FDA warns consumers of contaminated copycat eye drops (2024)

[1/31/2024] FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or use South Moon, Rebright or FivFivGo eye drops because of the potential risk of eye infection.

These are copycat eye drop products that consumers can easily mistake for Bausch + Lomb’s Lumify brand eye drops, an over-the-counter product approved for redness relief.

South Moon, Rebright and FivFivGo eye drops are unapproved drugs and should not be available for sale in the U.S. They claim to treat eye conditions such as glaucoma, which is treated with prescription drugs or surgery.

Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care immediately. FDA recommends consumers properly discard these products.

The agency tested samples of South Moon and Rebright eye drops, purchased online. The South Moon eye drops were contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of bacteria that could result in an antibiotic-resistant infection. While Rebright testing was negative for contamination, FDA recommends consumers not use this product.

FDA testing of the Rebright and South Moon eye drops also found that these copycat products lacked brimonidine tartrate, the active ingredient in Lumify. FDA was unable to obtain FivFivGo samples.

The origin of these products is currently unclear, and FDA continues to investigate. South Moon is labeled as made by Shantou Cross-border Premium Products E-Commerce Co. Ltd. in China.

FDA has not received any adverse event reports that specifically name the South Moon, Rebright or FivFivGo products. However, the agency has received reports related to possibly fake Lumify, including product quality concerns, eye irritation, pain and infection.

The agency recommends consumers only buy eye products from reputable retailers such as state-licensed pharmacies and beware of online retailers selling products with false claims.

Comparison of authentic Lumify with copycat products

The South Moon, Rebright and FivFivGo photos are examples of the images that appear on various websites. Some of these copycat products may be falsely labeled with “Bausch + Lomb” at the top of the packaging. The actual products may look different.

Copycat eye drops

FDA warns consumers of contaminated copycat eye drops (1)

FDA warns consumers of contaminated copycat eye drops (2)

FDA warns consumers of contaminated copycat eye drops (3)

Authentic Lumify eye drops

FDA warns consumers of contaminated copycat eye drops (4)


Health care professionals and consumers should report adverse events or side effects related to the use of this product to FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

FDA warns consumers of contaminated copycat eye drops (2024)

FAQs

FDA warns consumers of contaminated copycat eye drops? ›

[1/31/2024] FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or use South Moon, Rebright or FivFivGo eye drops because of the potential risk of eye infection.

Which FDA warns consumers contaminated copycat eye drops could cause infections? ›

The South Moon eye drops were contaminated with Burkholderia cepaciacomplex, a group of bacteria that could result in an antibiotic-resistant infection. While Rebright testing was negative for contamination, the FDA recommends consumers not use this product.

Which eye drops have been recalled due to contamination? ›

What eye drops have been recalled?
BrandProduct
EzricareArtificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops (15 mL) Carboxymethylcellulose 1%
Delsam PharmaArtificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops (15 mL) Carboxymethylcellulose 1%
Delsam PharmaArtificial Eye Ointment (3.5 g tube) Mineral oil 15%, white petrolatum 83%
Mar 1, 2024

What are copycat eye drops? ›

A new report from the FDA advised consumers against buying “copycat” eye drop brands. In the warning, the agency cited the brands South Moon, Rebright or FivFivGo due to the risk of infection. These eye drops are copycat products that can be mistaken for Bausch + Lomb's Lumify brand eye drops.

What does the FDA warn consumers about potential risks of using eye drops packaged in bottles with loose safety seal ›

A loose safety seal or ring presents a safety risk as it may cause eye injuries. Consumers and health care providers who have these products should not attempt to remove the ring or seal because there is a potential to contaminate the tip of the dropper.

What eye drops are contaminated in 2024? ›

[1/31/2024] FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or use South Moon, Rebright or FivFivGo eye drops because of the potential risk of eye infection.

What brand of eye drops have bacteria in them? ›

The FDA has issued a warning for consumers to stop purchasing and using two eyedrop products — Dr. Berne's MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops Eye Repair — due to bacterial and fungal contamination.

How to tell if eye drops are contaminated? ›

Check the expiration date
  1. Yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye.
  2. Eye pain or discomfort.
  3. Redness of the eye or eyelid.
  4. Feeling of something in your eye (foreign body sensation)
  5. Increased sensitivity to light.
  6. Blurry vision.
Nov 21, 2023

What's the name of the eye drops that are bad for your eyes? ›

EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops has been associated with severe eye infections and should be discarded. Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops distributed by EzriCare, LLC and DELSAM Pharma.

What eye drops were recalled from Walgreens and Walmart? ›

The list of products being recalled is extensive: Altaire is recalling 74 lots from Walmart, five different products from Walgreens, including Lubricant Eye Drops Moisturizing and Sodium Chloride Ophthalmic Ointment, 5% Hypertonicity Eye Ointment, and 30 different products and various lots from CVS, including those ...

Is it bad to use eye drops every day? ›

Like any medication, eyedrops must be taken as directed. And unless your doctor has instructed you to do so, eyedrops should not be taken on a daily basis for weeks at a time. Eyedrops are meant only as a temporary fix — not a long-term solution. In fact, overusing eyedrops can actually put your eye health at risk.

Are Systane eye drops safe to use? ›

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: eye pain, change in vision, continued eye redness/irritation. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

What are the safest lubricating eye drops? ›

A safe eye drop choice that will help relieve dryness caused by eye surgery is Systane's Hydration PFeye drops. I personally like the single vials Systane offers: They're easy to toss in your bag when you're on the go and they're less wasteful.

What eye drops are banned by the CDC? ›

Berne's and LightEyez eye drops due to a similar issue. And in early February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged people to stop using EzriCare eye drops, after bacterial contamination in the product was linked to a string of hospitalizations and one death.

Do eyedrops from CVS Rite Aid and others carry possible infection risk FDA says? ›

Eyedrops from CVS, Rite Aid and others carry possible infection risk, FDA says. WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators are warning consumers not to use more than two dozen varieties of over-the-counter eyedrops because of the risk of infections that could lead to blindness.

Does the FDA regulate eye drops? ›

Facilities manufacturing eye drops marketed in the U.S. are required to be registered with FDA. FDA actively monitors eye drops in the marketplace by conducting surveillance, including sampling and testing products on the market, and monitoring side effects.

What is the recalled eye drops lawsuit? ›

EzriCare and Delsam Pharma's Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops were recalled due to bacterial infections, severe injuries, and four deaths in the United States. The companies are currently facing lawsuits from individuals who have suffered as a result of using these contaminated artificial tears.

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