Medication

Refresh Optive Sensitive

Generic name:

Pharmacist-reviewed drug information from the RxWiki encyclopedia.

Overview

Refresh Optive Sensitive is an over the counter medication product used for relief and prevention of eye irritation caused by dryness, wind, and/or sun. It is a single product containing 2 active ingredients: carboxymethylcellulose and glycerin. Both ingredients belongs to a class of medications called ocular (eye) lubricants. These work to relieve eye irritation and dryness by lubricating the moving parts of the eye, eyelid, and surrounding structures.

This medication comes in eyedrop form and is typically administered on an as needed basis.

Common side effects of Refresh Optive Sensitive include eye redness, stinging, and burning.

Refresh Optive Sensitive can also cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Refresh Optive Sensitive affects you.

What is it used for?

Refresh Optive Sensitive is an over the counter medication product used for relief and prevention of eye irritation, burning, and other discomfort caused by dryness, sun, and/or wind.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How to take it

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor or as directed on the label. 

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

  • the condition being treated
  • other medical conditions you have
  • other medications you are taking
  • how you respond to this medication
  • your age

The recommended amount of Refresh Optive Sensitive to administer for relief and prevention of eye irritation caused by dryness, sun, and/or wind is 1 to 2 drops into to the inside of the eyelid of the affected eye(s).

Warnings

Serious side effects have been reported with Refresh Optive Sensitive including the following:

  • Acute allergic reactions. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and/or trouble breathing.
  • Eye infections. To prevent contamination and potential infection, care should be taken to avoid touching the bottle tip to eyelids or to any other surface. The use of this bottle by more than one person may spread infection. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Do not use Refresh Optive Sensitive if you are allergic to Refresh Optive Sensitive or to any of its ingredients.

Refresh Optive Sensitive can also cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Refresh Optive Sensitive affects you. 

Side effects

Serious side effects have been reported with Refresh Optive Sensitive. See the “Refresh Optive Sensitive Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Refresh Optive Sensitive include the following:

  • eye redness
  • temporary eye stinging and/or burning upon administration
  • vision changes
  • eye irritation
  • blurred vision

This is not a complete list of Refresh Optive Sensitive side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drug interactions

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy. Refresh Optive Sensitive has not yet been evaluated on safety for use during pregnancy.

 

Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Refresh Optive Sensitive crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Refresh Optive Sensitive.

All information on this site is provided “as-is” for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health.