Emedastine (Ophthalmic)

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

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

If your symptoms do not get better 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. Here are some important points to think about:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction 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 done with adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of ophthalmic emedastine in children younger than 3 years old with its use in other age groups.

Geriatric

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

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines can be used together even if there might be an interaction. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When taking this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amifampridine
• Bupropion
• Donepezil
• Pitolisant

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause 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. Although not all of these side effects may happen, 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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about 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 occur 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.