Genteal Gel

GenTeal Gel is a lubricant eye gel for dry, irritated eyes, sold in India in a 10 g tube. Its active ingredient is hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) 0.3%, according to Tata 1mg and GNH India, and Apollo Pharmacy also lists carbomer 980, a gelling agent. Apollo names Novartis India Ltd as the maker and PharmEasy names Alcon Laboratories Pvt Ltd. It is not a medicine that treats a disease: it coats and wets the surface of the eye to ease dryness, burning and grittiness. We sell it in packs of 1, 3 or 6 tubes, from $12.50 a tube before shipping.

Please read this before you buy. In the US, a gel of the same name and strength (GenTeal Tears Severe) costs less in a US store than a tube from any of our packs, and much less once our shipping is added; the price section shows the figures. The Indian listings also do not say which preservative the Indian tube contains, so do not assume it is preservative free. Eye lubricants are sold without a prescription, but dryness that lasts more than a few weeks, or a painful or red eye, needs an eye examination rather than more gel.

GenTeal Gel at a glance

Price per tube

Prices as of October 2026; the pack selector shows the current price. None of the packs reaches the $149 free shipping level on its own, so each includes the $25 shipping charge below unless you add other items to the order.

How long a tube lasts. The label says to use it "as needed", so there is no fixed number of uses a day and we cannot say how many days a tube lasts. What can limit a tube is the rule for an opened tube. The US GenTeal label gives no period after opening; Tata 1mg's listing says to use it within 4 weeks of opening (and 30 days in another part of the same page), Apollo's listing says within 4 weeks after breaking the seal, and a UK carbomer eye gel, Viscotears Liquid Gel, says to discard it four weeks after first opening (UK SmPC 4.2, 6.3). Follow what the carton of your tube says. If it gives a 4 week limit, a 6 tube pack opened one tube at a time lasts up to about 24 weeks, or 5 to 6 months (our arithmetic), so check the expiry dates when it arrives.

Compared with GenTeal and other eye gels in the US

In the US, GenTeal Tears Severe lubricant eye gel (Alcon) is hypromellose 0.3% in a 10 g tube, sold over the counter (DailyMed; openFDA NDC 0065-8064-01). The figures below are what US pharmacies paid according to the Medicaid NADAC survey (as of 21 October 2026) and one retail price we read on heb.com on 22 October 2026. NADAC is a pharmacy acquisition cost, not the price at the counter.

So for US buyers, a tube at the H-E-B listed price, or at what pharmacies pay (NADAC), costs less than a tube from any of our packs, even before our shipping charge: one tube from us with shipping is $43, about four times the H-E-B listed price (our arithmetic). If you live in the US, buy GenTeal or another lubricant gel locally. In Canada, the Health Canada Drug Product Database lists GenTeal Gel (DIN 02242977, hypromellose 0.3%) with the status "Cancelled Post Market" since 30 May 2016, and we found no GenTeal product on the UK emc, so in those countries this brand may not be on the shelf. Other lubricant drops and gels are, and a pharmacist can suggest one (NHS). We have no price data for the UK, Canada or Australia; compare a local product before ordering from abroad (our advice).

Is the Indian GenTeal Gel the same as US or Australian GenTeal?

We cannot say that it is identical. Here is what each source lists:

The hypromellose strength matches, and Apollo's carbomer 980 figure of 2.2 mg matches the Australian 2.2 mg per gram, so the Indian gel looks like the same type of formula. The US label lists carbomer as an inactive ingredient, and carbomer is not among the active ingredients the US over the counter rules for eye lubricants allow (21 CFR 349.12); the Australian and Indian listings name it beside hypromellose. Whether the Indian tube contains the same sodium perborate preservative, we could not confirm. If you have reacted to a preservative in eye products before, check the carton before you use it, and ask a pharmacist if it does not list one (our advice).

What GenTeal Gel is for, and what it is not for

The US label gives its uses as to temporarily relieve "discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye or to exposure to wind or sun", as a protectant against further irritation, or "to relieve dryness of the eye". It works by adding a thick, wet layer over the eye surface; it does not change how many tears you make. The UK SmPC for a different product, a carbomer eye gel, says it "forms a lubricating film with prolonged contact time" (Viscotears Liquid Gel, UK 5.1).

How well do lubricants like this work? A 2016 Cochrane review of 43 randomised trials (3,497 people with dry eye) found that over the counter artificial tears "may be safe and effective" and that most may have similar effects, but rated the evidence as low quality. In two trials (175 people), drops based on 0.2% polyacrylic acid (carbomer) eased symptoms better than 1.4% polyvinyl alcohol drops (Pucker 2016, PMID 26905373). These results are for artificial tears in general, not for this tube.

Gel or drops: which to choose

GenTeal Gel comes in one size, the 10 g tube. The choice is between a gel and a thinner drop. A gel stays on the eye longer but blurs vision for a while after it goes in: in a UK carbomer gel label, blurred vision was the most frequent reaction in clinical trials, in 11% of patients (Viscotears Liquid Gel, UK 4.8). The UK hypromellose 0.3% drop label says it "May cause blurring of vision on instillation" (Martindale, UK 4.7). Many people therefore use a gel at bedtime or when they do not need sharp vision, and a thinner drop during the day (our suggestion, not a label instruction).

The ingredients in the last three rows are as listed on our product pages; check each page and carton. The Cochrane review found that most over the counter artificial tears may have similar effects, on low quality evidence (Pucker 2016), so if one stings or does not help, a pharmacist or optician can suggest another.

How to use GenTeal Gel

1. Check the tube. The US label says do not use it "if gel changes color or becomes cloudy", and the US carton says to use it only if the pull tab is intact at the time of purchase.
2. Wash your hands. Tilt your head back or lie down, pull the lower eyelid down and squeeze a small amount into the pocket (Apollo). The US label says "put 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed"; the US rules for eye lubricants word it "Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed" (21 CFR 349.60). Close the eye and blink gently to spread it.
3. Do not touch the tip of the tube to any surface, including your eye, eyelids, eyelashes or fingers, and replace the cap after use (US label; Apollo).
4. Other eye drops. The UK carbomer gel label says to leave at least 5 minutes between it and any other eye medicine, and to put the gel in last (Viscotears Liquid Gel, UK 4.5). Do the same with GenTeal Gel (our advice). If you use glaucoma drops or other prescription drops, do not stop them in favour of a lubricant.
5. Wait for your vision to clear before you drive or use machines (Viscotears UK 4.7; Martindale UK 4.7).
6. Storage. The US label says store between 15°C and 25°C; Tata 1mg and PharmEasy say at or below 25°C, and Apollo says 15°C to 25°C. No source we checked asks for it to be kept in a fridge. Keep it out of the reach of children.
7. After opening, follow the period on your carton (see the price section). Do not share a tube with anyone else (our advice).

Contact lenses. The US GenTeal label says nothing about contact lenses. Apollo's listing says "If you wear contact lenses, always remove them before applying Genteal Gel." UK labels for a preserved hypromellose drop and a preserved carbomer gel say to remove lenses first and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back, because their preservatives can be deposited in or discolour soft lenses (Martindale UK 4.4; Viscotears UK 4.4). Those labels use different preservatives from GenTeal, but since the Indian tube's preservative is not confirmed, take your lenses out and wait at least 15 minutes (our advice). A red eye in a contact lens wearer needs urgent advice (NHS).

Groups who need extra care

• Allergy to an ingredient. The US label says do not use it "if you are sensitive to any ingredient in this product". Its ingredients include sodium perborate and sorbitol (US label); the Indian listings do not give a full list.
• Children. The US label gives no age limit and says "Keep out of reach of children." For babies and young children, ask a doctor or pharmacist before use, because a dry or sticky eye in a child can have other causes (our advice).
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The US GenTeal label has no pregnancy warning. The UK hypromellose drop label says systemic exposure is negligible and the product "has no pharmacological properties" (Martindale UK 4.6). The UK carbomer gel label says no effects are anticipated but that "Administration during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended, except for compelling reasons" (Viscotears UK 4.6). Because the labels differ, ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Eye surgery, injury or an eye condition under treatment. Ask your eye doctor before adding any drop or gel (our advice).
• Dry eye from medicines. The NHS lists "certain medicines (for example, some antidepressants or blood pressure medicines)" among the causes of dry eyes. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor (our advice).

Side effects

The US Drug Facts label for GenTeal Tears Severe gel lists no side effects; US over the counter labels of this type give stop-use warnings instead (eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation). The UK labels below are for other hypromellose and carbomer products, not for GenTeal, and are given as the closest licensed comparisons.

The Cochrane review found that over the counter artificial tears "may be generally safe, but not without adverse events" (Pucker 2016).

When to get urgent help

• Changes to your sight (wavy lines, flashing, loss of vision), pain when looking at light, a red eye with a severe headache and feeling sick, a very dark red eye, an eye injury, or something stuck in the eye. The NHS says call 999 or go to A&E (in the US or Canada call 911, in Australia 000; our advice).
• A painful red eye, or a red eye while you wear contact lenses. The NHS says ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111, as it could be an eye infection.
• Eye pain, changes in vision, or redness or irritation that continues, or the condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours. The US label says stop use and ask a doctor.
• Allergy signs: swelling of the eyelids, lips, face or throat, hives, wheezing or trouble breathing. Stop the gel and get emergency help if breathing is affected (our advice; hypersensitivity is listed in the Viscotears UK label 4.8).
• Swallowed by a child. The US label says "If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away" (US 1-800-222-1222; in Australia 13 11 26). The UK hypromellose and carbomer labels say no toxic effects are expected from accidental ingestion of the contents of one bottle (Martindale and Viscotears UK 4.9), but follow the poison line's advice.

Who should not use it

Do not use it if:

• You are sensitive (allergic) to any ingredient in the product (US label). The UK hypromellose and carbomer labels make hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipient a contraindication (Martindale UK 4.3; Viscotears UK 4.3).
• The gel has changed colour or become cloudy (US label), or the pull tab or seal was broken when it arrived (US carton).

Do not rely on it, and see a professional, if:

• You have any of the urgent signs above.
• Dryness continues for a few weeks despite home treatment, or the shape of your eyelids changes (NHS).
• You wear contact lenses and your eye is red (NHS).

Prescription and legal status

• US: no prescription needed. openFDA lists GenTeal Tears Severe gel (hypromellose 0.003 g/g, 10 g tube) under the marketing category "OTC monograph drug" (monograph M018). Under the FDA eye lubricant (ophthalmic demulcent) rules, 21 CFR 349.12, hypromellose may be used at 0.2 to 2.5 percent, so 0.3% is inside that range; carbomer is not on the list of permitted active ingredients, and the US label shows it as an inactive ingredient.
• UK: we found no GenTeal product on emc (search on 22 October 2026). Lubricant eye products are sold in the UK without a prescription: the NHS says a pharmacist can advise on products you can buy "such as eyedrops, gels, ointments". Some are licensed medicines, for example Hypromellose 0.3% Eye Drops (Martindale, PL 00156/0069) and Viscotears Liquid Gel (PL13757/0020). Others are sold as medical devices: MHRA guidance says unmedicated artificial tears are "considered to be medical devices if therapeutic claims are made" (MHRA borderlines guidance, January 2021). We did not check the UK device register for GenTeal.
• Canada: the Health Canada Drug Product Database lists GenTeal Gel (DIN 02242977, hypromellose 0.3%, ophthalmic gel) as a non-prescription drug with the status "Cancelled Post Market" since 30 May 2016. The GenTeal drops (DIN 02231289) and GenTeal Geldrops (DIN 02286351) entries are also cancelled.
• Australia: GenTeal Gel 10 g is sold over the counter in Australian pharmacies (Amcal listing). We could not read the TGA's ARTG search, so we have not confirmed whether it is entered as a medicine or a device.
• India: the listings disagree. Apollo labels it "Prescription Medicine" but its own FAQ says it is "available over the counter"; Tata 1mg marks it "Prescription required".

The Indian pack we sell is not registered with the FDA, MHRA, TGA or Health Canada. The FDA says personal importation of unapproved medicines is illegal in most circumstances, and this Indian pack is not the US-marketed pack. Given that GenTeal is on US shelves at a lower price, there is little reason for a US buyer to import it (our view).

Buying genuine GenTeal Gel

The MHRA warns: "Any medicine not authorised for sale in the UK can be unsafe or ineffective and there is no way of knowing what is in them or the negative health effects they can have." It also advises: "Only use UK-registered pharmacies, including online pharmacies displaying the official green cross logo." When your order arrives, check that the carton and tube name hypromellose 0.3%, show a batch number and an expiry date, list the ingredients, and that the seal or pull tab is intact. These checks cannot prove a tube is genuine, because counterfeiters copy packaging. If a tube looks wrong, the gel is discoloured or cloudy, or it causes symptoms, stop using it, seek medical advice and report it to your regulator (the MHRA Yellow Card scheme in the UK, FDA MedWatch in the US, the TGA in Australia or Health Canada) as well as to us.

Delivery

We ship GenTeal Gel to the US, UK, Australia and Canada in plain packaging with tracking. Standard delivery takes 7 to 14 business days, so if your eyes are uncomfortable now, buy a lubricant locally while you wait (our advice). Shipping costs a flat $25 on orders under $149 and is free from $149. See our shipping page and returns and refunds.

Related guides

• Cyclosporine eye drops for dry eye: Restasis, Cyclomune and what the trials show
• Buying eye drops from an online pharmacy: what you need to know
• How to buy eye care medicine online safely

For diagnosed dry eye disease that lubricants do not control, an eye doctor may prescribe Cyclomune 0.05% Eye Drop (ciclosporin); it is a prescription medicine, not a lubricant.

Sources

• GENTEAL TEARS SEVERE (hypromellose) gel, US Drug Facts label, Alcon Laboratories, DailyMed setid a57854fc-f3a2-4fbb-b718-cd06f87a721e, SPL version 4 (effective 14 December 2023): active ingredient, uses, warnings, directions, other information, inactive ingredients, principal display panel. DailyMed
• US Food and Drug Administration, openFDA NDC directory, searched 22 October 2026: GenTeal Tears Severe gel 0065-8064 (10 g tube) and Systane Gel 0065-0474 (10 g tube), both "OTC monograph drug", M018. openFDA
• 21 CFR Part 349, Ophthalmic drug products for over-the-counter human use, sections 349.12 (ophthalmic demulcents) and 349.60 (labeling), eCFR, up to date as of 19 October 2026. eCFR
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), 2026 file as of 21 October 2026: GenTeal Tears Severe 0.3% gel (NDC 00065806401) and Systane 0.3% eye gel (NDC 00065047401), $0.90372 per gram, effective 19 August 2026. data.medicaid.gov
• H-E-B. GenTeal Tears lubricant eye gel 0.34 oz, $10.98, read 22 October 2026. heb.com
• Hypromellose 0.3% w/v Eye Drops, UK Summary of Product Characteristics, Martindale Pharmaceuticals, PL 00156/0069, revised 10 March 2021, sections 4.2 to 4.9 and 6. emc
• Viscotears Liquid Gel (carbomer 2.0 mg/g), UK Summary of Product Characteristics, Dr. Gerhard Mann (Bausch and Lomb UK), PL13757/0020, revised 1 November 2016, sections 4.2 to 4.9, 5.1 and 6. emc
• Pucker AD, Ng SM, Nichols JJ. Over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops for dry eye syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. PMID 26905373. PubMed
• Health Canada Drug Product Database: GenTeal Gel (DIN 02242977), GenTeal (DIN 02231289) and GenTeal Geldrops (DIN 02286351), Alcon Canada, searched 22 October 2026. Health Canada DPD
• MHRA. Borderlines between medical devices and medicinal products in Great Britain, version 1.2, January 2021, section 5. GOV.UK
• NHS. Dry eyes, page last reviewed 6 January 2025. nhs.uk
• Tata 1mg, Apollo Pharmacy, PharmEasy and GNH India. GenTeal Gel 10 g listings, read 22 October 2026. Tata 1mg, Apollo, PharmEasy, GNH India
• Amcal. GenTeal Gel 10 g (Australia), read 22 October 2026. amcal.com.au
• MHRA. 20 million illegal erectile dysfunction pills seized as MHRA warns against risky online buys, 13 February 2026. GOV.UK
• US Food and Drug Administration. Personal Importation. FDA

This page is for information and is not medical advice. GenTeal Gel is a lubricant for eye comfort; a painful or red eye, a change in vision, or dryness that does not settle needs an eye examination.