Opatanol eye drops

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > O



How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient olopatadine hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. It works by preventing the actions of histamine. Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defence mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, eg flower pollen), the mast cells stimulated by the allergen release their stores of histamine. The released histamine then binds to its receptors (H-1 receptors), causing a chain reaction that results in allergic symptoms. It causes an increase in blood flow to the area of the allergy, and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic response. All this results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction. In eye allergies, such as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, eg caused by flower pollen or grasses, histamine causes inflammation of the eyes, making them red, itchy and watery. Olopatadine eye drops work by blocking the histamine receptors in the eyes. This stops it causing inflammation and thus provides relief from the symptoms of the eye allergy. Olopatadine may also work by preventing the release of other inflammatory chemicals from mast cells in the eye.

What is it used for?

- Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Warning!

- This medicine may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied it into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.
- This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.
- Each container of this medicine should discarded four weeks after the first opening. You may find it helpful to write the date of opening on the pack. Dispose of carefully, preferably by returning to your pharmacy.
- This medicine is not recommended for children under three years of age.
- If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.
- These eye drops contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. If you wear soft contact lenses, you should remove them before putting in these eye drops. You can put the contact lenses back in 15 minutes after using the drops.
- When using the eye drops you should take care to not touch the dropper tip to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops.

Use with caution in

- Disorders of the back of the eye (cornea)
- Dry eyes

Not to be used in

- Allergy to any ingredient

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, therefore it is not recommended for use during breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Dislike of light (photophobia)
- Dizziness
- Itchiness of the eye
- Dry eyes
- Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)
- Dry nose
- Inflammation of the surface of the eye (keratitis)
- Red eye due to excess blood supply (hyperaemia)
- Sensation of something in the eye
- Discharge from the eye
- Fluid retention and swelling of the eyelid
- Eye discomfort

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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