Hundreds of thousands of bottles of eye drops sold under several brand names, including Walgreens, are being recalled because the products may not be sterile, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Sterling Pharmaceutical Services LLC, based in Dupo, Illinois, initiated the recall Aug. 20, 2026, according to an Aug. 20 FDA enforcement report. The agency classified the recall as Class II on Sept. 21.
The recall includes nine products, including lubricant eye drops, a hypertonicity eye solution and a nighttime eye ointment. Consumers should check the product name, lot number and expiration date to determine whether they have a recalled product.
Here's more on the eye drops recall.
Which eye drops are recalled?
The recall covers nine products and 747,844 units in total.
The affected products and quantities are:
- Cameron Pharmaceuticals Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5% Eye Lubricant, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL): 19,284 bottles
- AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL) bottles: 12,864 packs
- AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, two-count twin packs: 107,377 packs
- Reliable-1 Laboratories Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity Ophthalmic Solution, 5%, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL): 11,083 bottles
- Reliable-1 Laboratories Lubricating Tears, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL): 47,616 bottles
- Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5%, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL) bottles: 301,114 bottles
- Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, two-count twin packs: 199,600 packs
- TRP The Relief Products Gentle Eyes Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%: 14,538 bottles
- Major LubriFresh P.M. Nighttime Ointment, 0.125 ounces (3.5 g) tubes: 34,368 tubes
What does the FDA recall classification mean?
The FDA classified the recall as Class II, which, according to the agency, means exposure to or use of the recalled product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
The recall concerns a lack of assurance that the products are sterile.
USA TODAY contacted Sterling Pharmaceutical Services on Oct. 2 for comment but has not received a response.
What should consumers check?
The FDA's recall information includes specific lot numbers and expiration dates for the affected products.
Consumers who use any of the recalled brands should compare the lot number and expiration date on their product with the information in the FDA's Enforcement Report to determine whether it is included in the recall. If the product is part of the recall, the agency suggests consumers immediately stop using the eye drops and speak with their doctors.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on X @athompsonUSAT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Over half a million eye drops recalled. See affected products
