Which drug class does Patanol belong to?

Patanol belongs to the antiallergic drug class, specifically used in ophthalmic applications. It contains the active ingredient olopatadine, which works as an antihistamine to relieve symptoms associated with allergic conjunctivitis, such as itching and redness of the eyes. This classification as an antiallergic medication is essential because it reflects the drug's mechanism of action and its therapeutic use, which is to block histamine release from mast cells in response to allergens. The clarity of its use in treating eye-related allergies distinguishes it from other drug classes, such as antipsychotics, antivirals, or NSAIDs, which serve entirely different purposes in medical treatment.

The function of Patanol as an ophthalmic antiallergic medication focuses on alleviating allergy symptoms rather than treating mental health issues (which would involve antipsychotic medications), combating viral infections (the role of antiviral drugs), or providing pain relief and inflammation control (typical of NSAIDs).