02.02.24
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to purchase or use South Moon, Rebright or FivFivGo eye drops— copycats of Lumify eye drops— because of the potential risk of eye infection. Bausch + Lomb’s Lumify brand eye drops are an over-the-counter (OTC) product approved for redness relief.
South Moon, Rebright and FivFivGo eye drops are unapproved drugs and should not be available for sale in the US; the products claim to treat eye conditions such as glaucoma, which is treated with prescription drugs or surgery, according to FDA.
The agency tested samples of South Moon and Rebright eye drops (purchased online). The South Moon eye drops were contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of bacteria that could result in an antibiotic-resistant infection. While Rebright testing was negative for contamination, FDA recommends consumers not use this product.
FDA testing of the Rebright and South Moon eye drops also found that these copycat products lacked brimonidine tartrate, the active ingredient in Lumify. FDA was unable to obtain FivFivGo samples.
The origin of these products is currently unclear, said FDA, which said it continues to investigate. South Moon is labeled as made by Shantou Cross-border Premium Products E-Commerce Co. Ltd. in China.
FDA has not received any adverse event reports that specifically name the South Moon, Rebright or FivFivGo products. However, the agency has received reports related to possibly fake Lumify, including product quality concerns, eye irritation, pain and infection.
The agency recommends consumers only buy eye products from reputable retailers such as state-licensed pharmacies and beware of online retailers selling products with false claims.
More eye drops were recalled in November.
South Moon, Rebright and FivFivGo eye drops are unapproved drugs and should not be available for sale in the US; the products claim to treat eye conditions such as glaucoma, which is treated with prescription drugs or surgery, according to FDA.
The agency tested samples of South Moon and Rebright eye drops (purchased online). The South Moon eye drops were contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of bacteria that could result in an antibiotic-resistant infection. While Rebright testing was negative for contamination, FDA recommends consumers not use this product.
FDA testing of the Rebright and South Moon eye drops also found that these copycat products lacked brimonidine tartrate, the active ingredient in Lumify. FDA was unable to obtain FivFivGo samples.
The origin of these products is currently unclear, said FDA, which said it continues to investigate. South Moon is labeled as made by Shantou Cross-border Premium Products E-Commerce Co. Ltd. in China.
FDA has not received any adverse event reports that specifically name the South Moon, Rebright or FivFivGo products. However, the agency has received reports related to possibly fake Lumify, including product quality concerns, eye irritation, pain and infection.
The agency recommends consumers only buy eye products from reputable retailers such as state-licensed pharmacies and beware of online retailers selling products with false claims.
2023 Eye Drop Recalls
In February 2023, several eye drop products were recalled for contamination, as reported by Happi. These drops led to a bacterial infection that left one person dead and three others with permanent vision loss.More eye drops were recalled in November.