The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or retarding degradation of a functional coating on a medical device comprising an antioxidant selected from gallic acid or a derivative thereof, the use of the composition for preventing or retarding degradation of a functional coating on a medical device from reactive species generated during exposure of radiation, and a wetting agent comprising the composition. Furthermore, the wetting agent prevents or retards the hydrolytic degradation of the coating during the intended shelf-life of the wetted coated product.
