Two medicines, side by side
Azelastine vs olopatadine
Azelastine and olopatadine are both labeled for allergies. Drugs@FDA records approvals of azelastine since 1996 and of olopatadine since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.273 per mL (Azelastine 0.1% (137 mcg) spry) and $2.96 per mL (Olopatadine HCl 0.2% eye drop) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, azelastine is a histamine-1 receptor antagonist and olopatadine a mast cell stabilizer.
Check it at the source: the azelastine FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025); the olopatadine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026).
Highlights of the azelastine record
Azelastine (Astepro) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsUses temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: nasal congestion runny nose sneezing itchy nose
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.273 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the olopatadine record
Olopatadine (Pataday) · label of January 20, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair and dander
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 18, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $2.96 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Azelastine label of December 4, 2025, Olopatadine label of January 20, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do azelastine and olopatadine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, azelastine is a histamine-1 receptor antagonist and olopatadine a mast cell stabilizer.
Generics: azelastine since 2009; olopatadine since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Azelastine | Olopatadine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Allergies | Allergies |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist | Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist, Histamine-1 Receptor Inhibitor, Mast Cell Stabilizer |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 1, 1996 | December 18, 1996 |
| First generic approved | April 30, 2009 | October 8, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 22 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.273 per mL (Azelastine 0.1% (137 mcg) spry) | $2.96 per mL (Olopatadine HCl 0.2% eye drop) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -20% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 18,108 | 8,480 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to azelastine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions