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Over-the-counter medicine · no prescription needed

Polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol

Purpose on the label: Lubricant 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 Polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol used for?
The Drug Facts label of Leader Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops (Cardinal Health) lists these uses: for the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye.
Do I need a prescription for Polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol?
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 Polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol been recalled?
FDA enforcement reports list 7 recalls of products on this page; the newest started September 11, 2026. 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.

Leader Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops · Cardinal Health

Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% · Propylene glycol 0.3%, solution/ drops (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% Propylene glycol 0.3%

Purpose

Polyethylene glycol 400............. Lubricant Propylene glycol............ Lubricant

Uses

  • for the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye

Warnings

For external use only

Do not use

  • if this product changes color or becomes cloudy
  • if you are sensitive to any ingredient in this product

When using this product

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

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • you feel eye pain
  • changes in vision occur
  • redness or irritation of the eye(s) gets worse or lasts more than 72 hours

Keep out of reach of children

If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) right away.

Directions

  • Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed
  • Children under 6 years of age: ask a doctor

Other information

RETAIN THIS CARTON FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Store at room temperature

Inactive ingredients

Aminomethylpropanol, benzalkonium chloride as preservative, boric acid, hypromellose, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium chloride, sorbitol

— FDA label of Leader Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops, Cardinal Health, effective March 12, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →

Systane Hydration Pf Preservative Free · Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

Polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · Propylene glycol 3 mg/mL, solution/ drops (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Purpose Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% Lubricant Propylene Glycol 0.3% Lubricant

Purpose

Active Ingredients Purpose Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% Lubricant Propylene Glycol 0.3% Lubricant

Uses

for use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye

Warnings

For external use only

Do not use

if this product changes color or becomes cloudy if you are sensitive to any ingredient in this product

When using this product

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 experience any of the following: eye pain changes in vision continued redness or irritation of the eye 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

put 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed. see side of carton for directions for use

Other information

store at room temperature

Inactive ingredients

aminomethylpropanol, boric acid, hydroxypropyl guar, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium borate, sodium chloride, sodium hyaluronate, sorbitol. May contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

Questions?

In the U.S. call 1 (800) 757-9195 www.systane.com alcon.medinfo@alcon.com Directions for Use: Hold the bottle just below the cap and twist the cap to open. BEFORE FIRST USE , hold the bottle upside down and dispense one drop of product to discard. Shake the bottle downward to remove residual product (see picture). Place 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed and blink. After use, shake the bottle downward to remove residual product that may be left on the tip (see picture above). Replace cap after use. Discard 90 days after opening.

— FDA label of Systane Hydration Pf Preservative Free, Alcon Laboratories, Inc., effective August 10, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →

CVS Lubricant Eye Drops Original · Cvs

Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% · Propylene glycol 0.3%, solution (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Polyethylene glycol 400.....0.4% Propylene glycol.................0.3%

Purpose

Polyethylene glycol 400....Lubricant Propylene glycol................Lubricant

Uses

for the temporary relief of burning and irritation of the eye due to dryness of the eye

Warnings

For external use only

Do not use

if this solution changes or becomes cloudy if you are sensitive to any ingredient in this product

When using this product

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 feel eye pain changes in vision occur redness or irritation of the eye(s) gets worse or lasts more than 72 hours

If pregnant or breast-feeding

ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children

If swallowed get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) right away.

Directions

instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed

Other information

store at 15º-25º (59º-77 F) use only if single-use container is intact use before expiration date marked on container RETAIN THIS CARTON FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Inactive ingredients

boric acid, hydrochloric acid**, hypromellose, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide** **May contain these ingredients to adjust pH.

— FDA label of CVS Lubricant Eye Drops Original, Cvs, effective December 30, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →

Dry eye relief · Cardinal Health 110, LLC. DBA Leader

Polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · Propylene glycol 3 mg/mL, gel (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Purpose Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% Lubricant Propylene Glycol 0.3% Lubricant

Purpose

Active Ingredients Purpose Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% Lubricant Propylene Glycol 0.3% Lubricant

Uses

  • for the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye
  • for use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye

Warnings

For external use only

Do not use

  • if this product changes color or becomes cloudy
  • if you are sensitive to any ingredient in this product

When using this product

  • 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 experience any of the following:

  • you feel eye pain
  • changes in vision
  • continued redness or irritation of the eye
  • 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

  • shake well before using
  • put 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed

Other information

  • store at room temperature

Inactive ingredients

boric acid, edetate disodium , potassium chloride, mangnesium chloride , sodium chloride, sodium borate , purified water. May contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

— FDA label of Dry eye relief, Cardinal Health 110, LLC. DBA Leader, effective September 12, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →

Lubricant Eye Drops Solution · AvPAK

Polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · Propylene glycol 3 mg/mL, solution (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Purpose Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% Lubricant Propylene Glycol 0.3% Lubricant

Purpose

Active Ingredients Purpose Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% Lubricant Propylene Glycol 0.3% Lubricant

Uses

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

Warnings

For use in the eyes only

Do not use

If solution changes color or becomes cloudy.

When using this product

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

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 Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (1-800-222-1222)

Directions

shake well before use instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed

Other information

store at room temperature 15°- 30°C (59°-86°F). do not use if imprinted seal on cap is torn, broken or missing discard 90 days after opening retain outer carton for full product information

Inactive ingredients

Benzalkonium chloride (preservative), boric acid, calcium chloride, hypromellose, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium chloride, zinc chloride. May contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

Questions?

1-855-361-3993 Distributed by: AvKARE Pulaski, TN 38478 www.avkare.com Rev. 12/2022 AV 12/2022

— FDA label of Lubricant Eye Drops Solution, AvPAK, effective January 8, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →

Retaine Ultra PF · OCuSOFT LLC

Polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · Propylene glycol 3 mg/mL, liquid (ophthalmic)

Active ingredient

Purpose Polyethylene Glycol 400 (0.4%).................. Lubricant Propylene Glycol 0.3%............................... Lubricant

Uses

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

Warnings

For use in the eyes only. Retain outer carton for full product drug facts.

Do not use

if this product changes color or becomes cloudy. if you are sensitive to any ingredient in this product.

When using this product

do not touch tip of container to any surface to avoid contamination. remove contact lenses replace cap after each use. do not deliver more than 6 consecutive drops.

Stop use and ask a doctor if

you feel eye pain. changes in vision occur. redness or irritation of the eye(s) gets worse, persists or lasts more than 72 hours. Keep this in all drugs out of the reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Directions

instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed

Other information

store at room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).

Inactive ingredients

Aminomethyl propanol, boric acid, Gelrite gellan gum, magnesium chloride hexahydrate, potassium chloride, water for injection, sodium chloride, sorbitol. May contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

Questions?

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

— FDA label of Retaine Ultra PF, OCuSOFT LLC, effective April 13, 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.

Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% · Propylene glycol 0.3% · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 31 products

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Archies Dry Eye Relief Archie's Remedies DailyMed
Avenova Lubricant Eye Drops High Performance NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. DailyMed
CorneaCare Recover Lubricant Eye Drops CorneaCare Inc. DailyMed
CVS Health Fast Acting Lubricant Eye Drops CVS Pharmacy, Inc. DailyMed
CVS Hydration Eye Drops Cvs DailyMed
Equate Lubricant Eye Drops Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. DailyMed
Equate Lubricant Eye Drops Walmart, Inc. DailyMed
Equate Lubricant Eye Drops High Performance Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. DailyMed
Exchange Select High Performance Lubricant Eye Drops Army and Air Force Exchange Service DailyMed
Foster and Thrive Long Lasting Lubricant Eye Drops Strategic Sourcing Services LLC DailyMed
Foster and Thrive Lubricating Tears Lubricant Eye Drops Strategic Sourcing Services LLC DailyMed
Harris Teeter Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops Harris Teeter, LLC. DailyMed
Health Mart Lubricating Tears Strategic Sourcing Services LLC DailyMed
Kroger High Performance Lubricant Eye Drops Kroger DailyMed
Leader Lubricant Eye Drops 30ct Cardinal Health 110, LLC. DBA Leader DailyMed
Leader Preservative-Free Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops Cardinal Health DailyMed
Leader Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops Cardinal Health DailyMed
Medics Choice Fresh and Soothe Lubricant Eye Drops KC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. DailyMed
Meijer Lubricant Eye Drops Meijer Distribution, Inc. DailyMed
Meijer Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops High Performance Meijer Distribution, Inc. DailyMed
Publix High Performance Eye Drops Publix Super Markets, Inc. DailyMed
Quality Choice Lubricant Eye Drops High Performance Chain Drug Marketing Assoc., Inc. DailyMed
Quality Choice Lubricant Eye Drops Long Lasting Chain Drug Marketing Assoc., Inc. DailyMed
Rite Aid Hydration Lubricant Eye Drops Rite Aid Corporation DailyMed
Signature Care Eye Drops High Performance Better Living Brands LLC DailyMed

Showing 25 of 30 brands.

Polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · Propylene glycol 3 mg/mL · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 9 products

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% · Propylene glycol 0.3% · solution (ophthalmic) · 5 products

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
CVS Lubricant Eye Drops Original Cvs DailyMed
DG Lubricant Eye Drops Dolgencorp LLC DailyMed
GoodSense Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc. DailyMed
Signature Care Lubricant Eye Drops Long Lasting Better Living Brands, LLC DailyMed
Topcare Health Lubricant Eye Drops Topco Assoc LLC DailyMed
Polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · Propylene glycol 3 mg/mL · gel (ophthalmic) · 3 products

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Dry eye relief Cardinal Health 110, LLC. DBA Leader DailyMed
GenTeal Tears Gel Drops Alcon Laboratories, Inc. DailyMed
Systane Alcon Laboratories, Inc. DailyMed
Polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · Propylene glycol 3 mg/mL · solution (ophthalmic) · 1 product

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Lubricant Eye Drops Solution AvPAK DailyMed
Polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · Propylene glycol 3 mg/mL · liquid (ophthalmic) · 1 product

Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑

Brand or product nameCompany on the labelLabel
Retaine Ultra PF OCuSOFT 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 Polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol, by strength and form
Strength and formGeneric or brandPharmacies pay
polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% · propylene glycol 0.3%
solution/ drops
Generic $0.2069–$0.2121 per unit
2 packages, lowest to highest
polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% · propylene glycol 0.3%
solution/ drops
Generic $0.3625 per mL
polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · propylene glycol 3 mg/mL
gel
Brand: GenTeal Tears Gel Drops $1.09 per mL
polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · propylene glycol 3 mg/mL
gel
Brand: Systane $1.13 per mL
polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · propylene glycol 3 mg/mL
solution
Generic $0.3625 per mL
polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · propylene glycol 3 mg/mL
solution/ drops
Brand: Systane Hydration Pf Preservative Free $0.4665 per unit
polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · propylene glycol 3 mg/mL
solution/ drops
Brand: Systane Hydration Pf Preservative Free $1.15 per mL
polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · propylene glycol 3 mg/mL
solution/ drops
Brand: Systane Lubricant $0.5671–$0.7026 per mL
2 packages, lowest to highest
polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · propylene glycol 3 mg/mL
solution/ drops
Brand: Systane Ultra $0.5887–$1.09 per mL
4 packages, lowest to highest
polyethylene glycol 400 4 mg/mL · propylene glycol 3 mg/mL
solution/ drops
Brand: Systane Ultra Preservative Free $1.15 per mL

NADAC list of November 4, 2026; these prices took effect between April 22, 2026 and 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.

  • Alcon Laboratories, Inc.8 products
  • Strategic Sourcing Services LLC5 products
  • Walgreens2 products
  • Target Corporation2 products
  • Better Living Brands, LLC2 products
  • Cardinal Health 110, LLC. DBA Leader2 products
  • Chain Drug Marketing Assoc., Inc.2 products
  • Cvs2 products
  • Cardinal Health2 products
  • Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.2 products
  • Meijer Distribution, Inc.2 products
  • Walgreen Company2 products
  • AvPAK1 product
  • NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1 product
  • OCuSOFT LLC1 product
  • Publix Super Markets, Inc.1 product
  • Archie's Remedies1 product
  • Rite Aid Corporation1 product
  • Kroger1 product
  • Army and Air Force Exchange Service1 product
  • KC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1 product
  • CorneaCare Inc.1 product
  • CVS Pharmacy, Inc.1 product
  • Harris Teeter, LLC.1 product
  • Walmart, Inc.1 product
  • Dolgencorp LLC1 product
  • Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc.1 product
  • Topco Assoc LLC1 product
  • Alcon Research Ltd1 product

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. September 11, 2026 · Class II · Ongoing · D-0009-2027

    Lack of Assurance of Sterility

    Sterile High Performance Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops (Polyethylene Glycol 400, 0.4% Relieves Dry and Irritated Eyes) Product size: 0.5 fl oz (15 mL); a) LEADER, DISTRIBUTED BY CARDINAL HEALTH, DUBLIN, OHIO 43017, www.myl — K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

  2. March 3, 2026 · Class II · Ongoing · D-0412-2026

    Lack of Assurance of Sterility

    Ultra Lubricating Eye Drops (polyethylene 400 0.4%, propylene glycol 0.3%), Sterile, 0.5 FL OZ (15mL) bottles; a) LEADER, DISTRIBUTED BY CARDINAL HEALTH, DUBLIN, OHIO 43017, www.myleader.com, NDC 70000-0457-1; b) Harris — K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc

  3. March 3, 2026 · Class II · Ongoing · D-0409-2026

    Lack of Assurance of Sterility

    Sterile EYE DROPS AC (tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%, zinc sulfate 0.25%), 0.5 fl. oz. (15 mL) bottles; a) Best Choice, PROUDLY DISTRIBUTED BY: VALU MERCHANDISERS, CO., 5000 KANSAS AVE, KANSAS CITY, KS 66106, UPC 0 70038 470 — K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc

  4. April 23, 2025 · Class II · Ongoing · D-0407-2025

    cGMP deviations and lack of assurance of sterility.

    Lubricant Eye Drops Solution, Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% Eye Lubricant, Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Lubricant, Lubricant Eye Drops, Moisturizing, Sterile, 0.5 FL OZ (15mL) per dropper bottle, Distributed by: AvKARE, Pula — BRS Analytical Services, LLC

  5. November 13, 2023 · Class I · Ongoing · D-0295-2024

    Non-Sterility

    Leader brand Dry Eye Relief (Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% and Propylene glycol 0.3%) packaged in 0.33 FL OZ (10 mL) bottles, Distributed by Cardinal Health Dublin, Ohio 43017, NDC 70000-0088-1 — Kilitch Healthcare India Limited

  6. October 31, 2023 · Class I · Ongoing · D-0135-2024

    Non-Sterility: FDA found insanitary conditions and positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling at the manufacturing facility.

    LEADER brand Dry Eye Relief (Polyethylene Glycol 400, 0.4% Propylene Glycol, 0.3%); 0.33 FL OZ (10 mL) dropper bottle, Sterile, Distributed By Cardinal Health, Dublin, Ohio 43017, Made in India NDC: 70000-0088-1 — Cardinal Health Inc.

  7. June 29, 2022 · Class II · Terminated · D-1314-2022

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

    Systane, Lubricant Eye Drops, Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% Lubricant, Propylene Glycol 0.3% Lubricant, Original, Long Lasting Dry Eye Relief, Sterile, a) 15 mL (0.5 FL OZ) NDC 0065-0429-15, b) 30 mL (1 FL OZ) NDC 0065-04 — Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office

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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