Patanol eye drops are a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies), such as intense itching, redness, and swelling. The active ingredient is olopatadine hydrochloride (0.1%), which acts as both an antihistamine and a mast cell stabilizer to rapidly block the inflammatory substances that cause allergic reactions.
Proper Usage & Dosage
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Standard Dosage: The typical dose for adults and children aged 3 years and older is 1 drop in each affected eye twice daily, spaced roughly 6 to 8 hours apart.
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Application Technique: Wash your hands before use. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid to form a pocket, and squeeze one drop in. Close your eye and press gently on the inner corner (near the nose) for 1 to 2 minutes to keep the medicine from draining into your throat.
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Spacing Medications: If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes between medications. Always apply eye drops before eye ointments.
Important Precautions
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Contact Lens Safety: Patanol contains benzalkonium chloride, a preservative that can permanently stain or discolor soft contact lenses and cause irritation. Remove contact lenses before applying the drops, and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them. Do not wear lenses at all if your eyes are actively red or irritated.
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Contamination Risk: Do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface, as a contaminated dropper can lead to serious eye infections.
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Product Lifespan: Discard the bottle 4 weeks (28 days) after opening, even if there is remaining solution. Do not use if the liquid becomes cloudy or changes color.
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Driving and Machinery: These drops can cause temporary blurred vision right after application. Wait until your vision clears entirely before driving or operating machinery.
Side Effects
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Common: Mild, temporary stinging or burning in the eye, dry eyes, blurred vision, or a mild headache.
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Uncommon/Rare: Nasal dryness, a bitter taste in the mouth (dysgeusia), or hypersensitivity reactions. Stop using the drops and seek medical attention if you experience severe eye pain, changes in vision, or signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, or tongue).
