Two medicines, side by side
Olopatadine vs cromolyn
Olopatadine and cromolyn are both labeled for allergies. Drugs@FDA records approvals of olopatadine since 1996 and of cromolyn since 1982. Pharmacies paid $2.96 per mL (Olopatadine HCl 0.2% eye drop) and $0.349 per mL (Cromolyn 100 mg/5 mL oral conc) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the olopatadine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026); the cromolyn FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 20, 2025).
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
Highlights of the cromolyn record
Cromolyn (Gastrocrom) · label of February 20, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsCromolyn Sodium Ophthalmic Solution USP, 4% is indicated in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, and vernal keratitis.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 28, 1982
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.349 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- Listed; available
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Olopatadine label of January 20, 2026, Cromolyn label of February 20, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do olopatadine and cromolyn differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class mast cell stabilizers.
Generics: olopatadine since 2014; cromolyn since 1994 (Drugs@FDA).
| Olopatadine | Cromolyn | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Allergies | Asthma, Allergies |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist, Histamine-1 Receptor Inhibitor, Mast Cell Stabilizer | Mast Cell Stabilizer |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 18, 1996 | May 28, 1982 |
| First generic approved | October 8, 2014 | April 26, 1994 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 10 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $2.96 per mL (Olopatadine HCl 0.2% eye drop) | $0.349 per mL (Cromolyn 100 mg/5 mL oral conc) |
| 12-month price change | -20% | n/a |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | Listed; available |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,480 | 3,585 |
| 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 olopatadine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions