In the U.S.—

• Antihistaminic (H₁-receptor), ophthalmic
• mast cell stabilizer, ophthalmic
• antiallergic, ophthalmic

Olopatadine (oh-loe-pa-TA-deen ) ophthalmic (eye) solution is used to temporarily prevent itching of the eye caused by a condition known as allergic conjunctivitis. It works by acting on certain cells, called mast cells, to prevent them from releasing substances that cause the allergic reaction.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For olopatadine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to olopatadine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as certain preservatives.

Pregnancy—Olopatadine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have found that this medicine given in extremely high doses results in a decreased number of live births; it has not been found to cause birth defects. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether olopatadine passes into human breast milk. However, it does pass into the milk of animals with nursing young. Discuss with your doctor whether or not to breast-feed while using this medicine.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of olopatadine in children up to 3 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of olopatadine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—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. Tell your health care professional if you are taking or using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

If you wear contact lenses: Take out your contact lenses before using olopatadine eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after putting the eye drops in before you put your contact lenses back in.

To use the eye drops:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt your head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Dosing—

The dose of ophthalmic olopatadine 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 ophthalmic olopatadine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops):
  • For treatment of allergic conjunctivitis:
    • Adults and children 3 years of age and older—Use one drop in each affected eye two times a day, with each dose being at least six to eight hours apart.
    • Children up to 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your symptoms do not improve or if your condition becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

The following side effects usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Headache 
  
  

• Less common
  • Burning, dryness, itching, or stinging of the eye;  change in taste;  eye irritation or pain ;  feeling of something in the eye;  redness of eye or inside of eyelid;  runny or stuffy nose;  sore throat;  swelling of eyelid;  unusual tiredness or weakness 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.