Optivar (Azelastine Hydrochloride)

(a zel' as teen)

Ophthlamic azelastine is used to relieve the itching of allergic pink eye. Azelastine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.

Ophthalmic azelastine comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eye. It is usually instilled in the affected eye(s) twice a day. To help you remember to use azelastine, use it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use azelastine exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.
• Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.
• While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
• Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
• Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
• While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
• Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
• Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
• Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.
• If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.
• Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
• Wash your hands to remove any medication.

Before using azelastine eye drops,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to azelastine or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using azelastine, call your doctor.
• you should know that you should not wear contact lenses if your eye(s) is/are red. If your eye is not red and you wear contact lenses, you should know that azelastine solution contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Remove your contact lenses before instilling azelastine and put them back in 10 minutes later.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Instill the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Azelastine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• eye burning or stinging
• headaches
• bitter taste
• eye pain
• blurred vision
• excessive tiredness
• sore throat

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:

• difficulty breathing

Azelastine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.