Focus on Allergy Medications

Pataday
Alcon
Olopatadine 0.2% (Pataday) solution is the first and only q.d. ocular allergy eye drop. It is a potent multi-action antihistamine and mast-cell stabilizer indicated for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. New Pataday solution provides proven relief that lasts 24 hours, says Alcon.

Alcon
Phone: (800) 862-5266
www.alconinc.com

Alocril
Allergan
Nedocromil sodium ophthalmic solution 2% (Alocril) is a second-generation mast-cell stabilizer indicated for the treatment of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. It reportedly provides fast, effective and lasting control of allergy symptoms all season long. Nedocromil stops allergic reactions at their source by penetrating mast cells and halting the release of histamines and other mediators that lead to ocular itching. It provides protection for hours, even in the absence of symptoms. Patients using Alocril may experience some usually tolerable side effects, including headache, irritation, nasal congestion, ocular burning, stinging and unpleasant taste. Full prescribing information for Alocril is available at Allergans Web site.
 

Allergan
Phone: (800) 433-8871
www.allergan.com
 

Alaway and Alrex
Bausch & Lomb
Ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.025% (Alaway), recently approved by the FDA, is an eye itch relief product that contains both an antihistamine and mast-cell stabilizer to provide up to 12 hours of relief for itchy eyes due to ragweed, pollen, grass, animal hair and dander. The mast-cell stabilizer (ketotifen fumarate), stops the allergic reaction process to reduce seasonal symptoms. Alaway is bioequivalent to Zaditor, previously one of the leading prescription allergy eye drops, as it contains the same active ingredient and strength.
Loteprednol etabonate 0.2% (Alrex) is the only ester corticosteroid specifically formulated with the soothing components of glycerin and povidone to treat ocular allergies. Unlike antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizers, Alrex is the only ocular agent that addresses the signs/symptoms associated with both the early and late phase allergic inflammatory cascade, says B&L. Additionally, a long-term retrospective study of the drugs safety involving 159 patients receiving loteprednol for more than a year found no IOP spikes, induced cataracts or infections.

Bausch & Lomb
Phone: (800) 323-0000
www.bausch.com
 

ELESTAT
Inspire Pharmaceuticals
Epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution 0.05% (Elestat), manufactured by Allergan and marketed by Inspire, is an anti-allergy therapy that reduces the ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Epinastine prevents ocular allergy symptoms rapidly by blocking both the H1 and H2 receptors, stabilizing mast cells, and stopping the cascade of pro-inflammatory chemical mediators. Its fast, multi-action efficacy reduces symptoms within 3 minutes, and its long-lasting effect provides all-day relief for up to 12 hours with convenient b.i.d. dosing, says Inspire. Elestat is also soothing upon instillation with a
7 pH, similar to natural tears. Please see the Elestat ad in this magazine for important safety information.

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Phone: (919) 941-9777
www.inspirepharm.com
 

Visine-A
Johnson & Johnson
Visine-A combines an antihistamine (pheniramine maleate 0.3%) with a redness reliever (naphazoline hydrochloride 0.025%) for the temporary relief of itchy, red allergy eyes.
Visine-A was originally available as a prescription eye allergy product and has been available OTC since 1996. The product has been clinically proven effective for eye allergy relief. Visine-A is indicated for the temporary relief of itching and redness of the eye due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander.

Johnson & Johnson
Phone: (800) 223-0182
www.visine.com

ZADITOR
Novartis
Ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.025% (Zaditor) from Novartis provides fast relief of eye itch associated with pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander. When used twice daily, ketotifen provides up to 24-hour relief with b.i.d. dosing. It has a triple mechanism of action, acting as an antihistamine to prevent itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis, a mast-cell stabilizer to prevent further release of histamine, while also inhibiting eosinophils to prevent the release of mediators of the late-phase allergic reaction.

Novartis
Phone: (862) 778-8300
Web site: www.novartis.com
 

ALAMAST
Vistakon Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Pemirolast potassium ophthalmic solution 0.1% (Alamast) is a mast-cell stabilizer indicated for the prevention of eye itch due to allergic conjunctivitis. Decreased itching may be evident within a few days but may take up to 4 weeks. In a study, 99% of patients treated with Alamast did not report burning or stinging. The most commonly reported ocular adverse events were foreign-body sensation (2%), burning/stinging (1%), dry eye (1%) and ocular discomfort (1%).

Vistakon Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Phone: (904) 443-1000
www.vistakonpharmaceuticals.com