The information on this site is intended to supplement and enhance, not replace, the advice of a physician who is familiar with your medical history. Decisions about your health should always be made ONLY after detailed conversation with your doctor.
Generic drug name:
olopatadine
(oh loe pa TA deen)
Brand name(s):
PATADAY,
PATANASE,
PATANOL,
PAZEO
GENERIC:
not available
FAMILY:
Antihistamines
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Warnings [top]
Pregnancy Warning
Olopatadine caused an increase in fetal deaths in animal studies. Use during pregnancy only for clear medical reasons. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant before you take this drug.
Breast-feeding Warning
Olopatadine was excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for adverse effects in the nursing infant, you should consult with your doctor if you are planning to nurse.
Facts About This Drug [top]
Olopatadine is an eye drop used to treat allergies that affect the eye. Olopatadine works in two ways. First, it blocks the action of the allergy-causing chemical histamine, and is therefore classified as an antihistamine. Also, it prevents mast cells (the body’s allergy-mediating cells) from releasing histamine.[1]
Alcon Laboratories of Fort Worth, Texas, manufacturer of Patanol, claims that its product olopatadine is superior to cromolyn (GASTROCOM), pemirolast (ALAMAST), and nedocromil...
Olopatadine is an eye drop used to treat allergies that affect the eye. Olopatadine works in two ways. First, it blocks the action of the allergy-causing chemical histamine, and is therefore classified as an antihistamine. Also, it prevents mast cells (the body’s allergy-mediating cells) from releasing histamine.[1]
Alcon Laboratories of Fort Worth, Texas, manufacturer of Patanol, claims that its product olopatadine is superior to cromolyn (GASTROCOM), pemirolast (ALAMAST), and nedocromil (ALOCRIL) in inhibiting release of histamine from mast cells.[2]
The company alleges that clinically, olopatadine provides more effective relief from itching than nedocromil[3] and ketotifen (ZADITOR).[4]
These claims have not been independently verified by the FDA and Alcon therefore cannot legally use the results of these studies in their advertising for olopatadine.
Olopatadine’s manufacturer states that 7% of users describe headache when using this drug.[1]
Before You Use This Drug [top]
Do not use if you have or have had:
Tell your doctor if you have or have had:
When You Use This Drug [top]
Tell your doctor about any other drugs you take, including aspirin, herbs, vitamins, and other nonprescription products.
How to Use This Drug [top]
Interactions with Other Drugs [top]
Evaluations of Drug Interactions 2003 lists no drugs, biologics (e.g., vaccines, therapeutic antibodies), or foods as causing “highly clinically significant” or “clinically significant” interactions when used together with the drugs in this section. We also found no interactions in the drugs’ FDA-approved professional package inserts. However, as the number of new drugs approved for marketing increases and as more experience is gained with these drugs over time, new interactions may be discovered.
Adverse Effects [top]
Call your doctor if these symptoms continue:
last reviewed January 31, 2024
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