FDA Approves Alcon’s Pataday® as Latest Rx to OTC Switch in Allergy Market

Alcon announces it has received FDA approval to sell two eye-allergy itch-relief drops, olopatadine 0.2% and 0.1%, over the counter (OTC) in the U.S.

The solutions will be on the shelves in time for spring allergy season branded as PATADAY Once Daily Relief (formerly PATADAY, 0.2%) and PATADAY Twice Daily Relief (formerly PATANOL, 0.1%). PATADAY Once Daily Relief will come to store shelves as the first and only once-daily eye-itch allergy-relief drop to be available without a prescription in U.S.  

This announcement is important for the 1 in 5 Americans (~66 million) with eye allergies who will now have access to the #1 doctor-prescribed eye-allergy itch-relief ingredient. In addition, eye care professionals can now send patients to their local retailer for prescription-strength relief they know and trust.  

Alcon’s release can be found here and the FDA release can also be found here.