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Topical antihistamine / mast cell stabiliser (allergic conjunctivitis) Pregnancy: Use with caution — limited data; avoid if possible, particularly in first trimester.

Olopatadine 0.1% Eye Drops (Opatanol)

Brand names: Opatanol

Adult dose

Dose: 1 drop in each affected eye twice daily (morning and evening)
Route: Ophthalmic
Frequency: Twice daily (approximately 6–8 hours apart)
Max: 1 drop per eye twice daily
Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis. Dual action: H1-receptor antagonist and mast cell stabiliser. Start before the allergy season if known. Remove contact lenses before instillation; reinsert after 15 minutes. Treatment up to 4 months.

Paediatric dose

Route: Ophthalmic
Frequency: Twice daily
Max: 1 drop per eye twice daily
Licensed from age 3 years. Same dosing as adults. Olopatadine 0.2% (Opatanol 0.2%) available for once-daily dosing — improves compliance.

Dose adjustments

Renal

No dose adjustment required.

Hepatic

No dose adjustment required.

Clinical pearls

  • Combined antihistamine + mast cell stabiliser — superior to either single-action drop for allergic conjunctivitis
  • 0.2% formulation (once daily) improves adherence for chronic allergic conjunctivitis
  • Sodium cromoglicate (2%) is alternative mast cell stabiliser — less effective but older and well-established
  • Ketotifen (Zaditen) eye drops are an alternative dual-action agent available OTC
  • Contact lens wearers: instil drops at least 15 min before inserting lenses (preservative benzalkonium chloride)

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to olopatadine

Side effects

  • Transient stinging and burning on instillation
  • Headache
  • Dry eye sensation
  • Blurred vision (transient)
  • Nasopharyngitis
  • Systemic antihistamine effects (rare with topical)

Interactions

  • No clinically significant interactions at topical ophthalmic doses

Monitoring

  • Symptom control at 2–4 weeks

Reference: BNFc; BNF; Opatanol SPC; BSACI Allergic Conjunctivitis Guidelines. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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