Why is benzalkonium chloride used in eye drops?
Table of Contents
Why is benzalkonium chloride used in eye drops?
For most multidose aqueous nasal, ophthalmic and otic products, benzalkonium chloride is the preservative of choice. It has been used in eye drops as a preservative since the 1950’s and it is still the most common preservative used in ophthalmic solutions at a concentration of 0.01–0.02%.
What is Bak preservative?
Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is the most commonly used eye drop preservative. Benzalkonium chloride has been associated with toxic effects such as “dry eye” and trabecular meshwork degeneration, but the underlying biochemical mechanism of ocular toxicity by BAK is unclear.
Which preservative is used in eye drops?
Polyquad is a preservative derived from the benzalkonium chloride of the quaternary ammonium class. It was firstly used for the storage solutions of contact lenses. Today it is found in many eye drops such as artificial tears and antiglaucomatous.
Is benzalkonium chloride cancerous?
Together, our results suggest that these widely used antimicrobial compounds could exaggerate disease development of inflammatory bowel disease and associated colon cancer.
Can you use too much preservative free eye drops?
However, the preservatives in OTC eye drops cause eye irritation to become worse. Eye specialists typically recommend that you use this type of eye drop no more than four times a day. Preservative-free eye drops come in multiple one-time use vials. After you apply one dose of the drops, you must throw away the vial.
Why do doctors recommend preservative free eye drops?
The preservatives may irritate your eyes, especially if you have moderate or severe dry eyes. Preservative-free eyedrops. This type has fewer additives and is generally recommended if you apply artificial tears more than four times a day, or if you have moderate or severe dry eyes.
What is SofZia?
An alternative preservative system, sofZia®, an ionic buffer that contains borate, sorbitol, propylene glycol and zinc [7], recently has been developed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. SofZia has been used since as an alternative to BAK (0.015%) in Travatan Z® (Alcon, Inc.
Can Bak cause glaucoma?
BAK can mimic primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG): it can increase inflammatory cytokines and induce apoptosis. It can accumulate over time and contribute to glaucoma worsening, despite low pressures. Even at a low dose, the long-term effect of BAK should make us rethink how we guide our patients’ treatment options.
Why is benzalkonium chloride harmful?
Benzalkonium chloride is a frequently used preservative in eye drops; typical concentrations range from 0.004 to 0.01%. Higher concentrations can be caustic [7] and can cause irreversible damage to the corneal endothelium [8]. Occupational exposure to BAC has been linked to the development of asthma [9].
Is benzalkonium safe to use?
Yes, Benzalkonium Chloride is safe. It is a non-toxic compound and has a long history of safe use. The EPA has classified it as a Group IIB – Slightly Hazardous substance, and it is on the FDA’s GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list.
Can you use too many preservative free eye drops?
Is it OK to use eye drops with preservatives?
While preservatives can help your artificial tears last longer in the bottle, many people find the additives can irritate their eyes. The chemicals present in the preservatives can cause poor production and maintenance of the tear film, and this can cause dry eye symptoms.
