Quick answers
- What is Polyvinyl alcohol and povidone used for?
- The Drug Facts label of Leader Artificial Tears 15 mL (Cardinal Health) lists these uses: for use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye for the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye, or to exposure to wind or sun.
- Do I need a prescription for Polyvinyl alcohol and povidone?
- 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 Polyvinyl alcohol and povidone been recalled?
- FDA enforcement reports list 2 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 Artificial Tears 15 mL · Cardinal Health
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 0.5% · Povidone 0.6%, solution/ drops (ophthalmic)
Active ingredient
Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% Povidone 0.6%
Purpose
Lubricant Lubricant
Uses
for use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye for the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye, or to exposure to wind or sun
Warnings
For external use only
Do not use
this product if solution changes color or becomes cloudy
When using this product
remove contact lens before using to avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface replace cap after using. Keep container tightly closed.
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 the reach of children. if accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
Directions
instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed children under 6 years of age: ask a doctor
Other information
store at 15°-30°C (59°-86°F)
Inactive ingredients
benzalkonium chloride, dextrose, edetate disodium, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate dibasic, sodium phosphate monobasic
Questions?
Call 1-888-527-4276
— FDA label of Leader Artificial Tears 15 mL, Cardinal Health, effective September 9, 2026. See the official label on DailyMed →
Best Choice Artificial Tears · Best Choice
Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% · Povidone 0.6%, solution/ drops (ophthalmic)
Active ingredient
Active ingredients Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% Povidone 0.6%
Purpose
Purpose Polyvinyl alcohol: Eye Lubricant Povidone: Eye Lubricant
Uses
for use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye for the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye, or to exposure to wind or sun
Warnings
For external use only
Do not use
this product if solution changes color or becomes cloudy
When using this product
remove contact lens before using to avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface replace cap after using. Keep container tightly closed
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 the reach of children. If accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
Directions
Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed.
Other information
Store at 15°-30°C (59°-86°F)
Inactive ingredients
benzalkonium chloride, dextrose, edetate disodium, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate dibasic, and sodium phosphate monobasic
— FDA label of Best Choice Artificial Tears, Best Choice, effective December 30, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →
Good Sense Artificial Tears · Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc.
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 0.5% · Povidone 0.6%, solution (ophthalmic)
Active ingredient
Polyvinyl alcohol.....0.5% Povidone......0.6%
Purpose
Polyvinyl alcohol ...Eye lubricant Povidone ...Eye lubricant
Uses
for use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye for the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye, or to exposure to wind or sun
Warnings
For external use only
Do not use
this product if solution changes color or becomes cloudy
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 the reach of children. If accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
When using this product
to avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface replace cap after using. Keep container tightly closed remove contact lens before using
Directions
Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed.
Other information
Tamper Evident. Do not use this product if imprinted neckband is missing or broken. RETAIN THIS CARTON FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Store at 15º-30º C (59º-86ºF)
Inactive ingredients
benzalkonium chloride, dextrose, edetate disodium, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate dibasic, and sodium phosphate monobasic
— FDA label of Good Sense Artificial Tears, Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc., effective December 30, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →
Refresh Classic · A-S Medication Solutions
Polyvinyl alcohol 14 mg/mL · Povidone 6 mg/mL, solution/ drops (ophthalmic)
Active ingredient
s Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Povidone 0.6%
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. Do not reuse. Once opened, discard . Do not touch unit-dose tip to eye. If solution changes color or becomes cloudy , do not use.
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
To open, TWIST AND PULL TAB TO REMOVE . Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed and discard container.
Other information
Use only if single-use container is intact. Use before expiration date marked on container. Store at 59°-77°F (15°-25°C). RETAIN THIS CARTON FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Inactive ingredients
Purified water and sodium chloride. May also contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH).
Questions?
1.800. 678.1605 refreshbrand.com v1.0DFL0506
— FDA label of Refresh Classic, A-S Medication Solutions, effective March 14, 2024. See the official label on DailyMed →
Publix Artificial Tears Eye Drops · Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Polyvinyl alcohol 500 mg/100 mL · Povidone 600 mg/100 mL, solution/ drops (ophthalmic)
Active ingredient
Active ingredients Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% Povidone 0.6%
Purpose
Purpose Polyvinyl alcohol: Eye Lubricant Povidone: Eye Lubricant
Uses
for use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye for the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye, or to exposure to wind or sun
Warnings
For external use only
Do not use
this product if solution changes color or becomes cloudy
When using this product
remove contact lens before using to avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface replace cap after using. Keep container tightly closed
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 the reach of children. If accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
Directions
Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed.
Other information
Store at 59°-86°F (15°-30°C)
Inactive ingredients
benzalkonium chloride, dextrose, edetate disodium, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate dibasic, and sodium phosphate monobasic
— FDA label of Publix Artificial Tears Eye Drops, Publix Super Markets, Inc., effective December 30, 2025. See the official label on DailyMed →
Artificial Tears · KC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 5 mg/mL · Povidone, unspecified 6 mg/mL, solution/ drops (ophthalmic)
Active ingredient
Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% Povidone 0.6%
Purpose
Polyvinyl alcohol ......Lubricant Povidone.....................Lubricant
Uses
- for use as a protectant against further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye
- for the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye, or to exposure to wind or sun
Warnings
For external use only
Do not use
this product if
- solution changes color or becomes cloudy
When using this product
- remove contact lens before using
- to avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to any surface
- replace cap after using. Keep container tightly closed.
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 the reach of children. If accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
Directions
instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed
Other information
- store at 15°-30°C (59°-86°F)
Inactive ingredients
benzalkonium chloride, dextrose, edetate disodium, potassium chloride, purified water, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium phosphate dibasic, sodium phosphate monobasic
— FDA label of Artificial Tears, KC Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective December 30, 2025. 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.
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 0.5% · Povidone 0.6% · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 7 products
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| CareOne Artificial Tears Eye Drops 15mL | Retail Business Services, LLC | DailyMed |
| Equate Artificial Tears | Walmart, Inc. | DailyMed |
| Family Wellness Artificial Tears | Family Dollar Services, Inc. | DailyMed |
| Good Neighbor Pharmacy Artifical Tears Lubricant Eye Drops | AmerisourceBergen | DailyMed |
| Kroger Eye Drops Artificial Tears | The Kroger Company | DailyMed |
| Leader Artificial Tears 15 mL | Cardinal Health | DailyMed |
| Meijer Artificial Tears | Meijer Distribution, Inc. | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% · Povidone 0.6% · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 3 products
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 0.5% · Povidone 0.6% · solution (ophthalmic) · 3 products
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Tears | NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | DailyMed |
| Good Sense Artificial Tears | Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc. | DailyMed |
| Topcare Health Artificial Tears | Topco Associates LLC | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol 14 mg/mL · Povidone 6 mg/mL · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh Classic | A-S Medication Solutions | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol 500 mg/100 mL · Povidone 600 mg/100 mL · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Publix Artificial Tears Eye Drops | Publix Super Markets, Inc. | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 5 mg/mL · Povidone, unspecified 6 mg/mL · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 1 product
Drug Facts for this strength and form ↑
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Tears | KC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 0.5% · Povidone, unspecified 0.6% · solution/ drops (intraocular) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Good Neighbor Pharmacy Artifical Tears Lubricant Eye Drops | Proficient Rx LP | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 0.05 g/mL · Povidone, unspecified 0.06 g/mL · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| GoodSense Artifical Tears | Proficient Rx LP | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 5 mg/mL · Povidone, unspecified 6 mg/mL · solution (ophthalmic) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Goodsense Artificial Tears | Proficient Rx LP | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 5 mg/mL · Povidone 6 mg/mL · liquid (ophthalmic) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Eyes Natural Tears | Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 27 g/1000 mL · Povidone 20 g/1000 mL · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Freshkote Preservative Free Lubricant Eye Drops | Harrow Eye, LLC | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 14 mg/mL · Povidone 6 mg/mL · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| REFRESH Classic | Allergan, Inc. | — |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 27 g/1000 mL · Povidone 20 g/1000 mL · solution (ophthalmic) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| FreshKote Preservative Free Lubricant Eye Drops | Eyevance Pharmaceuticals | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 5 mg/mL · Povidone 6 mg/mL · solution/ drops (ophthalmic) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Stye | Medtech Products Inc. | DailyMed |
Polyvinyl alcohol 14 mg/mL · Povidone, unspecified 6 mg/mL · liquid (ophthalmic) · 1 product
| Brand or product name | Company on the label | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Minidrops | Optics Laboratory, Inc | 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.
| Strength and form | Generic or brand | Pharmacies pay |
|---|---|---|
| polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% · povidone 0.6% solution/ drops | Generic | $0.1121 per mL |
| polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 0.5% · povidone 0.6% solution/ drops | Generic | $0.1121 per mL |
| polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 14 mg/mL · povidone 6 mg/mL solution/ drops | Brand: REFRESH Classic | $0.2798–$0.3062 per unit 2 packages, lowest to highest |
| polyvinyl alcohol, unspecified 27 g/1000 mL · povidone 20 g/1000 mL solution | Brand: FreshKote Preservative Free Lubricant Eye Drops | $2.88 per mL |
NADAC list of November 4, 2026; these prices took effect between November 19, 2025 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.
- Proficient Rx LP3 products
- A-S Medication Solutions1 product
- Walgreens Co.1 product
- Best Choice1 product
- Publix Super Markets, Inc.1 product
- Chain Drug Marketing Association, Inc.1 product
- KC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1 product
- Topco Associates LLC1 product
- The Kroger Company1 product
- Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.1 product
- NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1 product
- Harrow Eye, LLC1 product
- Allergan, Inc.1 product
- Meijer Distribution, Inc.1 product
- Family Dollar Services, Inc.1 product
- Retail Business Services, LLC1 product
- Geiss, Destin & Dunn, Inc.1 product
- Eyevance Pharmaceuticals1 product
- Cardinal Health1 product
- Medtech Products Inc.1 product
- Walmart, Inc.1 product
- AmerisourceBergen1 product
- Optics Laboratory, Inc1 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.
-
September 11, 2026 · Class II · Ongoing · D-0002-2027
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Artificial Tears Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops (polyvinyl alcohol 0.5%, povidone 0.6%), 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottles; a) Best Choice, PROUDLY DISTRIBUTED BY: VALU MERCHANDISERS, CO., 5000 KANSAS CITY, KS 66106, UPC 0 70038 47 — K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
-
March 3, 2026 · Class II · Ongoing · D-0416-2026
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Artificial Tears Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops (polyvinyl alcohol 0.5%, povidone 0.6%), 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottles; a) LEADER, DISTRIBUTED BY CARDINAL HEALTH, DUBLIN, OHIO 43017, www.myleader.com, NDC 70000-0011-1; b) Good — K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc
Sources
- Drug labeling (SPL, openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- NDC Directory (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- Drug recall enforcement reports (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 27, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
- 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.