“At Alcon, we are focused on delivering new eye care products and solutions that meet the needs of patients and consumers, including those who suffer from allergies,” said Sergio Duplan, region president, North America at Alcon. “We are proud to launch prescription-strength Pataday as a convenient, more easily accessible, over-the-counter option to relieve the itchy eyes that almost 1-in-5 Americans experience due to ocular allergies.”

The rights to the Rx-to-O-T-C switch were secured by Alcon as part of its separation from Novartis in April 2019. Alcon will market both Patanol Solution (olopatadine 0.1%) and Pataday Solution (olopatadine 0.2%)under the Pataday brand name as Pataday Twice Daily Relief and Pataday Once Daily Relief, respectively. Both strengths are said to provide long-lasting, itchy eye relief that works in minutes.

“While eye allergies impact millions of Americans, only a small percentage of those use O-T-C allergy eye drops likely due to a lack of awareness of effective options that treat the problem at the source,” said Michael Cooper, Solinsky Eye Care, Hartford, Conn. “For years, olopatadine has been my ‘go-to’ eye drop for patients struggling with itchy allergy eyes and I’m thrilled they will now be able to get the same relief over the counter whenever they need it. My hope is that more allergy sufferers will discover the benefits of Pataday and add it to their medicine cabinet this spring allergy season and beyond.”

Pataday Once Daily Relief (olopatadine 0.2%) and Pataday Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine 0.1%) are indicated for the temporary relief of itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander for ages 2 and older. Pataday Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine 0.1%) is also indicated for the temporary relief of red eyes. Since 2008, over 40 million prescriptions have been written for olopatadine, the active ingredient in Pataday.

Approximately 66 million Americans (1 in 5) suffer from ocular allergies, but only 7 million use an O-T-C allergy eye drop to relieve their symptoms. By making Pataday (0.1% and 0.2%) available over the counter, more Americans will have access to long-lasting, prescription-strength relief from the itching associated with eye allergies.

U.S. commercial availability of Pataday Once Daily Relief and Pataday Twice Daily Relief will begin March 2 in time for the start of spring allergy season, and will be available in all major drug, food and mass market retailers – more than 40,000 stores – as well as through online retailers. The launch is supported by a multimillion-dollar media plan including a national TV advertising campaign and strong online presence to reach eye allergy sufferers.