Can You Drink Alcohol If Using Medicated Eye Drops?

Answer

Most eye drops are not absorbed systemically to a significant extent and therefore, there is less of a concern with drug interactions (like with alcohol) or contraindications when compared to oral medications.

Nevertheless, multiple studies show that there is at least some absorption with ocular medications and certain eye drops may need to be used cautiously. One example is eye drops that are classified as "beta-blockers". They theoretically could exacerbate breathing problems in asthmatics and at least one study has reported cardiovascular effects with the eye drop timolol.

Below is a flowchart detailing how systemic drug absorption can occur from eye drops:

Source: Clinical Ophthalmology 

So, if you are using ophthalmic eye drops, while interactions and contraindications will be uncommon, it is important to ask your doctor or pharmacist about any problems you might have with other drugs you are taking or concomitant illnesses you may have.

Additionally, it is very important to apply eye drops correctly, as doing so can greatly reduce systemic absorption. Be sure to follow proper administration methods.

In regard to the two eye drops you specifically mentioned, there are no reports of interactions with alcohol.

Prednisolone AC And Alcohol

Prednisolone AC is a commonly used ophthalmic steroid. It is absorbed through the aqueous humor, but is reported to have minimal systemic absorption and the majority of drug metabolism occurs locally in the eye. There isn't thought to be any interaction with prednisolone AC when used in the eye and alcohol.

Olopatadine And Alcohol

Olopatadine, an ophthalmic antihistamine, is not extensively absorbed when administered in the eye and is not thought to cause sedation or drowsiness, like many oral antihistamines. There are no reports of interactions with alcohol.

Final Words

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