Relestat eye drops

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > R



How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient epinastine hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. It works by preventing the actions of histamine. Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defence mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, eg flower pollen), the mast cells stimulated by the allergen release their stores of histamine. The released histamine then binds to its receptors (H-1 receptors), causing a chain reaction that results in allergic symptoms. It causes an increase in blood flow to the area of the allergy, and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic response. All this results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction. In eye allergies, such as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, histamine causes inflammation of the eyes, making them red, itchy and watery. Epinastine eye drops work by blocking the histamine receptors in the eye. Epinastine does not prevent the actual release of histamine from mast cells, but prevents it binding to its receptors. This stops it causing inflammation and thus provides relief from the symptoms of the eye allergy.

What is it used for?

- Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Warning!

- This medicine may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied it into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.
- This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.
- Each container of this medicine should discarded four weeks after the first opening. You may find it helpful to write the date of opening on the pack. Dispose of carefully, preferably by returning to your pharmacy.
- If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.
- The preservative in these eye drops, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses you should take these out while you are administering the drops into your eye. You should not put your lenses back in until 15 minutes after administering the drops.
- When using the eye drops you should take care to not touch the dropper tip to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops.
- You should not continue treatment with this medicine for longer than eight weeks, as the manufacturer does not have experience of using it for longer than this.

Not to be used in

- Allergy to any ingredient
- Children under 12 years of age

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should be used with caution in nursing mothers, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the nursing infant. Discuss this with your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Headache
- Itching (pruritus)
- Dry mouth
- Nasal irritation
- Dislike of light (photophobia)
- Alteration in taste
- Burning sensation in the eye
- Itchiness of the eye
- Dry eyes
- Irritation of the eye
- Red eye due to excess blood supply (hyperaemia)
- Drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis)
- Discharge from the eye
- Asthma
- Blurred vision after application

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop from washing away the first. Use any eye gels or ointments last.

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use © Copyright 1998 - 2009 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved