Allergy and cold
Olopatadine nasal spray
Antihistamine nasal spray
Other names: Patanase
Wait
48 hours
after the first dose (the FAA's MedGuide)
Two FAA documents give different waits. Both are below.
Examiner
The examiner can issue when the document's criteria are met
FAA label
ACCEPTABLE
The FAA's two documents on olopatadine nasal spray give different waits.
Track your medicationsCompare FAA documents: olopatadine nasal sprayWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen
The FAA's documents differ. The FAA's allergy sheet gives olopatadine nasal spray a longer initial ground trial of 7 days; the FAA's MedGuide, newer, gives it 48 hours after the first dose. Both are current FAA documents and both name the medicine, so neither is set aside.
Wait
- 7-day ground trial when starting (the FAA's allergy sheet)
The FAA's MedGuide names olopatadine nasal spray (Patanase) as allowed, for allergic rhinitis, with a wait of 48 hours after the first dose and none after later doses or after the final dose, used per label directions.
The FAA's allergy sheet lists olopatadine nasal spray as acceptable allergy medication, which may be used as a single agent or in any combination product, if other certification criteria are met, and says it requires a longer initial ground trial of 7 days. Under new medications, the allergy sheet says symptoms must be controlled without adverse side effects and a mandatory 48-hour ground trial is required after initial use; for acceptable medications, it says the initial observation time is not required (see chart below); and its footnote prohibits flight/safety-related duties after initial use of a new medication until after a 48-hour ground trial and no side effects are noted. The allergy sheet also says airmen who are exhibiting symptoms, regardless of the treatment used, must not fly. The MedGuide defines allowed as acceptable for use while performing flight or safety-related duties, provided the condition is stable/aeromedically acceptable and no adverse side effects are present.
- 48 hours after the first dose: ground observation
- 7 days after starting: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: olopatadine nasal sprayThe official FAA wording: three passages, each with its document and dateOpen
New medications:
Symptoms must be controlled without adverse side effects.
Initial observation time: Mandatory 48-hour ground trial required after initial use.
Acceptable medications:
Initial observation time: Not required for acceptable medications (see chart below).
ACCEPTABLE* (Non-Sedating) Antihistamine and Allergy Medications
May be used as a single agent or in any combination product, if other certification criteria are met.
Nasal spray: Histamine-H1 receptor antagonist
azelastine (Astepro; Astelin) nasal spray
olopatadine nasal spray (requires longer initial ground trial of 7 days)
* Airmen are prohibited from flight/safety-related duties after initial use of a new medication until after a 48-hour ground trial and no side effects are noted.
Generic: olopatadine (nasal)
Brand Name: Patanase
Drug Class: Antihistamine (H1) Second Generation
Underlying Condition: Allergic rhinitis
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 48 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: Per label directions
Airmen who are exhibiting symptoms, regardless of the treatment used, must not fly.
ALLOWED: The medication is acceptable for use while performing flight or safety-related duties, provided the condition is stable/aeromedically acceptable and no adverse side effects are present.