What Is Patanol Used For?
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 that covers the whites of the eyes and the inner eyelids). Symptoms may include:
- A red or pink eye
- Itchy eyes
- Burning or stinging of the eyes
- Watery eyes
- Puffy eyes.
Combined with strategies to minimize a person's contact with allergens, treatment can make life bearable for even the worst allergy sufferer. Treatment for allergies often includes eyedrops such as Patanol. Unlike over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops, you can use Patanol long-term without the risk of actually making the redness and swelling worse after you stop the medication.
Patanol 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). Because allergic reactions are partly caused by the release of histamine from certain cells in the body, Patanol can help relieve or prevent allergy symptoms.
In addition to blocking histamine receptors, Patanol seems to decrease the release of histamine from the cells in the body. This may also help prevent or relieve the symptoms of eye allergies.
