Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. has announced the commercial launch of its generic equivalent to Alcon’s Pataday Once Daily Extra Strength eye drops, olopatadine hydrochloride (HCl) ophthalmic solution USP, 0.7%. This is considered a “first-to-market” launch, meaning that Dr. Reddy’s is the first generic drug manufacturer to receive FDA approval and enter the commercial market for this specific name-brand drug. The FDA had previously granted approval for Glenmark Pharmaceutical’s generic version of the eye drop, but it has not yet been launched to the market.
Olopatadine is an antihistamine used to temporarily relieve itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair, and dander. The recommended dosing is one drop administered into the affected eye(s) once daily, with relief lasting 24 hours. Patients should be aware of potential warnings and precautions, including stopping use and seeking a physician if they experience eye pain, vision changes, increased redness of the eye, or worsening eye itching.
The generic eye drop will be available in a 2.5 mL bottle, but details on where it can be purchased are not yet available. Patients can check the manufacturer’s website for more information. It’s worth noting that olopatadine has had several generic approvals and launches in the past few years, including for its 0.2% and 0.7% concentrations.
The name-brand version of the formulation, Alcon’s Extra Strength Pataday, was originally approved by the FDA in 2020 as an over-the-counter (OTC) eye drop alternative to the prescription-based Pazeo. It is indicated for topical administration as an antihistamine to temporarily relieve itchy eyes due to various allergens.
In terms of usage, patients should remove contact lenses prior to administering the drops and wait 10 minutes before reinserting them. They should also space out the administration of other ophthalmic products by at least 5 minutes. The drops should not be used if the solution changes color or appears cloudy, if a patient is sensitive to any of the ingredients, or to treat contact lens-related irritation. Patients with red eyes should not wear contact lenses while using the drops. Overall, Dr. Reddy’s generic launch provides an alternative option for patients seeking relief from itchy eyes due to allergies.