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What does it do?

Olopatadine eye drops are used to treat allergic conditions such as hayfever that cause itchy or watery eyes.

Before you start

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you use it?

1. Wash your hands.
2. Tilt your head back a little and pull your lower eyelid down.
3. Put one drop into your eye. Do not let the bottle tip touch your eye.
4. Close your eye for a minute or two and press gently on the skin where the corner of your eye meets your nose. This helps to keep the drop in the eye.
5. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes before putting in the next drop.
6. Repeat for your other eye if you need to.

What if you forget a dose?

If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not use two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side EffectsRecommended action

Stinging when you put the drops in

Usually temporary

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

  • If you wear soft contact lenses you should take them out before you use the eye drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
  • Olopatadine eye drops expires 4 weeks after you first open it. If you have any left over after 4 weeks, take it back to your pharmacy.

This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.

Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. March 2023

For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

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About My Medicines

My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.

For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed