moist (HK);
  • Genteal (AE, AR, AU, BR, CO, DE, EC, ID, IL, IN, KR, LK, NZ, SG, TH, VN);
  • Hicel (LK);
  • Humalac B (HU);
  • Hydromoor (GB, IE);
  • Ilube (PH);
  • Isopto Plain (AE, CY, IE, IQ, IR, JO, LB, LY, OM, QA, SA, SE, SY, YE);
  • Isopto Tears (BF, BJ, CH, CI, ET, GH, GM, GN, HR, KE, LR, LU, MA, ML, MR, MU, MW, NE, NG, PL, SC, SD, SL, SN, TN, TZ, UG, ZA, ZM, ZW);
  • Lac-Oph (HK);
  • Lacrisifi (PE);
  • Lacrystat (LU);
  • Lagrimas Artificiales (GT, HN, NI, SV);
  • Methocel (PL, SG);
  • Methopt Eye Drops (AU, NZ, TW);
  • Meticel (CR, DO, PA);
  • Metilcellulosa (IT);
  • Miltear (TH);
  • Moisol (ZW);
  • Natear (TH);
  • Natear UD (TH);
  • Naturalag (MX);
  • Occucoat (LU);
  • Ocucoat (KR);
  • Ocucort (KR);
  • Ocufreshs (TH);
  • Opsil Tears (TH);
  • Optal Tears (TH);
  • OQ-Coat (CO);
  • Poly-Tears Eye Drops (NZ);
  • Prosicca (AT);
  • Seaview Sofs (TH);
  • Spersatear (ZA);
  • Syseye (VN);
  • Tears Naturale (AE, KR, KW, NZ, PL, SA);
  • Tears Naturale II (CY, SA);
  • Ultra Tears (CH);
  • Viscomet (LK);
  • Viscotraan (ZA)


For country code abbreviations (show table)
  1. Genteal Mild (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Fort Worth, TX: Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation; September 2012.
  2. Genteal Mild to Moderate (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Fort Worth, TX: Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation; September 2012.
  3. Genteal Severe (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Fort Worth, TX: Alcon Laboratories Inc; received April 2020.
  4. Gonak Hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Lake Forest, IL: Akorn Inc; August 2011.
  5. Goniosoft (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Rosenberg, TX: OCuSOFT Inc; December 2012.
  6. Goniovisc (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Rancho Cucamonga, CA: HUB Pharmaceuticals, LLC; August 2016.
  7. ImproVue (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Port St. Lucie, FL: Oculous Surgical; June 2014.
  8. Isopto Tears (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Fort Worth, TX: Alcon Laboratories Inc; April 2010.
  9. Natural Balance Tears (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Livonia, MI: Major Pharmaceuticals; December 2011.
  10. Natures Tears (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Duluth, GA: Rugby Laboratories Inc; November 2011.
  11. OcuCoat Visoelastic (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Bridgewater, NJ; Bausch and Lomb.
  12. Systane (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Fort Worth, TX: Alcon Laboratories Inc; June 2016.
  13. Vista Gel Dry Eye Relief (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) [prescribing information]. Scottsdale, AZ: Hi-Health; September 2020.
Topic 8979 Version 170.0