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Pataday
Pataday is a medication used for treating itchy eyes due to allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies). It is available by prescription only and comes in the form of an eyedrop that is applied to each affected eye once a day. As an antihistamine, this drug works by blocking H1 receptors and decreasing the release of histamine from cells in the body.
Pataday™ (olopatadine ophthalmic solution) is a prescription eyedrop used for the treatment of itchy eyes due to eye allergies (known medically as allergic conjunctivitis). The medication can successfully treat eye allergies with just one dose per day.
(Click Pataday Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Pataday is manufactured by Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
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). In addition to blocking histamine receptors, Pataday seems to decrease the release of histamine from cells in the body. Since the symptoms of allergic reactions are partly caused by histamine, Pataday can help prevent or relieve allergy symptoms.
General considerations to keep in mind when taking Pataday include the following:
- This medication comes in the form of an eyedrop. It is used in each eye just once a day.
- It does not matter what time of day you use Pataday, but it is best to take it at the same time each day.
- If you wear contact lenses, you must remove them to use the drops. In order to prevent the lens from absorbing some of the ingredients in the medication, be sure to wait at least 10 minutes after using Pataday before reinserting the lens. Do not wear your contact lenses if your eye is still red.
- In order to prevent contamination of the drops, do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface, including the surface of the eye.
- For Pataday to work properly, it must be taken as directed.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD