Olopatadine
Olopatadine
Chemical compound
Olopatadine, sold under the brand name Patanol among others, is an antihistamine medication used to decrease the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).[2] It is used as eye drops or as a nasal spray.[2] The eye drops generally result in an improvement within half an hour.[2]
Common side effects include headache, sore throat, eye discomfort, or changes in perception of taste.[3][2] More significant side effects may include sleepiness.[2] It is unclear if use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is safe.[4] It is an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer.[5][2]
Olopatadine was patented in 1986 and came into medical use in 1997.[6] It is available as a generic medication.[2] In 2021, it was the 263rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.[7][8]