Dacryum

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Dacryum

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Dacryum

Property Description
Active Ingredients Boric Acid (H3BO3), Sodium Tetraborate (Na2B4O7)
Form Sterile Ophthalmic Lavage Solution (Eyewash)
Pharmacological Class Antiseptic Agent, Mild Astringent
General Purpose Cleansing the eye and relieving mild irritation
Origin Synthetic Combination Product

Defining Dacryum: Form, Type, and Class

Dacryum is a pharmaceutical combination product classified as a sterile ophthalmic lavage solution, formulated as an eyewash for external rinsing of the eye's surface. This medicine belongs to the Ophthalmological Preparation class and is noted for its properties as a Mild Astringent and gentle Antiseptic Agent. The solution's design, which includes the supply in hygienic single-dose containers, is tailored for the Topical Ophthalmic administration route. The classification of the borate system confirms its historical use as a topical antiseptic and buffer.

What is Dacryum Made Of? Composition and Origin

Dacryum is composed of the synthetic active ingredients Boric Acid (H3BO3) and Sodium Tetraborate (Na2B4O7), commonly known as Borax. These components are dissolved in an Aqueous Solution base. The inclusion of the two borate compounds creates a buffered system, which is crucial for maintaining a pH level that is compatible with the external ocular tissue. This buffering ability is a key feature of the borate system when used in ophthalmic preparations.

What is Dacryum’s Main Purpose?

The main function of Dacryum is to facilitate optimal eye hygiene by providing effective surface cleansing and gentle soothing. This is achieved through the washing and cleansing action, which physically flushes away common environmental irritants and foreign particles from the eye. The inherent mild antiseptic properties of the formulation support this function by providing a gentle sanitizing effect on the ocular surface. This defines Dacryum’s utility as an external preparation that provides relief from discomfort associated with simple, superficial eye irritation.

What side effects are possible with Dacryum?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Ocular Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

The safety profile of Dacryum (Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate ophthalmic solution), as defined in regulatory documents for similar preparations, involves adverse reactions that are primarily localized to the application site (the eye). The most frequently documented less serious side effects include mild stinging or eye irritation, temporary blurred vision, eye redness, and watery eyes. These effects are generally associated with the topical application of the solution.

Serious Safety Concerns

Official labeling defines specific events as serious adverse reactions that require immediate attention. These include the manifestation of severe burning or stinging of the eyes, severe eye pain, or vision changes that persist for several hours after use. Signs of a systemic allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat, are also classified as serious safety concerns in regulatory records.

Safety-Related Restrictions

This product is strictly intended for topical ophthalmic use only. Regulatory documents explicitly state that the solution must not be allowed to enter the mouth, nose, or ears. Furthermore, the product is contraindicated in individuals with a known allergy to boric acid and is restricted from use near any open wound or skin injury around the eyes. This stringent route restriction is critical due to the underlying hazard classification of the active borate components, which, if systemically absorbed, are classified in some regulations as potentially damaging to fertility or the unborn child.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official regulatory guidance for Dacryum (Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate Ophthalmic Solution) addresses the risk of systemic toxicity that may occur following accidental oral ingestion, rather than overdose from intended topical use.

Documented Overdose Manifestations

System Documented Clinical Manifestations
Gastrointestinal Nausea, vomiting (potentially blue-green), abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Dermatological Intense red skin rash followed by peeling (exfoliation).
Neurological Headache, lethargy, tremors, and severe outcomes like seizures and coma.

Required Emergency Action

Official labeling mandates that if the solution is swallowed, an individual must seek medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Overdose is classified as potentially severe due to the risk of multi-organ damage. Severe toxicity can lead to life-threatening complications, including acute renal failure and shock. Management involves symptomatic and supportive care, including the monitoring of vital signs and laboratory analysis. A specific, high-risk consideration exists for children and infants, where toxicity and mortality rates following ingestion are elevated.

Therapeutic Uses of Dacryum

What Dacryum Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Dacryum (Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate ophthalmic solution) is generally used for symptomatic relief in clinical contexts where additional support for symptom management is required due to external eye irritation and minor discomfort. It is relevant in situations involving symptom-driven clinical presentations that interfere with daily comfort. This formulation is used for irrigating the eye to help relieve irritation by removing loose foreign material.


Key Therapeutic Domains and Benefits

This solution helps address groups of symptoms that may appear suddenly and create noticeable interference with daily stability, such as a mild burning sensation, itching (pruritus), and the feeling of grittiness or a foreign body. The common indications include supportive care for simple conjunctivitis (non-complicated), irritation associated with mild eye infection, and post-exposure rinsing following contact with dust, smoke, or airborne pollutants.

The primary benefit is that this utility provides support that helps ease the overall burden of symptoms by physically flushing away irritants and offering a gentle soothing action. It is commonly used when these symptoms intensify and short-term symptomatic assistance is appropriate.

“The primary application is to assist with maintaining functional stability when symptoms interfere with routine activities.”


QuickFact Block

Quick Fact: Relief for Simple External Eye Irritation and Contaminant Exposure


Adjunctive Relief in Non-Severe Ophthalmic Conditions

Dacryum is applied in contexts where a supportive cleansing action is relevant. The product is applicable in conditions marked by episodic or fluctuating symptom patterns, including the supportive management of non-severe irritation, helping maintain a sense of stability when acute manifestations become momentarily overwhelming.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

The official eligibility profile for Dacryum (Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate Ophthalmic Lavage Solution) is defined by mandatory prohibitions and conditional restrictions, as outlined in government regulatory labeling for this product class.


Contraindicated Populations and Restrictions

Category Official Regulatory Statement
Absolute Contraindication Individuals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to Boric Acid, Sodium Tetraborate, or any other component in the solution.
Local Restriction Must not be used if there is an open wound or skin injury immediately around the eye.

Age and Physiological Limitations

Category Official Regulatory Status
Pediatric Use (< 2 Yrs) Use is restricted and requires consultation with a doctor. This is due to regulatory guidance concerning the potential risk from systemic boron exposure in infants.
Pregnancy/Lactation Requires consultation with a doctor prior to use. These populations are deemed sensitive, and use is conditional on medical advice.
Contact Lenses Must remove contact lenses prior to applying the solution.
Adult/Geriatric Use Generally allowed under labeled conditions; no explicit restrictions are documented.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Regulatory information for Dacryum (Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate Ophthalmic Lavage Solution) indicates that the product’s use as a sterile eyewash is non-systemic, which fundamentally limits the potential for systemic drug interactions.

Interaction Scope

The most significant interaction documented for this product class is a Physical Administration-Timing Interaction with other topical ophthalmic products. This is necessary because Dacryum is a lavage solution designed to cleanse the eye’s surface, and its subsequent use could physically wash away or dilute the concentration of an applied eye drop or ointment.

Property Official Regulatory Information
Medicinal product categories with documented interactions Topical Ophthalmic Medications (e.g., eye drops, ointments)
Mechanistic basis of interactions Physical administration-timing interaction (due to flushing action). Not chemical or metabolic.
Timing-based interaction rules Must be used prior to administration of other topical ophthalmic preparations to prevent physical removal.

Systemic and Substance Interactions

No clinically significant systemic drug–drug interactions are documented in official regulatory labeling. Due to the negligible systemic absorption of the active ingredients, the risks of metabolic interactions (such as CYP-mediated effects) or transporter-mediated interactions are considered insignificant.

Furthermore, no formal interactions with food, alcohol, or herbal products are documented for this topical route of administration. No combinations with systemic medicines are formally classified as contraindicated.

Regulatory guidance notes regarding the boron components may include a population-specific precaution concerning theoretical exposure thresholds in children under 2 years of age, though this is generally related to excipient limits rather than a drug-drug interaction profile.

Mechanism of Action

Mechanical Dislodgement and Interruption of Stimuli

The action of Dacryum is non-receptor mediated and encompasses three core mechanistic domains that define its effect on the external ocular environment. The first is mechanical dislodgement and interruption of stimuli. The sterile aqueous solution's bulk flow mechanically detaches and removes foreign debris, dust, and non-biological irritants from the ocular surface. This process rapidly results in the interruption of the mechanical nociceptive signal being sent from physically stimulated sensory nerve endings, resulting in a physiological state of reduced mechanical stimulation.

Chemical Buffering and Optimized Ocular Compatibility

The second domain is chemical buffering and optimized ocular compatibility. The combination of Boric Acid and Sodium Tetraborate creates a stable buffer system that stabilizes the solution's pH near physiological neutrality. This crucial physico-chemical buffering synergy supports the compatibility of the solution with the ocular surface tissues, which supports the primary mechanical action.

Non-Specific Chemical Action and Microbial Inhibition

The third domain involves non-specific chemical action and microbial inhibition. The boric acid component exerts a non-specific chemical action by non-competitively interfering with key enzyme systems and structural proteins within microorganisms present on the ocular surface. This mechanism produces a bacteriostatic/fungistatic effect, which limits the proliferation of microorganisms on the exposed tissue.

Dosage and Administration Information

The usage instructions for Dacryum (Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate ophthalmic solution) define its function as a supportive external cleansing agent. The official administration route is strictly Topical Ophthalmic, applied directly to the surface of the eye.

The dosing schedule is based on the presence of temporary symptoms: the product is administered on an as-needed (PRN) basis. The regimen requires the user to thoroughly flush the affected eye until sufficient cleansing is achieved, rather than dictating a fixed volume. The solution is intended only for short-term use for temporary relief.

Administration Procedures and Conditions

Instruction Entity Official Standard
Route of administration Topical Ophthalmic (External Lavage Solution).
Dosing Schedule As needed (PRN) by flushing the eye.
Preparation Contact lenses must be removed before application.
Special Handling Avoid container-tip contact with any surface to prevent contamination. If using a single-use container, discard immediately after application.
Sequential Use If another ophthalmic product is required, a time interval (e.g., 5–15 minutes) should pass after the eyewash application.

These procedural standards mandate specific conditions for proper use. The requirement to remove contact lenses and the strict rule to avoid contamination are essential for maintaining the sterility of the product during administration. No dose adjustments for hepatic or renal impairment are specified, consistent with the non-systemic nature of the topical route. The instructions for this solution define a procedural model focused on short-term, symptom-driven cleansing.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of Studies for Dacryum

The research evidence for Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate ophthalmic solution (Dacryum) focuses on its supportive role as a cleansing and soothing agent. The evidence base primarily consists of small-scale clinical studies, comparative trials, and laboratory research.


Evidence on Cleansing and Relief of Simple Eye Irritation

Research was studied for Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate ophthalmic solution and similar buffered eyewashes in small-scale clinical trials and observational settings. These studies were applied in research contexts involving fluctuating or unstable symptoms such as mild burning or grittiness. The studies monitored patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort.

Findings describe patterns observed in the studies where patients reported short-term changes in physical discomfort. Some comparative trials described patterns in patient-reported outcomes where changes were also observed in groups using non-medicated saline rinsing solutions. Research exploring the standalone contribution of the boric acid component remains limited. Long-term effects are not fully established.


Research on Post-Exposure Flushing and Particle Removal

Research examined outcomes related to the physical removal rate of defined particles and the ability of the solution to maintain a stable, physiologically compatible pH balance on the eye's surface. Studies provide data related to the mechanical function of the rinse and particle removal. The buffering action was studied for maintaining the solution's isotonicity and physiological pH compatibility during the flushing process. The evidence is not designed to evaluate long-term symptom management.


Areas of Uncertainty and Research Gaps

Several gaps and areas of uncertainty exist in the research for Dacryum: Evidence quality varies across studies, with many findings based on small populations. Comparative evidence is lacking in distinguishing the clinical benefit between the specific components and the effectiveness of a simple, sterile, buffered saline flush. Data for certain groups, such as children or older adults, remain insufficient from dedicated clinical trials.

Key Studies & References Label: EYEWASH solution (Regulatory monograph for Boric Acid/Sodium Borate OTC ophthalmic preparations)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Dacryum (FAQ)


Q: Is Dacryum used for conditions other than its primary indication?

Dacryum is officially approved and labeled only for its primary purpose, which is the cleansing of the eye and providing relief from mild irritation. Official regulatory documentation does not describe or define its use for any other medical purpose.


Q: Can Dacryum cause extreme tiredness or drowsiness?

Regulatory information for Dacryum, a topical eyewash, focuses on localized effects at the application site, such as temporary blurred vision or mild stinging. Due to its negligible systemic absorption, systemic effects like tiredness or drowsiness are not typically listed in the product’s core safety documentation.


Q: Is it common to feel slightly dizzy after taking Dacryum?

As Dacryum is a non-systemic ophthalmic wash (meaning it does not significantly enter the bloodstream), dizziness is not reported as one of the commonly occurring adverse reactions. Official labeling primarily lists local eye reactions.


Q: Why do official documents mention Dacryum may not be suitable for pregnant patients?

Official documents state that use during pregnancy requires consultation with a doctor as a precaution. This restriction reflects a precaution against the theoretical risk of systemic exposure, as the active components, if absorbed systemically, are classified in some regulations as potentially affecting the unborn child or fertility.


Q: Can Dacryum affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

Official safety information for Dacryum indicates that temporary blurred vision is a potential side effect. If this effect occurs after use, this effect may impact a person's ability to drive or operate machinery, and it is recommended not to do so until vision returns to normal.


Q: Why do I see Dacryum described as a 'novel compound'?

Dacryum is officially classified as a sterile ophthalmic lavage solution containing Boric Acid and Sodium Tetraborate, both synthetic compounds with long-standing use in this type of preparation. The term 'novel compound' is not used in the official regulatory definitions of this product class.


Q: Can Dacryum be stopped suddenly, or does it require gradual tapering?

The official dosing schedule defines use as as needed (PRN) for temporary relief. This administration model means that no gradual tapering is necessary; the solution can be stopped once eye cleansing is complete or symptoms have resolved.


Q: Does Dacryum help with long-term management of the condition?

Regulatory guidance restricts the use of Dacryum to short-term application for temporary relief. Official research summaries state that evidence for long-term effects is not fully established, as the studies were not designed to evaluate long-term symptom management.


Q: What happens if a dose of Dacryum is missed?

Since Dacryum is an as-needed (PRN) cleansing solution, it does not follow a fixed schedule like other medicines. Therefore, there is no concept of a 'missed dose'; the solution is applied whenever eye cleansing is required.


Q: Can Dacryum be used by breastfeeding mothers?

Official documents state that a breastfeeding patient requires consultation with a doctor prior to use. This precaution relates to the regulatory guidance concerning the potential for systemic exposure of the borate components, meaning use is conditional on medical advice.


Q: How reliable are the long-term safety data for Dacryum?

The official research base is not designed to evaluate long-term symptom management, as Dacryum is intended for short-term use. Official reports indicate that the overall evidence quality for this class of products varies across studies.


Q: Is Dacryum suitable for people who have certain liver or kidney issues?

Official regulatory guidance states that no dose adjustments for hepatic (liver) or renal (kidney) impairment are specified. This is consistent with its topical route of administration, which minimizes the potential for systemic effects on these organs.


Q: Are there any herbal supplements that should be avoided when taking Dacryum?

Official regulatory labeling does not document any formal interactions with herbal products. This is because Dacryum is a topical eyewash with insignificant systemic absorption, meaning it generally does not interfere with oral supplements.


Q: Why do some people experience mild headaches with Dacryum?

Headaches are not listed in the most frequently documented less serious side effects for Dacryum. The common side effects are localized, such as mild stinging or temporary blurred vision.


Q: Does Dacryum interact with birth control pills?

The official product labeling indicates that the risks of systemic drug–drug interactions (such as with oral birth control) are considered insignificant. This is due to the product’s non-systemic use as a topical wash that is not absorbed into the bloodstream in meaningful amounts.


Q: Is Dacryum considered a high-risk medication?

Dacryum is classified as a topical ophthalmic lavage solution intended for short-term, external use. Its official safety profile primarily involves localized, non-serious side effects at the application site, which is consistent with its non-systemic mechanism of action.


Q: Does Dacryum need to be taken at a specific time of day?

The official dosing schedule for Dacryum is defined as As needed (PRN). It is administered when symptoms require eye cleansing, and there is no requirement to use it at a specific time of day.


Q: Is Dacryum a newly approved medication?

Dacryum's active components, Boric Acid and Sodium Tetraborate, are synthetic compounds with a historical use in ophthalmic preparations. The official documentation does not refer to the product as 'newly approved.'

How should Dacryum be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Dacryum?

The following instructions for Dacryum (Boric Acid/Sodium Tetraborate ophthalmic solution) ensure product sterility and stability, as required by official regulatory labeling.


Official Storage Requirements

Storage Rule Requirement
Temperature Store at controlled room temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C.
Restrictions It is mandatory to protect from freezing and excessive heat.
Container Rule Keep the container tightly closed to maintain sterility and prevent contamination.
Child Safety Keep out of the sight and reach of children at all times.

Stability and Disposal

For products packaged in single-dose containers, any remaining solution must be discarded immediately after one use. All unused or expired Dacryum must be disposed of according to local regulations to prevent environmental contamination, as directed by official labeling.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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