Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 11/12/2009

Question
In India, Cipla has launched a new antiallergic drug unnder IF2 which contains olopatadine hydrochloride : 5 mg. My question is whether it is similar to levocetrizine 5 mg or atarax 25 mg for the treatment of allergy ? Thanx  

Answer
Hi Harish,
There is a lot of difference between the three drugs.
Atarax is a highly sedating antihistamine and a very old agent.
Levocetirzine is a newer compound virtually free from side effect of sedation.
Olopatadine is both an antihistamine and a ast cell stabilizer, which makes it more suitable for the treatment of allergies. I would choose olopatadine over the earlier two drugs.
Ravi Ghooi