An antihistamine eye drop for allergy eyes

Bepotastine

An antihistamine eye drop used to relieve the itchy, red, watery eyes of allergic conjunctivitis.

What is Bepotastine?

Bepotastine is an antihistamine used as eye drops to relieve allergic conjunctivitis, the itchy, red and watery eyes caused by allergies such as pollen, dust or pet dander. It works by blocking histamine, the chemical released during an allergic reaction, easing the itching and irritation. The drops can cause brief eye irritation and an unusual taste in the mouth shortly after use. They are used regularly during the allergy season for the eye symptoms and are well tolerated by most people. A pharmacist or doctor can advise if symptoms are severe or persistent.

Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Bepotastine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review
Class: Antihistamine (eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis) → Brands: Specialist and branded eye drops
Bepotastine (Antihistamine (eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis)) — Meds Global Health reference card with 2D molecular structure
Bepotastine — Antihistamine (eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis). The image shows the active ingredient's 2D molecular structure.

What it is

Bepotastine is an antihistamine medicine that comes as eye drops and is used to treat allergic conjunctivitis. This is the itchy, red, watery and sometimes swollen eyes that happen when the eyes react to allergens such as pollen, dust mites or animal dander. By calming the allergic reaction in the eye, it relieves these irritating symptoms. It is applied directly to the eye, so it acts where it is needed, and is used during periods when allergy eye symptoms are a problem, under the advice of a prescriber or eye-care professional.

How it works

When the eyes come into contact with something you are allergic to, the body releases histamine, which causes itching, redness, watering and swelling. Bepotastine blocks the action of histamine in the eye, which calms these symptoms. Some antihistamine eye drops also help steady the cells that release histamine, adding to the effect. Because it is applied straight to the eye, it works locally to relieve symptoms, and it is generally used regularly during allergy flare-ups rather than just now and then.

Company & origin

Originated / developed by: Eye-care manufacturers.

An antihistamine used as eye drops to relieve the itchy, watery eyes of allergic conjunctivitis.

Practical use

How to take Bepotastine

General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.

  • Put the drops into the affected eye or eyes as directed during allergy symptoms.
  • Do not be concerned by a brief unusual taste afterwards; this is harmless and comes from the drops draining towards the throat.
  • Wait until any short-lived blurring clears before driving or using machines.
  • If you wear contact lenses, ask whether to remove them before using the drops and how long to wait before putting them back.
  • See a pharmacist or doctor if symptoms are severe, last a long time, or are not relieved by the drops.

Weighing it up

Advantages & disadvantages of Bepotastine

Advantages

  • Relieves the itchy, red, watery eyes of allergic conjunctivitis.
  • Applied directly to the eye, so it works where it is needed.
  • Generally well tolerated, making it suitable for use during allergy flare-ups.

Disadvantages

  • Can cause brief eye irritation when the drops are put in.
  • Often causes a temporary unusual or bitter taste in the mouth afterwards.
  • Treats the eye symptoms rather than the underlying allergy, so symptoms can return.

Practical use

Good to know

It is useful to know that a common quirk with bepotastine eye drops is an unusual or bitter taste in the mouth shortly after using them; this happens because a little of the drop drains down the tear duct towards the throat and is harmless. Mild, brief eye irritation when you put the drops in is also common and usually settles quickly. The drops can cause short-lived blurring just after use, so it is best to wait until your vision is clear before driving. If you wear contact lenses, ask whether to take them out before using the drops. If your eye symptoms are severe, last a long time, or are not helped by the drops, it is worth seeing a pharmacist or doctor for further advice.

Who should not take it / use with caution

  • People who have had a serious allergic reaction to bepotastine should not use it.
  • It is used with care, and on advice, in young children, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • Contact-lens wearers should seek advice on using the drops safely with lenses.

Monitoring

  • Checking that eye symptoms improve and do not persist or worsen.
  • Reviewing whether a different allergy treatment is needed if the drops do not help enough.
  • Making sure the drops are used correctly, especially by contact-lens wearers.

Side effects

  • Brief eye irritation, stinging or a feeling of something in the eye when the drops are put in.
  • A temporary unusual or bitter taste in the mouth shortly after use.
  • Short-lived blurred vision just after using the drops, and, uncommonly, mild headache.

Key interactions

  • Other eye drops should usually be separated by a short time so they do not wash each other out.
  • There are few well-established medicine interactions, but tell a pharmacist about all your medicines.
  • Mention any eye conditions or recent eye surgery before using the drops.

Available as: Eye drops.

Answers

Bepotastine: frequently asked questions

What is bepotastine used for?

It is an antihistamine eye drop used to relieve allergic conjunctivitis, the itchy, red, watery eyes caused by allergies such as pollen, dust or pet dander.

Why do I get a strange taste after using it?

A brief unusual or bitter taste is common because a little of the drop drains down the tear duct towards the throat; it is harmless and passes quickly.

Will the drops blur my vision?

They can cause short-lived blurring just after use, so wait until your vision is clear before driving or using machines.

Can I use them with contact lenses?

Ask a pharmacist or eye-care professional, as you may need to take your lenses out before using the drops and wait before putting them back.

What if my eyes do not improve?

If symptoms are severe, last a long time, or are not relieved by the drops, see a pharmacist or doctor for further advice.

The wider class

About Antihistamine (eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis)

Bepotastine belongs to the antihistamine (eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.

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Authoritative sources

  • BNF
  • NICE CKS

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