Optivar Side Effects

Optivar, otherwise known as azelastine ophthalmic, is an anti-histamine used in the treatment of allergies which are caused by hay fever. According to the medical experts at Drugs.com, it works by blocking the naturally-made histamines in your body, thus relieving the symptoms which accompany hay fever. Although the possible side effects are few, they do exist and you should be aware of them before using this medication.

Common Side Effects

According to the medical experts at eMedTV.com, the most common side effects associated with Optivar include a bitter taste in your mouth from the drops, temporary burning or stinging in your eyes, inflammation of your eyes, sore throat and fatigue. You may also suffer from flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, experience a runny nose or have blurred vision.

Serious Side Effects

Report these to your doctor immediately, as you may need to discontinue using Optivar. These side effects include the onset of asthma, severe burning or stinging of your eyes, severe eye pain and problems breathing.

Signs of an Allergic Reaction

The experts at Drugs.com state that you need to seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following: swelling of your face, throat or lips, difficulty breathing, develop hives or an unexplainable rash appears. These are all indications that you may be allergic to Optivar.