Generic Name: Olopatadine Ophthalmic
Indications: Prescription antihistamine for the treatment of eye-related allergy symptoms.
FDA Drug Category: C
Summary Recommendations: Patanol is prescribed for patients suffering eye symptoms, including itching, redness and watering, associated with allergies. The medication is dropped directly on the eye – it is not taken orally. Patanol can be used by patients who wear contact lenses, but contact lenses must be removed before using the medication. Wait at least 10 minutes before replacing contact lenses on the eye. According to the FDA, risks to pregnant women using Patanol have not been ruled out.
General Precautions: Patanol is an allergy medication prescribed to combat eye-related symptoms of year-round or seasonal allergies. Patients should use the medication as prescribed. Overdose of the medication is not associated with life-threatening side effects.
While there are no specific prescription or over-the-counter medications known to interact with Patanol, it is best to tell your allergist or prescribing physician about any and all medications you are currently taking and any changes to medications (addition of new medications, changes to dosage, etc.).
It is extremely important to avoid physical contact between hands and the Patanol dropper tip. It is also important to avoid touching the surface of the eye with the dropper tip. Contaminating the dropper may increase risk of eye infection. If you notice particles or discoloration of the Patanol, contact your prescribing physician for a new prescription.
Common side effects reported by patients using Patanol include headache, puffy eyelids and blurred vision. You may feel like there is something in your eye after using the medication. If you experience side effects while using Patanol, report the side effects to your physician.
Effects While Trying to Conceive: No clinical studies have been completed on the impact of Patanol on human fertility. Animal studies reported decreased fertility at doses more than 60,000 times that prescribed to humans.
Effects on Pregnancy: Patanol has been placed in the FDA drug category C, because potential risks to pregnant women and the fetus have not been ruled out. No significant clinical studies have been completed on humans, but animal studies of more than 60,000 times the human dose resulted in fetolethality. Fetolethality is a medical term for fetal death. Though the dose given to animal test subjects was extremely high, the FDA believes there is reason for caution.
Safe During Breastfeeding: A very small amount of Patanol is absorbed, thus the amount of the medication in breast milk is minimal. There have been no reported side effects in infants breastfeeding from mothers using Patanol.