What Is Bepotastine?

Bepotastine is an allergy medication, available for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and irritation in the eyes. It can be used in the management of a wide variety of conditions related to allergies, and alternatives are available for patients who experience unpleasant side effects or do not find the medication effective. The drug is used often in the treatment of seasonal allergy symptoms, though it does not represent a cure.

This drug acts as an antihistamine to block the release of certain compounds by the mast cells in the immune system. Allergy symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching are often effectively mediated by these types of drugs. Medications that block these compounds can relieve allergy symptoms and make patients feel more comfortable. The drugs can be taken before a potential exposure to prevent an allergic reaction, or in the wake of an allergy attack when a patient needs relief to keep the symptoms as minimal as possible.

Eye drops containing this medication are available for ocular use in patients with allergies that have an effect on the eyes. Before using bepotastine eyedrops, patients need to wash their hands carefully, to avoid introducing contaminants into their eyes when they apply the drops. The medication should soothe itching and irritation quickly. Nasal sprays and tablets treat allergic rhinitis. Sprays can act more quickly, by delivering the medication directly to the site of the irritation.

Patients using bepotastine may notice side effects that may include headaches, sore throat, and irritation. Sometimes the medication increases the intensity of allergies and may cause extreme discomfort, in which case patients should stop using it immediately and consult a doctor. The drug is a non-drowsy formulation and should not typically cause fatigue or sleepiness. This differs from older antihistamine medications, which usually made patients tired and created safety problems for people who needed allergy control at work and in other environments where they needed to remain alert.

The risks of bepotastine for pregnant and breastfeeding patients are not fully known. It is difficult to safely test medications in such patients, and thus data tends to come from limited pools of people. A doctor or medical professional can discuss this and other options for the management of allergies in pregnant patients, to help patients decide on the best option for their health care needs. Other, more widely tested drugs may be recommended to these patients instead.