In the article, we consider the instructions for use with Opatanol eye drops.
It is an anti-allergic agent for topical use in the field of ophthalmology, used to eliminate allergic damage to the organs of vision. Its main active ingredient is olopatadine.
The medicine practically does not cause unwanted effects, its long-term use is allowed.
pharmachologic effect
According to the instructions, Opatanol eye drops have a powerful antihistamine effect and lower the vascular permeability of the conjunctiva, which eliminates the contact of the mucous membrane with mast cells that cause allergies. The active component olopatadine is concentrated to a greater extent in patients with impaired renal activity, but this does not pose a health threat, and the treatment course and dosage during therapy of such patients are unchanged.
Release Forms
As indicated by the instructions for opatanol eye drops, the drug is made in sterile plastic dropper bottles of five milliliters. The solution is transparent or slightly opalescent, it should be light yellow or colorless.
In addition to the main active substance, the preparation contains: sodium phosphate dodecahydrate, benzalkonium chloride preservative, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid solution, distilled water.
Indications for use
The drug is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of damage to the organs of vision by allergies. "Opatanol" can be prescribed for the treatment of a number of diseases, such as hay fever, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and spring keratoconjunctivitis.
Let us consider in more detail the instructions for use with Opatanol eye drops for children and adults.
Dosage and route of administration
The drug is prescribed for adults and children from the age of three. There is no sufficient experience with the use of Opatanol by patients under three years of age.
The drug is instilled 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops in each eye. The dosage in children does not differ from the adult. The treatment course with this drug can last up to four months.
Contraindications
In accordance with the instructions, Opatanol eye drops for children and adults are not recommended for use with individual patient hypersensitivity to benzalkonium chloride, olopatadine hydrochloride or other components in the composition. In addition, it cannot be used in the treatment of babies under three years of age, nursing mothers and pregnant women.
Side effects
Instructions and reviews for Opatanol eye drops confirm that within a few minutes after treatment, the drug can cause slight irritation of the organs of vision in the form of swelling or redness of the eyelids and mucous membrane, fear of light, slight burning or itching, lacrimation, and the feeling of the presence of a foreign body blurring vision.
Very rarely, systemic reactions such as nausea, headaches, weakness, dizziness, dry mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, and a change in the sense of taste can occur.
Interaction with other medicines
What else does the instruction for eye drops "Opatanol" tell us? The drug can be combined with other ophthalmic agents that are applied topically. If necessary, their simultaneous use, the time interval between instillation should be equal to at least five minutes.
If "Opatanol" is used along with glucocorticosteroids, then there is an increase in the effectiveness of the latter.
special instructions
Since benzalkonium chloride in the form of a preservative is included in the composition of this drug, its use is associated with the likelihood of ulcerative toxic keratopathy or acupuncture keratopathy. Prolonged use of drops by patients with dry eye syndrome or corneal defects needs constant monitoring by an ophthalmologist.
In addition, benzalkonium chloride is able to be absorbed by contact lenses, and therefore, before using the medicine, they must be removed and reinserted no earlier than twenty minutes after the use of Opatanol.
The period of pregnancy and lactation also requires caution. I must say that there is no sufficient experience with the use of "Opatanol" in such conditions. For this reason, the use of the drug by nursing mothers and pregnant women is allowed only when the expected therapeutic effect is higher than the potential danger to the infant or fetus.
Avoid contact of the tip of the pipette bottle with any surfaces so that the solution does not become contaminated.
If the patient has a deterioration in visual acuity after using the drug, then you cannot drive transport or engage in work that requires an increased concentration of human attention until it is restored.
This is confirmed by the instruction for eye drops "Opatanol."
Analogs
The pharmaceutical industry offers various types of drops, which are full or partial analogues of "Opatanol" in terms of their mechanism of action or composition:
- "Ifiral." Drops against allergies based on sodium cromoglycate. They are used in the treatment of the same diseases, as well as with increased stress, fatigue and dry eye syndrome, which are a consequence of external negative factors or pathologies. The drug can achieve particularly good results when used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also as a prophylactic for allergies before the expected exacerbation of reactions.
- "Allergodil." Highly effective antiallergenic drug that eliminates swelling and irritation during seasonal allergies, when the eyes turn red and watery. In addition, drops are prescribed for conjunctivitis, which develops with seasonal exacerbations of allergies. The medicine can be used for a long time, because it does not contain addictive components, and no adverse reactions appear, even if the dose is increased.
- Ketotifen. This tool in the form of an ophthalmic solution is used to eliminate the signs of allergic conjunctivitis and its treatment. It stimulates the protective systems of the organs of vision to prevent repeated irritations.
- Lecrolin. These drops work well thanks to cromolyn sodium, which soothes sore eyes and eliminates signs of irritation. The medicine shows excellent results in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis and keratitis in patients of any age category. Drops are characterized by a minimal risk of side effects, or rather, their almost complete absence.
- Kromofarm. The drug in the form of eye drops is used to treat ophthalmic pathologies. It stabilizes mast cells, releasing histamines from them, leading to allergies. The drug can be prescribed for allergies of a delayed or immediate type. Penetrating into the body, the drug is not included in the blood and does not participate in metabolic processes. It is excreted almost completely during the day (no more than 0.5 percent of the components are absorbed into the tissue, which is a safe and non-critical amount). This is stated in the instructions for use.
Opatanol Eye Drop Reviews
Patients respond positively to the drug. It copes with allergic exacerbations, eliminates pain in the eyes, loose eyelids from the inside. Doctors prescribe these drops, and on the first day of use, improvements are observed.
He copes with allergic conjunctivitis. Often, patients tried many drugs, but none of them could eliminate the pathological symptoms. "Opatanol" was a real salvation, the organs of vision began to feel comfortable. A bottle of drops relieved conjunctivitis.
Among the shortcomings of the drug, a short shelf life after opening is not longer than one month, as well as a rather high price, but it is justified by its effectiveness.
We examined the Opatanol eye drops instructions, analogs and reviews.