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| Pronunciation |
|
 (oh
LOP ah tah
deen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Patanol® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antihistamine; Ophthalmic Agent, Miscellaneous |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used for relief of symptoms of allergic
conjunctivitis (itchy, watery, red, irritated
eyes).
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| How does it work? |
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- Olopatadine, if taken before coming in contact with the material that
causes the allergy, blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing/preventing the
eye's reaction to the allergen.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- For the eye only.
- Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be
replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
- Tilt head back and drop medicine into your eye. Avoid touching dropper
to your eye, lid, or other skin.
- With eyes closed, apply pressure to the inside corner of your eye. Do
this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in the eye.
- Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes
before giving the next.
- This medicine is most effective if started before contact with the
allergen. Use at least 1-3 hours
before.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Instill a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not instill a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- If eyes red, do not wear soft contact lenses.
- Do not use to treat contact lens-related irritation.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Headache.
- Burning or stinging of
eye.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check effectiveness of medicine in preventing or treating
symptoms.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store at room temperature.
- Keep bottle tightly closed when not in
use.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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