Patanase

Patanase is a medication licensed for the treatment of nasal symptoms caused by seasonal allergies, including runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and nasal itching. It contains an antihistamine that works by preventing histamine from binding to histamine receptors. Patanase comes in nasal spray form and is generally used twice daily. Potential side effects include nosebleeds, throat pain, and bitter taste.

 

What Is Patanase?

Patanase® (olopatadine nasal spray) is a prescription medication approved to treat sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and nasal itching (known medically as rhinitis) caused by seasonal allergies in adults and children ages 12 years and older.
 
(Click Patanase Uses for more information on what it is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Patanase is made by Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
 

How Does Patanase Work?

Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance -- one that does not bother most people. This reaction is partly caused by the release of histamine from certain cells, known as mast cells. Patanase is an antihistamine nasal spray that works by preventing histamine from binding to histamine receptors. Since histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of allergies, blocking histamine can be very helpful.
 

Patanase Effects

Patanase has been evaluated in studies for treating nasal allergies. In these studies, the medicine helped decrease nasal allergy symptoms more than a placebo nasal spray (a spray without the active ingredient). Studies have shown that, unlike most steroid nasal sprays, it begins to work very quickly, as soon as within 30 minutes.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;