Pataday Uses

What Is Pataday Used For?

Pataday™ (olopatadine ophthalmic solution) is a once-daily prescription eyedrop used for treating eye allergy symptoms. In particular, it is approved for treating eye itching related to allergies. It belongs to a group of medications known as antihistamines.

 

Allergies can affect various parts of the body, and symptoms are particularly common in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Eye allergies are known medically as allergic conjunctivitis because the allergic reaction occurs in the conjunctiva (the thin layer the covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid). Symptoms of eye allergies may include:

 

Combined with strategies to minimize a person's contact with allergens, allergy treatment can make life bearable for even the worst allergy sufferer. Treatment often includes allergy eyedrops such as Pataday. Unlike over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops, you can use Pataday long-term without the risk of actually making the redness and swelling worse after you stop the medication.

 

How Does Pataday Work?

Pataday belongs to a group of allergy medications known as antihistamines. Specifically, it is an H1 receptor antagonist. This means that it blocks a specific type of histamine receptor in the body (known as H1 receptors). Since allergic reactions are partly caused by the release of histamine from certain cells in the body, Pataday can help relieve or prevent allergy symptoms.

 

In addition to blocking histamine receptors, Pataday seems to decrease the release of histamine from cells in the body. This may also help prevent or relieve the symptoms of eye allergies.