Bepotastine belongs to the class of medications called antihistamines, specifically the class known as histamine receptor antagonists. These eye drops are used to relieve itching and inflammation of the eye, caused by allergies. It works by blocking the release and action of histamine, one of the substances released in the body that cause allergy symptoms. This medication will start to work to relieve eye allergy symptoms within 10 to 15 minutes of being used.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The usual dose of this medication is 1 drop in each eye 2 times a day.

To use the eye drops:

• Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
• Remove the cap and place it in a clean location. To avoid possible contamination, keep the tip of the container away from contact with any surface.
• Tilt the head back and look towards the ceiling.
• With your index finger, gently pull the lower eyelid down and away from the eye to form a pouch.
• Apply one drop into the pouch by following the instructions on the eye drop container. Do not allow the tip of the container to touch the eye or areas around the eye.
• Gently apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye (at the bridge of the nose) for about 30 seconds (this is called nasolacrimal occlusion). This prevents the medication from dripping down through the tear duct and entering the bloodstream, which could cause you to experience some side effects.
• Repeat with the other eye, if prescribed by your physician.
• Wash your hands again to remove any medication.

Do not allow the dropper tip of the bottle to touch the eye or surrounding areas. This can contaminate the tip with common bacteria known to cause eye infections. Serious damage to the eye may result if you use eye drop solutions that have become contaminated.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Each 1 mL of sterile, aqueous ophthalmic solution contains 15 mg of bepotastine besilate (equivalent to 10.7 mg bepotastine). Nonmedicinal ingredients: monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide to adjust pH, water for injection, USP, and benzalkonium chloride 0.0005% (as preservative).

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to bepotastine or any ingredients of the medication.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• altered sense of taste
• eye irritation
• headache
• inflammation of the nose or throat

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a severe allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the mouth or throat

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Contact lenses: Bepotastine eye drops contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can build up in soft contact lenses and cause cornea irritation. Do not use this medication if you are wearing contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before instilling the drops and wait 10 minutes after using the drops before putting the lenses back in your eyes.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if bepotastine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 3 years of age.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.