Emadine (Ophthalmic)

Emedastine (Ophthalmic) solution is used to treat eye symptoms caused by allergic conjunctivitis. It works by blocking the effects of histamine, a substance made by certain cells in your eyes that causes the allergic reaction.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

If your symptoms do not improve or if your condition gets worse, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have only been conducted with adult patients, and there is no specific information about using ophthalmic emedastine in children younger than 3 years compared to other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way in older people as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or issues for older adults. There is no specific information comparing the use of ophthalmic emedastine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, it may be okay to use two different medicines together even if there might be an interaction. In such cases, your doctor may need to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional is aware of any of the medications listed below that you are taking. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential importance and may not include all possibilities.

Using this medicine with any of the following medications is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or the frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Amifampridine
• Bupropion
• Donepezil
• Pitolisant

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or with certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Abnormal dreams
• blurred vision or other change in vision
• eye redness, irritation, or pain
• tearing, discomfort, or other eye irritation not present before therapy or becoming worse during therapy
• weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to suggest ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Headache

Less common

• Bad taste
• burning or stinging of the eye
• dry eye
• feeling of something in the eye
• itching
• skin rash
• stuffy or runny nose

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Emadine

Pharmacologic Class: Antihistamine

Do not wear contact lenses if your eyes are red. If your eyes are not red, contact lenses should be removed before you use this medicine. Also, you should wait at least 10 minutes after using this medicine before putting the contact lenses back in.

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops): For eye allergy: Adults and children 3 years of age and older—Use one drop in the affected eye one to four times a day. Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not refrigerate. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.