OTC drugs for pink eye?

There are none. Pinkeye is a bacterial infection you need antibiotics to cure it...

well...not really.

if it really is contagious viral or bacterial "pink eye" there are not OTC antibacterial or antiviral eye drops. they're all Rx-only. so you'd have to go to the doc.

the problem, of course, is...whether or not it's really "pink eye". PLENTY of people THINK they have "pink eye", but relatively few of them actually do. even when they go to their doctor (PCP, not eye doc) and their doctor TELLS them they have "pink eye" and prescribes them antibiotics for "pink eye"...A BUNCH OF THE TIME THEY STILL DON'T HAVE PINK EYE. that happens all the time.

so that's my little rant on that. but back to your question: "what can I do for a red/bothersome eye that doesn't involve going to the eye doctor?"

1) cold compress. not hot. hot is for "styes".

2) artificial tears...OTC eye lubricant drops like Systane & Refresh Optive

3) don't rub your eye

4) if you wear contacts, stop temporarily. wear glasses

5) OTC anti-allergy eye drops like Alaway

if you try all that for 1-2 days & you get no relief...you're going to have to go in to the eye doc. don't go to your PCP for this

Otc Drugs For Pink Eye