Pataday Allergy Drops now OTC
Good news for eye allergy sufferers and just in time for those who suffer from seasonal spring allergies. Alcon’s Pataday® Once Daily Relief (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.2%) and Pataday® Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.1%) have been approved by the FDA for sale over the counter (OTC).
Pataday Over-the-Counter
The eye drops will be available over the counter in more than 40,000 stores, all major drug, food, and retail stores as well as online retailers.
The active ingredient in Pataday was the number 1 doctor-prescribed eye allergy itch relief medication. Since 2008 more than 40 million prescriptions have been written for olopatadine, the active ingredient in Pataday.
Alcon acquired the rights to offer Pataday as an over-the-counter drug as part of their separation from Novartis.
Eye allergies occur when the eye is exposed to airborne substances that your immune system overreacts to such as pollen, dander shed by pets, mold, smoke, and dust.
Multi-Action for Eye Allergies
Pataday is a multi-action allergy eye drop, meaning that it combines more than one type of medication. Pataday has antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and mast cell stabilizing effects. The antihistamine binds to and blocks histamine receptors and thereby reduces the symptoms caused by allergic histamine release such as red, itchy, watery eyes. The anti-inflammatory reduces swelling. The mast cell stabilizer binds with mast cells and temporarily prevents further release of histamine.
Make sure to follow the instructions for use:
- Do not use Pataday while wearing contact lenses. The preservative in the drops can be absorbed by soft contact lenses so wait at least 10 minutes after using Pataday before putting contacts in.
- Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface or your hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause a serious eye infection.
- Stop using Pataday and call your eye doctor if you have severe redness, swelling, burning, stinging, drainage, crusting, or other irritation when using the eye drops.