Olopatadine (ophthalmic route)
Available brands
Pataday, Patanol, Pazeo
About this medication
Olopatadine ophthalmic (eye) drops is used to treat itching of the eye caused by a condition known as allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye). This medicine is also used to treat eye itching or redness caused by pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair, or dander. It works by preventing the effects of certain inflammatory substances (eg, histamine), which are produced by cells in your eyes and sometimes cause allergic reactions. Olopatadine 0.1% ophthalmic solutionandolopatadine 0.2% ophthalmic solutionare available only with your doctor's prescription. Pataday® 0.1% ophthalmic solution,Pataday® 0.2% ophthalmic solution, andPataday® 0.7% ophthalmic solutionare available without a prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of olopatadine eye drops in children. However, safety and efficacy ofolopatadine 0.1% ophthalmic solutionhave not been established in children younger than 3 years of age, and ofolopatadine 0.2% ophthalmic solution,Pataday® 0.1% ophthalmic solution,Pataday® 0.2% ophthalmic solution, orPataday® 0.7% ophthalmic solutionhave not been established in children younger than 2 years of age. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of olopatadine eye drops in the elderly. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
How to use this medication
Your eye doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before putting the drops in your eyes. Wait at least 10 minutes after using this medicine before putting them back in. Do not wear contact lenses if your eyes are red. Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way. To use the eye drops: Do not use if the liquid changes color or become cloudy. If you are also using other eye products while usingPataday®, wait at least 5 minutes between each product. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.