Olopatadine

PATANOL (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) 0.1 % is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

Headaches have been reported at an incidence of 7%. The following adverse experiences have been reported in less than 5% of patients: Asthenia, blurred vision, burning or stinging, cold syndrome, dry eye, foreign body sensation, hyperemia, hypersensitivity, keratitis, lid edema, nausea, pharyngitis, pruritis, rhinitis, sinusitis, and taste perversion. Some of these events were similar to the underlying disease being studied.

Olopatadine is an inhibitor of the release of histamine from the mast cell and a relatively selective histamine H1-antagonist that inhibits the in vivo and in vitro type 1 immediate hypersensitivity reaction including inhibition of histamine induced effects on human conjunctival epithelial cells. Olopatadine is devoid of effects on alpha-adrenergic, dopamine and muscarinic type 1 and 2 receptors. Following topical ocular administration in man, olopatadine was shown to have low systemic exposure. Two studies in normal volunteers (totaling 24 subjects) dosed bilaterally with olopatadine 0.15% ophthalmic solution once every 12 hours for 2 weeks demonstrated plasma concentrations to be generally below the quantitation limit of the assay (<0.5 ng/mL). Samples in which olopatadine was quantifiable were typically found within 2 hours of dosing and ranged from 0.5 to 1.3 ng/mL. The half-life in plasma was approximately 3 hours, and elimination was predominantly through renal excretion. Approximately 60-70% of the dose was recovered in the urine as parent drug. Two metabolites, the mono-desmethyl and the N-oxide, were detected at low concentrations in the urine.

Results from an environmental study demonstrated that PATANOL (olopatadine) was effective in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis when dosed twice daily for up to 6 weeks. Results from conjunctival antigen challenge studies demonstrated that PATANOL (olopatadine) , when subjects were challenged with antigen both initially and up to 8 hours after dosing, was significantly more effective than its vehicle in preventing ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Olopatadine is a prescription medication that comes in an eye drop form and a nasal spray. The eye drop is used to treat ocular (eye) itching associated with eye allergies. The nasal spray is used to treat seasonal nasal allergy symptoms, such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and nasal itching.

Olopatadine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines. It works by blocking the release of histamine from certain cells in the body.

This medication comes in the form of an eye drop and a nasal spray. The eye drops are used either once or twice daily. The nasal spray is usually used twice daily.

Common side effects of olopatadine eye drops includes cold-like symptoms and pharyngitis (sore throat).

Common side effects of olopatadine nasal spray includes headache and bitter taste.

Olopatadine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Pataday

• Patanase

• Patanol

• Pazeo

Olopatadine eye drops can cause side effects including:

• headache
• blurred vision
• eye burning or stinging
• dry eyes
• swollen eye lids
• itching of the eye lids
• cold-like symptoms
• pharyngitis (sore throat)

Olopatadine nasal spray can cause side effects including:

• nosebleed
• headache
• throat pain
• bad or bitter taste
• sores in the nose
• hole in nasal septum

Tell your doctor if any side effect is bothersome or does not go away.

This is not a complete list of olopatadine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

No olopatadine drug interactions have been identified, however, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Avoid alcohol or other medications that make you sleepy while taking olopatadine nasal spray.
 

Eye Drop

The recommended dose is one drop in each affected eye one or two times per day.

Nasal Spray

The recommended dose for adults and children 12 years and older is 2 sprays per nostril per day.

The recommended dose for children 6 to 11 years of age is 1 spray per nostril twice daily.