Best treatments for allergic conjunctivitis
21 products may treat allergic conjunctivitis, spanning FDA drug classes such as cyclooxygenase inhibitor, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, phenothiazine. The current highest-rated option is acular. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 21 drugs we list for allergic conjunctivitis, 14 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as cyclooxygenase inhibitor, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, phenothiazine. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for allergic conjunctivitis — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Understanding allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear layer of tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the white of the eye, triggered when an allergen you are sensitive to contacts the eye. Common triggers include pollen, dust mites, mold, and animal (pet) dander (NEI; MedlinePlus). When the eyes are exposed to an allergen, the body releases a substance called histamine and the blood vessels in the conjunctiva become swollen (MedlinePlus). Typical symptoms include intense itching or burning eyes, red eyes, tearing (watery eyes), puffy eyelids that are often worse in the morning, and stringy eye discharge; symptoms may be seasonal (MedlinePlus). It usually affects both eyes and may come with hay fever symptoms such as sneezing or a runny nose (Moorfields). Unlike infectious pink eye, allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and cannot be passed to someone else (NEI). Diagnosis is based on symptoms and an eye examination; a clinician may find small raised bumps on the inside of the eyelids, and skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing (MedlinePlus). This is general information, not medical advice.
First-line treatment
Authoritative sources describe an approach that starts with avoiding the triggers as much as possible, alongside simple measures such as lubricating (artificial tear) drops and cool or cold compresses (MedlinePlus; Moorfields). For medication, over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine eye drops and mast cell stabilizer eye drops are commonly used; dual-action agents that combine antihistamine and mast cell–stabilizing effects, such as olopatadine and ketotifen, are among the options (AAAAI drug guide; Moorfields). Most anti-allergy eye drops, and antihistamine tablets, may be available over the counter at a pharmacy, though anti-allergy drops need to be used daily and can take up to two weeks to work (Moorfields). Mild steroid eye drops can be prescribed for more severe reactions (MedlinePlus; Moorfields). Because product choice and dosing differ by person and severity, a clinician or pharmacist should individualize treatment.
Top-rated picks for allergic conjunctivitis: 1. Acular · 2. Acular Ls · 3. Lastacaft
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Drops | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | No data | — | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Drops | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | No data | — | View → | |
| 3 | 72/100 | Over-the-counter | Drops | — | No data | — | View → | |
| 4 | 70/100 | Prescription | Suppository | Phenothiazine | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Drops | Histamine-1 Receptor Inhibitor | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Drops | — | No data | — | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Drops | Corticosteroid | Generic | $20 | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Spray/Inhaler | Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 9 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Drops | Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 10 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Drops | Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist | No data | — | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: histamine-1 receptor antagonist · corticosteroid · cyclooxygenase inhibitor · phenothiazine · histamine-1 receptor inhibitor
Full ranking · 21 treatments
acular
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Acular (Ketorolac Tromethamine) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Allergic Conjunctivitis, Inflammation, Pain, Photophobia.
Price varies
acular ls
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Acular Ls (Ketorolac Tromethamine) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat Allergic Conjunctivitis, Inflammation, Pain, Photophobia.
Price varies
lastacaft
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Lastacaft (Alcaftadine) is a medication used to treat Allergic Conjunctivitis.
promethegan
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Promethegan (Promethazine Hydrochloride) is a phenothiazine used to treat Anaphylaxis, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Motion Sickness, Nausea.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.41/30· 8 formsalaway
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Alaway (Ketotifen Fumarate) is a histamine-1 receptor inhibitor used to treat Allergic Conjunctivitis.
Pharmacy pays
$1.34 /mL
alcaftadine
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Alcaftadine is a medication used to treat Allergic Conjunctivitis.
- Alrex
- Astepro Allergy
- Azelastine Hydrochloride
- Bepreve
- Children's Alaway
- Children's Astepro Allergy
- Eysuvis
- Inveltys
- Karbinal ER
- Ketorolac Tromethamine
- Lotemax
- Loteprednol Etabonate
- Pataday Once Daily Relief
- Promethazine Plain
- Sprix
Frequently asked
- What treats allergic conjunctivitis?
- Our catalog lists 21 products that may treat allergic conjunctivitis, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is acular.
- What is the best-rated treatment for allergic conjunctivitis?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — acular ranks highest among the products we list for allergic conjunctivitis. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat allergic conjunctivitis?
- Treatments for allergic conjunctivitis span FDA drug classes including cyclooxygenase inhibitor, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, phenothiazine, histamine-1 receptor inhibitor, corticosteroid. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.
Sources
The clinical overview above is written from these authoritative public-health and medical-society sources, independently reviewed against each.
- Allergic conjunctivitis — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (U.S. National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗
- Causes of Pink Eye — National Eye Institute (NIH) ↗
- Eye Drops (Drug Guide) — American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) ↗
- Allergic conjunctivitis (patient information leaflet) — Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust ↗