Precautions and Warnings With Azelastine Ophthalmic Solution 

What Should  I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Azelastine Ophthalmic Solution? 

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking azelastine ophthalmic solution (Optivar®) if you: 

• Have any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives 
• Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant 
• Are breastfeeding. 

Make sure to  tell your healthcare provider about any other medications  you are taking, including  prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
  
Specific Azelastine Ophthalmic Solution Precautions and Warnings 

Some warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking this medication include the following: 

• This medication is only for use as an eye drop. It should not be taken by mouth or by injection. 

• In order  to prevent contamination of the drops, do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface, including the surface of the eye. 

• Azelastine ophthalmic solution comes in single-use containers  or in a multi-use bottle. Discard the single-use container immediately after use (do not save any remaining solution for later). 

• If you wear contact lenses, you must remove them to use the drops. In order to prevent the lens from absorbing the medication, make sure to wait 10 minutes after using the drops before reinserting the lens. Do  not wear your contact lenses if your eye is still red. 

• Azelastine ophthalmic solution is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it might be unsafe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not currently known (see Optivar and Pregnancy). 

• It is unknown if azelastine ophthalmic solution passes through breast milk. Therefore, if  you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, discuss this with  your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Optivar and Breastfeeding). 

 
Who Should Not Take Azelastine Ophthalmic Solution? 

You  should not take azelastine ophthalmic solution  if you are allergic to azelastine ophthalmic solution, azelastine hydrochloride, or any of the inactive components used to make azelastine ophthalmic solution. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist has  a list of the inactive ingredients. 
 
Final Thoughts 

There are a number of situations in which azelastine ophthalmic solution should not be taken,  as well as several precautions and warnings people should be aware of before starting the medication.  However, it is possible that not all of  the warnings or precautions were discussed in this article. Therefore, talk with  your healthcare provider about the specific ones that may  apply to you. 

Notes: DrJMinor

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EditText of this page (last edited December 12, 2009)