Olopatadine eye drops

About olopatadine eye drops

Exposure to irritants such as plant pollens, pet fur or pollution can cause the body to produce a chemical called histamine. Histamine can cause allergic symptoms such as red, itchy, and watery eyes, often referred to as hayfever.
Olopatadine eye drops relieve the eye symptoms of hayfever by blocking the action of histamine in the body.

Before using olopatadine eye drops

Before using olopatadine eye drops make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you wear soft contact lenses
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to olopatadine or any other medicine, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines
• Olopatadine eye drops are not recommended for children under 3 years old

How to use olopatadine eye drops

1. Wash your hands well before use
2. Remove the outer cap
3. Tilt the head back and pull the lower lid of the eye out to form a pocket
4. Hold the container between the thumb and middle finger of the other hand, turn the container upside down near to the eye, try not to touch the eye with the nozzle
5. Gently press on the base of the container to release one drop at a time
6. Close the eye, and keep the eye closed for a minute or two
   If you think that you have missed the eye, then insert another drop
7. Repeat in the other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes
8. Replace the outer cap on the container, trying not to touch the applicator tip with anything, including the eye or the fingers
9. Wash your hands
10. Olopatadine should be used twice daily or as directed by your doctor.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Use olopatadine drops as directed by your doctor and always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or they become worse, check with your doctor.
• If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave at least five minutes between each one.
• Do not swallow this medicine. If you or someone else has swallowed olopatadine eye drops, contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Always take the container with you if possible.
• Try to use olopatadine eye drops at regular intervals as directed by your doctor and try not to miss any doses.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses while you are being treated with olopatadine eye drops.
• If you wear hard contact lenses, remove them before using the these drops. Leave them out for at least half an hour before replacing them.
• When first put in, olopatadine eye drops may cause blurred vision.
• Make sure you can see clearly before you drive, operate machinery or do any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were unable to see properly.

Can olopatadine eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. The most common side effects of olopatadine eye drops are shown below:

Other side effects that occasionally affect the eyes are itching, redness, discharge, inflammation of the surface of the eye, dryness, swollen eye lids, feeling like there is something in the eye, dislike of bright lights.
Other side effects that occasionally affect the body are headache, tiredness, dizziness and dryness in the nose.
If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to olopatadine eye drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store olopatadine eye drops

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Discard olopatadine eye drops 4 weeks after opening.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

Important information about all medicines