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Over-the-counter medicine · no prescription needed

Mineral oil and petrolatum

Purpose on the label: Eye lubricant Eye lubricant

Eye care

Official FDA data, not advice

The label text is quoted exactly as the company filed it with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with a link to the official copy. The list of brands comes from the FDA NDC Directory.

This page is not medical advice. Read the label on your package, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure a medicine is right for you, for your child, or with your other medicines.

If someone may have taken too much, call Poison Help: 1‑800‑222‑1222. In an emergency, call 911.

Quick answers

What is Mineral oil and petrolatum used for?
The Drug Facts label of Systane Nighttime (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.) lists these uses: for the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye for use as a lubricant to prevent further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye.
Do I need a prescription for Mineral oil and petrolatum?
No. The products on this page are sold without a prescription (over the counter).
Is a store brand the same as the name brand?
Products listed together below have the same active ingredients, in the same amount and the same form, as registered with the FDA. Inactive ingredients (such as colors, flavors and fillers) and package sizes can differ. Compare the “Active ingredient” box on both packages, and ask a pharmacist if you are not sure.
Has Mineral oil and petrolatum been recalled?
FDA enforcement reports list 4 recalls of products on this page; the newest started June 29, 2022. A recall usually concerns specific products or lots, not every brand.

Drug Facts label

Every over-the-counter medicine must carry a “Drug Facts” box in the same order, set by FDA rules. Below is the label of one product for each common strength and form, quoted word for word. Your own package can differ (for example, children’s products have other directions): always follow the label on your package.

Systane Nighttime · Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

Mineral oil 3% · Petrolatum 94%, ointment (ophthalmic)

Purpose

Active ingredients Purpose Mineral Oil 3% Lubricant White Petrolatum 94% Lubricant

Uses

for the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye for use as a lubricant to prevent further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye

Warnings

For external use only

Do not use

if you are sensitive to any ingredient in this product

When using this product

remove contact lenses before using do not touch tip of container to any surface to avoid contamination replace cap after each use

Stop use and ask a doctor if

you are experiencing any of the following: eye pain changes in vision continued redness or irritation of the eye condition worsens or persist for more than 72 hours

Keep out of reach of children

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Directions

Pull down the lower lid of the affected eye and apply a small amount (one-fourth inch) of ointment to the inside of the eyelid.

Other information

Not for use with contact lenses Store at 8° - 27° C (46° - 80° F)

Inactive ingredients

anhydrous liquid lanolin 3%

Questions?

In the U.S. call 1-800-757-9195 alcon.medinfo@alcon.com www.systane.com

— FDA label of Systane Nighttime, Alcon Laboratories, Inc., effective December 5, 2024. See the official label on DailyMed →

Refresh P.M. · Allergan, Inc.

Mineral oil 42.5% · Petrolatum 57.3%, ointment (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Mineral Oil 42.5% White Petrolatum 57.3%

Purpose

Eye lubricant Eye lubricant

Uses

For the temporary relief of burning, irritation, and discomfort due to dryness of the eye or exposure to wind or sun. May be used as a protectant against further irritation.

Warnings

For external use only. To avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface. Replace cap after using.

Stop use and ask a doctor if

you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or if the condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours.

Keep out of reach of children

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Directions

Pull down the lower lid of the affected eye and apply a small amount (one-fourth inch) of ointment to the inside of the eyelid.

Other information

Store away from heat. Protect from freezing. Use only if tape seals on top and bottom flaps are intact. Use before expiration date marked on container. Store at 59°-77°F (15°-25°C). RETAIN THIS CARTON FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

Inactive ingredients

Lanolin alcohols.

Questions?

1.800.678.1605 refreshbrand.com v1.0DFL0667 Phone

— FDA label of Refresh P.M., Allergan, Inc., effective June 30, 2022. See the official label on DailyMed →

retaine PM · OCuSOFT LLC

Mineral oil 20% · Petrolatum 80%, ointment (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Mineral oil (20%) White petrolatum (80%)

Purpose

Eye lubricant

Uses

As a lubricant to prevent further irritaion or to relieve dryness of the eye(s).

Warnings

For use in the eyes only.

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye.
  • the condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours.

When using this product

  • do not touch tip of container to any surface to avoid contamination.
  • replace cap after use.

Keep out of reach of children

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Directions

  • Pull down the lower lid of the affected eye(s).
  • Apply a small amount (1/4 inch) of ointment to the inside of the eyelid.

Other information

  • Do not use if cap breakaway seal is broken or missing.
  • Store between 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).
  • Keep this carton for full product information.

Inactive ingredients

None

Questions?

Call (800) 233-5469 M-F 8:30AM-5:00PM CST or visit ocusoft.com

— FDA label of retaine PM, OCuSOFT LLC, effective January 15, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →

Altalube · Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Mineral oil 15% · Petrolatum 85%, ointment (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Mineral Oil 15% and White Petrolatum 85%

Purpose

Eye Lubricant

Uses

  • as a lubricant to prevent further irritation
  • to relieve dryness of the eye(s).

Warnings

  • Save box for complete information.
  • For use in the eyes only.

When using this product

  • avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface.
  • replace cap after each use.

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye.
  • condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Directions

  • pull down lower lid of the affected eye and apply a small amount (one-fourth inch) of ointment to the inside of the eyelid every 3-4 hours or as directed by a doctor.

Other information

  • store at room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).
  • protect from freezing.
  • see crimp of tube or box for lot number and expiration date.
  • keep tightly closed.
  • does not contain preservatives.

Inactive ingredients

None remove

Questions?

• (631) 722-5988• 9AM – 5 PM EST Monday- Friday

— FDA label of Altalube, Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective December 9, 2023. See the official label on DailyMed →

Dr Butlers Soothing Incontinence · Beyond Health PA

Mineral oil 59.8% · Petrolatum 36%, spray (topical)

Active ingredient

Mineral Oil 59.8% Petrolatum 36.0%

Purpose

Skin Protectant Skin Protectant

Uses

temporarily protects and helps relieve chafed, chapped or cracked skin

Warnings

For external use only.

Do not use

on deep or puncture wounds

When using this product

avoid spraying in eyes contents under pressure. Do not puncture or incinerate. Do not store at temperatures above 120ºF

Stop use and ask a doctor if

condition worsens symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days

Keep out of reach of children

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Directions

hold 4-6 inches from skin and apply a thin continuous coating apply as needed

Inactive ingredients

4-t butylcyclohexanol aloe barbadensis leaf extract chamomilla recrutita (matricaria) flower extract helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil pentylene glycol PPG-15 stearyl ether

— FDA label of Dr Butlers Soothing Incontinence, Beyond Health PA, effective July 23, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →

Refresh Lacri-Lube · Allergan, Inc.

Mineral oil 42.5% · Petrolatum 56.8%, ointment (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Mineral Oil 42.5% White Petrolatum 56.8%

Purpose

Eye lubricant Eye lubricant

Uses

For the temporary relief of burning, irritation, and discomfort due to dryness of the eye or exposure to wind or sun. May be used as a protectant against further irritation.

Warnings

For external use only. To avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface. Replace cap after using.

Stop use and ask a doctor if

you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or if the condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours.

Keep out of reach of children

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Directions

Pull down the lower lid of the affected eye and apply a small amount (one-fourth inch) of ointment to the inside of the eyelid.

Other information

Store away from heat. Protect from freezing. Use only if tape seals on top and bottom flaps are intact. Use before expiration date marked on container. Store at 59°-77°F (15°-25°C). RETAIN THIS CARTON FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

Inactive ingredients

Chlorobutanol and Lanolin alcohols.

Questions?

1.800.678.1605 refresheyedrops .com v2.0DFL0312

— FDA label of Refresh Lacri-Lube, Allergan, Inc., effective May 15, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →

This page is not medical advice. Read the label on your package, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure a medicine is right for you, for your child, or with your other medicines.

Same medicine, other brands

Each group lists the products that have exactly the same active ingredients, in the same amount and form, as registered with the FDA (NDC Directory). A store brand in the same group has the same medicine as the name brand; inactive ingredients, flavors and package sizes can differ. Each product links to its own official label.

Mineral oil 3% · Petrolatum 94% · ointment (ophthalmic) · 2 products

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Mineral oil 42.5% · Petrolatum 57.3% · ointment (ophthalmic) · 2 products

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Refresh P.M. Allergan, Inc. DailyMed
Mineral oil 20% · Petrolatum 80% · ointment (ophthalmic) · 2 products

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
retaine PM OCuSOFT LLC DailyMed
Soothe Night Time Bausch & Lomb Incorporated DailyMed
Mineral oil 15% · Petrolatum 85% · ointment (ophthalmic) · 1 product

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Altalube Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc. DailyMed
Mineral oil 59.8% · Petrolatum 36% · spray (topical) · 1 product

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Dr Butlers Soothing Incontinence Beyond Health PA DailyMed
Mineral oil 42.5% · Petrolatum 56.8% · ointment (ophthalmic) · 1 product

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Refresh Lacri-Lube Allergan, Inc. DailyMed
Mineral oil 31.9% · Petrolatum 57.7% · gel (ophthalmic) · 1 product
Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Stye Insight Pharmaceuticals LLC DailyMed

What pharmacies pay (NADAC)

The National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) is the average price U.S. retail pharmacies paid to buy one unit of a medicine (one tablet, one mL or one gram), from a monthly survey of pharmacy invoices by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). State Medicaid programs use it to pay pharmacies.

This is not the price you pay. What you pay depends on your insurance (copay or coinsurance), your pharmacy and any discounts, and pharmacies also charge for filling a prescription. Ask your pharmacist or your health plan what your price will be.

NADAC per unit for Mineral oil and petrolatum, by strength and form
Strength and formGeneric or brandPharmacies pay
mineral oil 3% · petrolatum 94%
ointment
Brand: GenTeal Tears NIGHT-TIME $2.37 per gram
mineral oil 42.5% · petrolatum 56.8%
ointment
Brand: Refresh Lacri-Lube $2.79 per gram
mineral oil 42.5% · petrolatum 57.3%
ointment
Brand: Refresh P.M. $2.45 per gram

NADAC list of November 4, 2026; these prices took effect on October 21, 2026. Shown only where a package’s NDC code matches the NADAC list exactly, and only for that exact strength and form: nothing is averaged across strengths. Strengths and forms not listed here have no NADAC price.

Source: NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) 2026, data.medicaid.gov (CMS) →

Companies that sell this medicine

The company named on the package (maker or distributor), as listed in the FDA NDC Directory, with its number of over-the-counter products of this medicine.

Recalls

From FDA enforcement reports, matched by the product’s NDC code or label. A recall usually covers specific products or lots: check the name and lot number on your package.

  1. June 29, 2022 · Class II · Terminated · D-1320-2022

    CGMP Deviations: products were stored outside the drug label specifications.

    GenTeal Tears, Lubricant Eye Ointment, Night-Time Ointment, Sterile, 3.5 gm (0.12 FL OZ) per box, Alcon, NDC 0065-0518-01. — Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office

  2. July 2, 2019 · Class II · Completed · D-0418-2020

    Lack of Assurance of Sterility

    ActivEyes Sterile Altalube Ointment, Net Wt 1/8 oz (3.5g), NDC 59390-198-50 — Altaire Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

  3. August 24, 2015 · Class II · Terminated · D-1817-2015

    Presence of Particulate Matter: Due to customer complaints of small black particles, identified as part of the ointment tube cap, generated by the action of unscrewing the cap from the aluminum tube and potentially introducing the particle into the product.

    Refresh Lacri-Lube (Mineral Oil 42.5% and White Petrolatum 56.8%) Lubricant Eye Ointment, packaged in a) Net wt. 0.12 oz (3.5 g) tubes (NDC 0023-0312-04) UPC 3 0023-0312-04 2 and b) Net wt. 0.25 oz (7 g) tubes (NDC 0023- — Allergan Sales, LLC

  4. August 24, 2015 · Class II · Terminated · D-1818-2015

    Presence of Particulate Matter: Due to customer complaints of small black particles, identified as part of the ointment tube cap, generated by the action of unscrewing the cap from the aluminum tube and potentially introducing the particle into the product.

    Refresh P.M. (Mineral Oil 42.5% and White Petrolatum 57.3%) Lubricant Eye Ointment, Net wt. 0.12 oz (3.5 g) tube, Allergan, Inc., 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA 92612, NDC 0023-0240-04, UPC 3 00230 66704 3. — Allergan Sales, LLC

Next steps

Sources

  1. Drug labeling (SPL, openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
  2. NDC Directory (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
  3. Drug recall enforcement reports (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 27, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
  4. FDA rule for the Drug Facts label (21 CFR 201.66)

Only medicines marketed under FDA rules for nonprescription drugs (an FDA monograph or an FDA approval) are listed. Homeopathic products are not listed: the FDA does not evaluate them for safety or effectiveness.

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