Pataday® Eye Drops for Allergic Itch Relief

What Pataday® Is and How It Works

Pataday eye drops contain olopatadine, an antihistamine eye drop used for allergic conjunctivitis. It helps relieve itchy, red, watery eyes caused by allergens like pollen, pet dander, and grass. Pataday eye drops block histamine at H1 receptors and stabilize mast cells, so they reduce itching quickly and help prevent repeat symptoms through the day.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, and prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, as well as OTC health products, with online ordering and customer-service chat during posted hours.

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Formulations include Pataday Once Daily Relief (olopatadine 0.2%), Pataday Extra Strength (olopatadine 0.7%), and Pataday Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine 0.1%). All are ophthalmic solutions used topically in the eye. Once-daily and extra-strength options suit people who prefer simple dosing. Twice-daily relief suits those needing coverage morning and evening.

Pataday is available over the counter in many regions. It treats seasonal and perennial eye allergy symptoms and is not an antibiotic or steroid. It is not intended to treat infectious conjunctivitis (“pink eye”).

Dosage and Usage

• Pataday Once Daily Relief (0.2%): instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once daily.
• Pataday Extra Strength (0.7%): instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once daily.
• Pataday Twice Daily Relief (0.1%): instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, 6–8 hours apart.
• Remove soft contact lenses before use; wait at least 10 minutes before reinserting.
• Wash hands. Shake if directed. Tilt head back, pull down lower eyelid, and instill one drop without touching the tip to the eye or skin.
• Close eye gently for 1–2 minutes. Press the inner corner of the eye lightly to limit drainage.
• If using other eye products, space doses by at least 5–10 minutes. Use gels/ointments last.
• Missed dose: use when remembered, then continue the regular schedule. Do not double up.
• Do not use if the solution changes color, turns cloudy, or the seal is broken.

• Storage: keep at 15–25 °C (59–77 °F). Do not freeze. Protect from heat and light.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed and upright. Avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface.
• Travel: carry in your hand luggage. Keep away from direct sun and hot cars.
• Avoid contamination. Do not share your bottle with others.
• Observe the printed expiry date. Discard if expired.

Benefits and Savings

Pataday provides fast eye allergy itch relief and ongoing control. Many people feel less itching within minutes, with redness and tearing improving soon after. Once-daily dosing is convenient, and Pataday Extra Strength can help when symptoms are intense. The twice-daily option offers flexible coverage for morning and evening exposures.

Canadian pharmacy pricing can offer meaningful savings. Compared with typical US prices, you can often save 60–80% when you buy through a licensed Canadian source. We also carry the generic of Pataday (olopatadine) where available, which may lower your Pataday cost further.

Consider a multi-month supply. Buying more than one bottle can reduce the per-month Pataday price, and our optional reorder reminders help you avoid running out during allergy season.

For promotions, see our pataday coupon page for current deals and ways to save.

Side Effects and Safety

• Temporary burning or stinging after instillation
• Transient blurred vision
• Dry eye or mild eye discomfort
• Headache
• Abnormal taste
• Eye redness or irritation
• Eyelid swelling (typically mild)

Serious reactions are rare. Stop use and seek care if you have signs of an allergic reaction, severe eye pain, vision changes, or persistent redness or swelling. Do not use Pataday to treat eye infections. Contact lens wearers should remove lenses before dosing; benzalkonium chloride preservative can discolor soft lenses. Children should use under adult supervision.

Onset Time

Many users notice less itching within minutes of the first dose. Redness and watering often ease within 15–30 minutes. With daily use, symptoms typically stay controlled through the day. During peak pollen days, you may still need your regular dose time to maintain relief. If your allergies are persistent, full stabilization may take several days of continued use.

Compare With Alternatives

Ketotifen eye drops (such as Zaditor or Alaway) are over-the-counter antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizers used twice daily. They can be a suitable alternative if Pataday does not fit your schedule or budget. Some people prefer Pataday’s once-daily dosing or its extra strength option.

Azelastine ophthalmic (Optivar) is a prescription antihistamine eye drop used twice daily. It may help in more stubborn cases but can cause more taste disturbance for some users.

If your main problem is chronic dry eye rather than allergy, a prescription like Restasis® (cyclosporine) targets tear production and inflammation instead of histamine. For systemic allergy symptoms, an oral antihistamine such as Aerius® (desloratadine) can complement topical eye therapy.

Combination Therapy

• Combine Pataday with preservative-free artificial tears as needed for comfort; separate by 5–10 minutes.
• Oral antihistamines (e.g., desloratadine) can help nasal and skin symptoms while Pataday targets the eyes.
• Short-term decongestant eye drops may reduce redness; avoid long-term daily use to prevent rebound.
• If using multiple eye drops, confirm the order and spacing with a healthcare professional.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Pataday is suitable for adults and many children with allergic conjunctivitis. Age approvals vary by strength; many formulations are labeled for use in children as young as 2–3 years. People who wear contact lenses can use Pataday, but only after removing lenses and waiting at least 10 minutes before reinsertion.

Do not use Pataday for bacterial or viral conjunctivitis (“pink eye”). Seek medical care for thick discharge, significant pain, light sensitivity, or if symptoms do not improve. People with severe dry eye, recent eye surgery, or specific eye diseases should ask a healthcare professional before use. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, professional guidance is recommended.

To lower Pataday cost, compare brand and olopatadine generic options when available. Choose once-daily or twice-daily formulations based on symptom pattern and schedule. Ordering a multi-bottle supply during allergy season can reduce your monthly spend. You can turn on reorder reminders at checkout so you remember to restock before peak pollen periods.

Authoritative Sources

Pataday official site (Alcon)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: olopatadine

FDA Drugs@FDA: NDA 021487 (olopatadine 0.2%)

Order Pataday® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, complete checkout, and we ship with prompt, express handling.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow the product label and your prescriber’s guidance.