Alcaftadine ophthalmic for Conjunctivitis, Allergic User Reviews

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2012

"Initially, I really liked this medication. Much less initial sting after application than the drops I used before. However, after about two weeks of use, I had an allergic reaction that caused my eyes to appear as if I had conjunctivitis. Didn't realize it was the Lastacaft and went to the doctor for antibiotic drops. After my eyes cleared up in two or three days, I again applied Lastacaft and immediately looked like my eyeballs were bleeding. My vision got blurry, and my eyes were very sensitive to light. I am one of the <4% with an allergic reaction."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2011

"I loved these drops at first. Even was able to cut back on my nasal allergy medicine. However, after a month, I had a terrible reaction to it and ended up looking like I had pink eye in both eyes, in addition to swollen, horribly itchy eyelids. My luck, allergic to the allergy medicine. Don't panic if this happens to you, it'll go away in a couple of days."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2013

"I was prescribed Lastacaft for severe eye allergies. They did a good job at first, but after about a week, my eyes became red, swollen, and irritated again. After going back to my doctor and telling her that the Lastacaft didn't seem to be effective for me any longer, she prescribed Bepreve. This worked fabulously, and I had been using it religiously until I unexpectedly ran out of it early. I had some of the Lastacaft left, and since I wasn't having severe allergies at the time, I figured using it would hold me over until I could get the Bepreve refilled. I used it once and woke up the next morning looking like I had conjunctivitis in both eyes - awful. I can only surmise that I'm either allergic or highly sensitive to Lastacaft."

• Anonymous
• November 30, 2011

"I used them, and within 6 hours, my eyes swelled almost shut and cheeks puffed up. 2 weeks later, I still have red, watery eyes, but thankfully the swelling is finally gone. I will never use this product again (obviously), but it is also incredibly expensive. I have never had an allergic reaction to any medication before, so this was very unexpected."

• JSL...
• July 26, 2013

"A week after using Lastacaft, like with some of the other reviewers, I thought I had conjunctivitis and went in to see the doctor, indicating that it started after using the drops. He said it was due to dry eye issues and being around a lot of dust/debris, which made sense at the time. The antibiotic drops did the trick, but I was told to keep using Lastacaft, and sure enough, the redness returned. I continued with just the antibiotics, and I was back to normal. Well, this morning, I thought I'd start with Lastacaft again since the doctor indicated that they weren't the problem, and I'm back to having pink eye."

• Saa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2017

"Lastacaft is a dangerous medication that should be off the market! I have used it on 4 isolated occasions, and it took me the 5th time of burning my eye and severe allergic reaction to pinpoint the culprit. I threw away and replaced all my skincare and makeup, went to the ophthalmologist at least 8 visits; used steroid medicine to clear this up. This drop is horrible and dangerous. I paid $200 out of pocket for it and triple that to be treated to clear side effects. I am so angry I used it again today and burnt my eyes yet again; they look bloody red and swollen! It will take 3-4 days again to feel better. DO NOT USE!"

• TX5...
• September 21, 2014

"Used this a month ago for allergic conjunctivitis. Thought it worked. Have allergic conjunctivitis again. Used this product and, like others, my eyes are swollen and blood red. Hope to see the allergist tomorrow for help."

• Unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2022

"Started using Lastacaft two weeks ago, and it did OK for the first few days. After about a week, just as we were leaving on a week's vacation, I woke up with a terribly red and irritated right eye. I stopped using Lastacaft and I improved after two days. But I wasn’t sure that was the problem, so three days later I used it again. The next day my eye was so red, it looked like I had severe conjunctivitis and was very irritated. After reading these other reviews, I’m convinced that the Lastacaft is causing the problem. Everyone who has an adverse reaction to this product should contact the manufacturer and report it. They are required to keep records of all adverse reactions that are reported to them. You can also go onto the fda.gov website to report adverse reactions directly to the FDA for any medical product."

• sha...
• June 10, 2011

"Have tried so many medicines to help my dry eye. I mentioned to my doctor that during allergy season my eyes were worse, so he prescribed Lastacaft. I tried it right in the office and again the next day. Have been using it for 5 days now and have not had to use ANY other drops for dry eye! This is amazing as I was using drops multiple times a day. This doesn't burn or itch, but does kind of feel like I've used a cooling liquid in my eye, sort of like menthol, but it disappears within about a minute. Great product."

• Or ...
• November 2, 2011

"Nothing else worked for me. I tried Pataday and Bepreve before, and Lastacaft blew it out of the water. Super fast-acting, and I only use it less than once per day. My doctor loves this, and I will stick with it for life. My eyes used to be red and itch all day, and now they are clear and comfortable. Love it!"

• Zad...
• March 28, 2013

"I have been using Lastacaft for about two weeks. My ophthalmologist said to try an over-the-counter medication called Zaditor when the sample he gave me ran out since it is expensive even with insurance. So on Monday, I started the Zaditor, and my eyes started burning once again. I gave up today and bought the more expensive, but better-working, Lastacaft."

• TJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2022

"I used Lastacaft for several weeks. Initially, it stung, but I continued to use it because my doctor recommended it, and I believed it might help my allergies. Lastacaft gave me redness, swollen eyelids, burning itch. Apparently, I am allergic to it. But the reaction did not happen until several weeks of use."

• Bus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2013

"Applied after bathing at bedtime. Relief of eye itching was achieved totally in minutes. Bothersome tearing was all but gone by the morning. Lasted about 16 hours on a heavy pollen count day. Not covered by insurance, but I will spend to buy anyway."

• My ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2016

"I was prescribed Lastacaft twice a day and antibiotic drops three times a day (Doc said it was a viral infection). After eight days of use, I thought I was healed. So I stopped use. A week and a half later, for my follow-up appointment, the Doc recommended that I continue to use Lastacaft for two months. I was feeling fine, so I waited a few days to start up again with Lastacaft. I put the drops in one afternoon and ended up taking a nap and woke up with red swollen eyes and a disgusting film that was gelatin-like and almost looked like a worm! I called the Doc and he said it was fine to continue. Six days went by, I told him it's gotten worse, even the whites of my eyes look deformed with swollen pockets. My eyes clear up a little when I discontinue use of Lastacaft."

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2022

"I started using Lastacaft OTC in place of severe other OTC drops I had used but weren't working well. After a few days of using only one at night, I woke up with swollen, burning, and beet red eyes. The outside of my eyelids felt like they had been chemically burned. I went to my doctor, who prescribed antibiotic eye drops and Pataday allergy drops. My eyes cleared up after about 5 days. The Lastacaft and Pataday bottles are identical in size and shape, and I accidentally used the Lastacaft drops last night and woke up with the same burnt, swollen, beet red eyes this morning. This product needs to be removed from the market!"

• Let...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2020

"I had to stop using Lastacaft right away, first day I felt tired, sleepy, like about to get sick. I did not relate it to the product until I forgot to take it, and I started to feel better. The day after, I used it in the evening, and again I felt tired, dizzy, but in a way that I thought I was going to get very sick from something, almost like being drunk. I would not recommend this to anybody, it seems dangerous. The dose was one drop per day per eye."

• ben...
• January 24, 2015

"I have a combination of dry eyes and allergies. Started these drops on Jan 22, 2015, and have already felt some relief from that scratchy feeling in my eyes, especially my right one. Doc said I wouldn't notice an immediate difference, but I do feel much better. I'm just appalled at the price of the drops (hence a 6 rating)."

• Wat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2015

"I've spent a lifetime with itchy, watery eyes. Even had surgery to open my tear ducts, and the tears still ran down my face. A friend recommended these and let me try them before spending the big bucks. I IMMEDIATELY had relief that I haven't had in years! Luckily, my insurance covers it and I'm only out $20, but I would honestly spend whatever it takes to have this stuff. I can finally wear eye makeup and keep it on for more than an hour, and people have stopped asking me why I'm crying."

• Arb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2018

"I think I've tried just about everything for the severe allergic reactions I get in my eyes. My doctor gave me a sample of Lastacaft, and it's the most effective thing I've found. I just can't afford it."

• PCa...
• September 30, 2015

"I'm a contact lens wearer and also have an eye allergy. I have to apply the Lastacaft 15 minutes prior to inserting my lenses in the morning. Even though I wear daily disposables, I would not be able to wear contacts without these eye drops. I highly recommend them, but they are also about $60 for a sample-size bottle. This cost is with my Blue Cross insurance. I can afford it, but I wonder if any research is being done to create a generic of the same product. I have researched this online, but I have not found anything."

• yog...
• January 4, 2019

"I don't mind that it's pricey - if it's effective - but this is a dangerous product!! After putting in tiny drops before going to bed, I woke up looking like a worm (or should I say goldfish) the next morning - swollen eyelids to the point I looked unrecognizable, couldn't go outside for 2 days. Should be off the market immediately!!"

• Geo...
• January 20, 2020

"Was having allergy issues in my eyes. My ophthalmologist prescribed Lastacaft. My eyes turned flaming red and were swollen shut from these drops. I stopped using immediately. Only medication I have ever been allergic to."

• fir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2023

"Discovered the OTC version at Rite Aid. I saw that it was a prescription previously, so I felt good about trying it for my severe eye allergies and dry eye, as well as a dry environment at the workplace. It was a miracle for my drippy, swollen eyes almost instantly. I have been out of it about three weeks now, so yesterday I bought it and quickly felt like my eyes were burning and filled with jelly. It got so bad that I could not sleep, so I used purified water and rinsed them out and fell asleep only to wake up with swollen eyes and eyelids, fire-red looking inside my eyelids and crusty, sticky feeling eyelashes with crystallized granules, and my eyes were stuck together. I looked up the reviews here and it was identical to many others' experiences and will probably miss work tomorrow now. Worst of all, I am back to my old issues with no solution. I will be visiting an eye specialist now."

• mgl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2022

"Having problems with bloodshot eyes/allergies. My doctor prescribed Lastacaft. I literally felt like I was going to faint 3 days in a row and wasn't sure what was going on, but didn't use it today and feel fine! Never using it again."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2012

"Like the other reviewers below, I had a moderately severe allergic reaction to Lastacaft. My eyes became very red and moderately swollen. Symptoms subsided within a day of discontinuing treatment."