Optivar

Optivar is a prescription medication used to treat allergy symptoms of the eyes. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines. It works by preventing histamine release and by blocking histamine at receptors. Histamine is a chemical of the immune system that causes allergy symptoms.

Optivar also comes in eye drop form to be applied into the affected eye(s) twice a day.

Common side effects of Optivar include burning, irritation, and stinging of the eyes. Optivar can cause temporary blurring of vision. Do not operate machinery or drive until you know Optivar will affect you. 

Optivar is a prescription medication used to treat allergy symptoms of the eyes.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Use Optivar exactly as prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription bottle carefully.

The recommended dose with Optivar (azelastine) eye drops is one drop instilled into each affected eye twice a day.

Do not use Optivar if you are allergic to any ingredient in it. 

To prevent contaminating the dropper tip and solution, care should be taken not to touch any surface, the eyelids, or surrounding areas with the dropper tip of the bottle.

Optivar can cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

Side effects of Optivar eye drops include:

• unusual taste (bitter or sweet)
• eye burning/irritation/stinging
• headache
• temporary blurring of vision
• flu-like symptoms

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that is bothersome or that does not go away. 

This is not a complete list of Optivar side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take medicines that make you drowsy including:

• medicines for anxiety
• antidepressants
• muscle relaxant medicines
• medicines for pain (narcotics)
• sleep medicines
• allergy medicines
• alcohol
• antipsychotic medicines

This is not a complete list of Optivar drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category C. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Optivar is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Azelastine eye drops:

• Azelastine eye drops should not be used to treat contact lens related irritation.
• If you wear soft contact lenses and if your eyes are not red, wait at least 10 minutes after using azelastine eye drops before re-inserting your contact lenses.

Azelastine nasal spray:

• Blow your nose first. Then while spraying the medicine, gently breathe in (inhale). To avoid experiencing a bitter taste after taking azelastine, avoid tilting your head back right after taking azelastine.

Azelastine can cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Alcohol can worsen drowsiness. Avoid alcohol use with azelastine nasal spray.