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What is the most important information I should know about
olopatadine ophthalmic?
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Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or
hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could
cause an infection in your eye. |
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Apply light pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your
nose) after each drop to prevent the fluid from draining down your tear
duct. |
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What is olopatadine ophthalmic?
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Olopatadine is an antihistamine. It inhibits the release of
histamine in the body (which causes allergic symptoms) after exposure to
an allergen. |
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Olopatadine ophthalmic is used to treat ocular (eye) symptoms of
allergic conditions, such as inflammation, itching, watering, and
burning. |
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Olopatadine ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than
those listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
olopatadine ophthalmic?
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Do not use olopatadine ophthalmic if you have a bacterial, viral, or
fungal infection in your eye unless you are also receiving proper
anti-infective treatment. |
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Olopatadine ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This
means that it is not known whether olopatadine ophthalmic will harm an
unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant. |
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It is not known whether olopatadine passes into breast milk. Do not
use olopatadine ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you
are breast-feeding a baby. |
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Olopatadine is not approved by the FDA for use by children younger
than 3 years of age. |
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How should I use olopatadine ophthalmic?
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Use olopatadine eyedrops exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
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Wash your hands before and after using your eyedrops. |
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Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid.
Position the dropper above your eye. Look up and away from the dropper.
Squeeze out a drop and close your eye. Apply gentle pressure to the
inside corner of your eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to prevent
the liquid from draining down your tear duct. If you are using more than
one drop in the same eye, repeat the process with about 5 minutes
between drops. |
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Olopatadine ophthalmic is usually applied twice a day with 6 to 8
hours between doses. Follow your doctor's instructions. |
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Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or
hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could
cause an infection in your eye. |
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Do not use any eyedrop that is discolored or has particles in it. |
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Store olopatadine ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture
and heat. Keep the bottle properly capped. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose
and apply the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of
this medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do
suspect an overdose, call an emergency room or poison control left near
you. If the drops have been ingested (taken by mouth), drink plenty of
fluid and call an emergency left for advice. |
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What should I avoid while using olopatadine ophthalmic?
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Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or
hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could
cause an infection in your eye. |
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Olopatadine ophthalmic contains a preservative (benzalkonium
chloride), so do not wear contact lenses while applying this medication.
Contact lenses can be inserted about 15 minutes after a dose. |
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Avoid other eyedrops unless your doctor approves. |
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What are the possible side effects of olopatadine ophthalmic?
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Serious side effects from olopatadine ophthalmic are not likely to
occur. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your
lips, tongue, or face; or hives). |
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Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
use olopatadine ophthalmic and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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burning, stinging, irritation, itching, redness, or dryness of the
eyes; |
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a stuffy or runny nose; |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect olopatadine ophthalmic?
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Avoid other eye medications unless they are approved by your doctor. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
olopatadine ophthalmic. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking
any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about olopatadine
ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.07. Revision date: 9/
1/ 04. |
