What are other names for this medicine?
Type of medicine: antihistamine
Generic and brand names: azelastine hydrochloride solution
0.5%, Ophthalmic; Optivar
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine, in the form of eye drops, is used to treat
itchy eyes caused by allergic conjunctivitis.
What should my healthcare provider know before I take this
medicine?
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine.
Tell your provider if you wear contact lenses.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider
if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not
known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do
not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your
healthcare provider's approval.
How should I use it?
Wash your hands thoroughly before applying medicine to your
eyes. Tilt your head back and gently pull your lower eyelid
down to form a pouch. Hold the dropper directly above your
eye, look up, and squeeze a drop of the medicine into the
pouch. Close your eyes for a minute or two and with a
fingertip gently press on the inside corner of your eye to
keep the medicine from draining out. Do not rub your eyes.
To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip
of the dropper touch your eye or any other surface. After
use, wipe the tip with a clean tissue. Put the cap on
tightly and store the medicine away from heat and bright
light. Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored.
If you wear contact lenses:
- Wait at least 10 minutes after applying the drops before
inserting your contact lenses
- Do not wear contact lenses if your eyes are red.
- Do not use this medicine to treat contact lens related
irritation.
This medicine is for use in the eyes only. Do not take it by
mouth.
What should I watch out for?
This medicine may cause drowsiness or blurred vision for a
short time. Do not drive or do other things that require
you to see well until you know how you react to this
medicine.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some
unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very
serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts
to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have
any side effects that continue or get worse.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right
away): Increased pain, redness, or discharge in eyes;
wheezing or shortness of breath.
Other: Burning and stinging in the eyes, headache, bitter
taste in the mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness.
What products might interact with this medicine?
No drug interactions have been reported. However, do not
use any other eye drops for 20 to 30 minutes before or after
you use this medicine.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription,
nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and
vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare
providers who treat you about all the products you are
taking.
How should I store this medicine?
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container
tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and
bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not
include all side effects of this medicine or interactions
with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or
pharmacist for more information or if you have any
questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated
medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw
medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2007 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.