Key takeaways
Lastacaft (alcaftadine) and Alocril (nedocromil) are both eye drops used to treat allergy-related eye symptoms, such as itching and redness. They are similar in that they both help manage allergic conjunctivitis, but they have some important differences. Lastacaft is an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer, while Alocril is only a mast cell stabilizer. Lastacaft is available over-the-counter and is typically used once daily, whereas Alocril requires a prescription and is used twice daily. Both medications are only available in a branded version. Common side effects of Lastacaft include eye irritation and burning, while Alocril can cause headaches, eye irritation, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them and do not put them back in for 10 minutes after using Lastacraft. Wearing contact lenses while using Alocril is not recommended.
