Optrex intensive eye drops first trimester

[Mimi2023]

Hi all,

so when I was about 7.5 weeks pregnant I had very dry irritated eyes. Thinking nothing of it i popped into Tesco and picked up these Optrex eye drops for some relief. I must have used them on 2-3 occasions over 1-2 days and only afterwards I found the label to say ‘do not use if pregnant/breastfeeding’. I am now worried. I haven’t been able to ask pharmacist/Gp yet but can anyone tell me if they have used similar eye drops so early in their pregnancy and baby has been fine? Just need some reassurance please 😭

you should still speak to your GP and also the pharmacist i.e. both. GP can guide you clinically, and pharm are excellent - they know everything about finding out about side effects and things like that. Definitely see both.

In the meantime, I found this nhs link:
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sodium-cromoglicate-eye-drops/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility-while-using-sodium-cromoglicate-eye-drops/

I would stop using it now until you speak to your GP and Pharmacist though as they will know you, your medical history and pregnancy better than the internet.

Hi there,

thank you for replying, I definitely won’t be using them again. They aren’t medicated eye drops just lubricating for dry eyes but it’s just the warning label on the box that put me in a panic. As far as I know the Optrex intensive drops don’t contain cromoglycate. X

It's the preservatives in them apparently but honestly your fine for use once or twice I wouldn't worry about it I've never heard a thing harms it's day anymore hi g about eye drops to a pregnant lady and I've work in pharmacy for more years than I'd like to admit. Just get preservative free drops going forward.