This sheet is about exposure to olopatadine in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on available research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.
What is olopatadine?
Olopatadine is an antihistamine medication that has been used to treat some of the symptoms of allergies, like itchy eyes. It is sold as eye drops (under the brand names Pataday®, Patanol®, and Pazeo®) and nasal spray (under the brand name Patanase®). Olopatadine is also found in combination with mometasone furoate to treat seasonal allergies (Ryaltris®).
In general, eye drops and nasal sprays result in lower medication exposure for the pregnancy than oral (swallowed) medications.
Sometimes when women find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.
I take olopatadine. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?
Studies have not been done to see if olopatadine can make it harder to get pregnant.
Does taking olopatadine increase the chance of miscarriage?
Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done in humans to see if olopatadine can increase the chance of miscarriage.
Does taking olopatadine increase the chance of birth defects?
Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like olopatadine, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Studies have not been done in humans to see if olopatadine can increase the chance of birth defects.
Does taking olopatadine in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?
Studies have not been done in humans to see if olopatadine can increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).
Does taking olopatadine in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?
Studies have not been done to see if olopatadine can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child.
Breastfeeding while taking olopatadine:
Olopatadine has not been well-studied for use while breastfeeding. It is not known if olopatadine passes into breast milk or what effects, if any, olopatadine might have on an infant who is breastfeeding. In general, eye drops and nasal sprays are not expected to get into breast milk in high amounts because they do not typically reach the blood stream. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.
If a man takes olopatadine, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?
Studies have not been done to see if olopatadine could affect a man’s fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.
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