Home Drug Guide Olopatadine Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Olopatadine Hydrochloride

Brand Names Pataday Twice Daily Relief, Pataday Once Daily Relief, Patanase

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiallergic, Mast Cell Stabilizer

Pharmacological: Selective H1 Antihistamine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Allergic conjunctivitis (Pataday and Patanase)

Mechanism of Action

Olopatadine blocks histamine H1 receptors and stabilizes mast cells, preventing the release of inflammatory mediators associated with allergic reactions.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Pataday: One drop in affected eye(s) twice daily. Patanase: One spray in each nostril once daily.

Pediatric: Safety and efficacy established in children 3 years and older for Pataday; 6 years and older for Patanase.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustment required; use with caution in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Renal Impairment: No specific adjustments needed.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustments needed.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid absorption via conjunctival and nasal mucosa.

Distribution: Widely distributed; ocular tissues, nasal mucosa.

Metabolism: Minimal hepatic metabolism; primarily excreted unchanged.

Excretion: Renal excretion of unchanged drug.

Half Life: Approximately 5 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to olopatadine or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with ophthalmic infections, or nasal infections.
  • Not studied in pregnant or lactating women; use only if benefits outweigh risks.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Ocular irritation, burning, or pruritus (Common)
  • Untoward taste in the mouth (Patanase) (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)
  • Vision changes or eye pain (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • None commonly reported, but caution with other ophthalmic or nasal medications.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No significant interactions.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Lack of data; use caution.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for relief of allergy symptoms and ocular or nasal side effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection (due to ocular or nasal irritation).
  • Impaired comfort related to allergic symptoms.

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, instruct patient on proper instillation technique.

Evaluation: Assess symptom relief and adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Use medication as directed.
  • Report any adverse reactions, especially ocular pain, vision changes, or signs of allergy worsening.
  • Use proper hand hygiene before instilling drops.
  • Do not touch the tip of the dropper to eye or nasal tissues.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently.

Genetic Factors: Data limited.

Lab Test Interference: No significant interference known.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Unlikely with topical use; ingestion may cause anticholinergic-like symptoms including dry mouth and confusion.

Treatment: Supportive care; seek medical attention for ingestion.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from light and moisture.

Stability: Stable until expiration date when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.