FDA Approves Ocular Allergy Itch Relief Solution

The FDA today approved Alcon’s olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution (Pazeo) 0.7% for ocular allergy itch relief.

Pazeo can be taken once daily and should be effective for 24 hours, according to a press release from Novartis, which owns Alcon.

Two studies showed that Pazeo gave significant relief of ocular itching related to allergic conjunctivitis at the 24-hour mark post-treatment compared with olopatadine 0.2%, which is known as Pataday solution.

Between 2% and 5% of patients who used the Pazeo solution reported adverse side effects, such as blurred vision, dry eye, superficial punctate keratitis, dysgeusia, and abnormal eye sensation.

Patients should wait at least 5 minutes before putting in contacts after using Pazeo.

The eye solution should be available by prescription in March 2015.

“Pazeo solution represents an important addition to our ocular allergy portfolio in the United States,” said Sabri Markabi, senior vice president of research and development for Alcon, in a press release. “Patients who experience itching due to allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies), will now be able to turn to a 1-drop daily product with efficacy data 24 hours after dosing.”