Olopatadine®

What is Olopatadine?

Olopatadine is an eye drop treatment for allergic conjunctivitis. It’s an antihistamine that can reduce irritation and calm gritty, watery eyes as well as red, inflamed tissue.

It’s the generic version of Pataday, and works in the same way by relieving conjunctivitis caused by allergens. The active ingredient in the drops blocks the release of histamine, which helps to calm down an allergic response and ease symptoms.

How does Olopatadine work?

Olopatadine works by calming your body’s immune response to an allergic trigger, such as pollen or animal dander. Allergic conjunctivitis happens when histamine, a chemical produced by the immune system, is released because the body detects what it thinks it’s a harmful pathogen. When histamine floods to the exposed area – in this case the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the white of your eye – it causes inflammation and redness.

By applying Olopatadine directly to your eyes, it works at the site of allergic response by blocking histamine receptors on your eye’s surface.

What doses of Olopatadine are there?

Olopatadine comes in a single strength dose of 1mg/ml solution, in a 5ml bottle.

It’s usually recommended that you apply a single drop in your eye (or eyes) twice a day, normally once in the morning and once again in the evening. Your clinician will let you know if they think you need to use Olopatadine more often than this.

How long does Olopatadine take to work?

Olopatadine can start to work around 15 minutes after you use the drops, and the effects should last for 24 hours. In one study that compared it with loratadine, another antihistamine, Olopatadine was shown to be more effective at reducing eye itchiness.¹

How to take Olopatadine

Wash your hands before each application of Olopatadine.

To use the drops:

• tilt your head back;
• using a clean finger, pull your eyelid down;
• create a ‘pocket’ between your eyelid and eye;
• bring the dropper tip close to your eye;
• gently press the bottom of the bottle without squeezing and:
• release one drop into your eye.

Repeat this same process if you’re using the drops in both eyes. Put the cap back on the bottle each time you use Olopatadine.