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Alomide

lodoxamide
Used for Allergic Conjunctivitis
Used for Allergic Conjunctivitis

Alomide (lodoxamide) is an allergy eye drop used to treat long-term inflammatory eye conditions like vernal keratoconjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, and vernal keratitis. It works as a mast cell stabilizer to help relieve itchy, red eyes in adults and children 2 years and older. The typical dose is 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) four times a day. The most common side effects include eye burning, stinging, and discomfort, but these are temporary and should go away with time.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Daisy Chau, PharmD
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 14, 2025
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Alomide (lodoxamide)?

What is Alomide (lodoxamide) used for?

How Alomide (lodoxamide) works

Alomide (lodoxamide) is a mast cell stabilizer. It works by blocking the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause itching, redness, and other allergy symptoms.

When does Alomide (lodoxamide) start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAlomide
Drug ClassMast cell stabilizer
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$262.47(save 21.40%)
GoodRx discount
$206.31
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What are the side effects of Alomide (lodoxamide)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Temporary eye burning, stinging, or discomfort (15%)

Other Side Effects

  • Eye itching
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry eye
  • Tearing
  • Feeling like there's something in the eye
  • Eye pain
  • Eye swelling
  • Eye fatigue
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Blurred vision

feeling of something in eye, itching, discomfort, redness, tearing or discharge, or other eye or eyelid irritation (not present before you started using this medicine or becoming worse while you are using this medicine)

Rare

Dizziness

mucus from eye, eye pain, or swelling of eye or eyelid (not present before you started using this medicine or becoming worse while you are using this medicine)

headache

sensitivity of eyes to light

skin rash

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Burning or stinging (when medicine is applied)

Less common or rare

Aching eyes

crusting in corner of eye or on eyelid

drowsiness or sleepiness

dryness of nose or eyes

feeling of heat in eye

heat sensation on body

nausea or stomach discomfort

scales on eyelid or eyelash

sneezing

sticky feeling of eyes

tired eyes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Alomide (lodoxamide)

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Pros

Helps treat long-term allergic eye conditions

Non-steroid option to treat eye inflammation

Approved for use in children as young as 2 years old

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Cons

Must use four times a day

Can take days to weeks to work

Can cause eye irritation after application

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Alomide (lodoxamide)

pharmacist

  • Don't let the Alomide (lodoxamide) dropper tip touch any surface, including your eye or hands. This can contaminate the solution and raise the risk of infection.

    • Don't wear soft contact lenses while using Alomide (lodoxamide). This medication contains benzalkonium chloride, which can stick to your lenses and cause damage.

      • You might feel temporary burning or stinging in your eyes after using Alomide (lodoxamide). This is normal and should go away quickly, but if it lasts too long or gets worse, contact your prescriber.

        • Alomide (lodoxamide) shouldn't be used for more than three months. If you think you or your child needs to continue this medication longer, talk to your prescriber.

          faqs

          Frequently asked questions about Alomide (lodoxamide)

          Does Alomide (lodoxamide) help with pink eye?
          Alomide (lodoxamide) is approved to treat specific inflammatory eye conditions, including vernal conjunctivitis, which is a more serious type of conjunctivitis (commonly known as "pink eye"). If you think you have pink eye, see your prescriber for the right treatment. Your symptoms could be caused by a virus or bacteria, and Alomide (lodoxamide) won’t help with those types.
          How long does it take for Alomide (lodoxamide) to work?
          It might take a few days to weeks for Alomide (lodoxamide) to start working. You need to use it four times a day for the best results. If your symptoms don’t improve after using it as directed, talk to your prescriber.
          Is Alomide (lodoxamide) an antihistamine?
          No, Alomide (lodoxamide) isn't an antihistamine. While it helps prevent the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, it doesn’t block histamine’s effects on the body like antihistamines do.
          Can you buy Alomide (lodoxamide) over-the-counter (OTC)?
          No, Alomide (lodoxamide) isn't available OTC. It requires a prescription from a healthcare professional.
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          What are the risks and warnings for Alomide (lodoxamide)?

          Alomide (lodoxamide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

          risk-warning

          For eyes only

          Alomide (lodoxamide) is an eye drop medication and should only be used on the eye(s). Don't inject this medication.

          risk-warning

          Contact lens use

          The preservative benzalkonium chloride in Alomide (lodoxamide) can stick to soft contact lenses and cause damage. Don't wear contacts while using this medication.

          risk-warning

          Temporary burning or stinging

          It's normal for Alomide (lodoxamide) to cause temporary burning or stinging in your eyes. If it doesn't go away or gets worse, contact your prescriber.

          dosage

          Alomide (lodoxamide) dosage forms

          The average cost for 1 eye dropper of 10ml of 0.1% of Alomide (lodoxamide) is $206.31 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 21.4% off the average retail price of $262.47.
          eye dropper
          Eye dropper
          DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
          10ml of 0.1%1 eye dropper$206.31$206.31

          Typical dosing for Alomide (lodoxamide)

          The typical dose is 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) four times a day for up to three months.

          interactions

          Interactions between Alomide (lodoxamide) and other drugs

          Alomide (lodoxamide) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Alomide (lodoxamide). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

          Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

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          How much does Alomide (lodoxamide) cost?

          To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
          Alomide (brand)
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          $206.31

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          alternatives

          What are alternatives to Alomide (lodoxamide)?

          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Alomide (lodoxamide). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
          Alomide (lodoxamide)
          Used for:
          $206.31 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
          Verkazia (cyclosporine)
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          Cromolyn eye drop
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          References

          Best studies we found

          Ahn, J., et al. (2021). Binding affinity of benzalkonium chloride on contact lens surfaces and the effects on their physical properties. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces.

          Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (2023). Alomide- lodoxamide tromethamine solution/drops [package insert]. DailyMed.

          American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. (2023). Allergic conjunctivitis.

          View All References (2)

          Masters, J. S., et al. (2025). Vernal keratoconjunctivitis. American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeWiki.

          MedlinePlus. (2024). Vernal conjunctivitis.

          GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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