Antihistamine eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis

Epinastine

Antihistamine eye drops used to relieve and help prevent the itchy, watery eyes of allergic conjunctivitis.

What is Epinastine?

Epinastine is an antihistamine given as eye drops to treat allergic conjunctivitis, the itchy, red, watery eyes caused by allergies such as hay fever. It blocks histamine, the chemical that drives the allergic reaction, and also helps steady the cells that release it, so it both eases and helps prevent symptoms. The most common effects are local, such as mild irritation or burning when the drops go in. It is for the eyes only and is not a treatment for eye infections.

Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Epinastine — 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 → Brands: Relestat
Epinastine (Antihistamine eye drops) — Meds Global Health reference card with 2D molecular structure
Epinastine — Antihistamine eye drops. The image shows the active ingredient's 2D molecular structure.

What it is

Epinastine is an antihistamine eye drop used to relieve allergic conjunctivitis, the eye allergy that causes itching, redness, watering and a gritty feeling. It is often used during the hay fever season or whenever the eyes react to allergens such as pollen, dust or pet dander. The drops act directly on the eye to calm the allergic response. They are for allergic eye symptoms, not for eye infections, which need different treatment.

How it works

When the eye meets something a person is allergic to, histamine and other chemicals are released and make the eye itch, redden and water. Epinastine blocks the histamine receptors in the eye so these symptoms are dampened, and it also helps steady the mast cells that release histamine, which gives it a helpful preventive effect when used regularly. Because it works locally in the eye, it relieves symptoms fairly quickly while reducing how strongly the eye reacts to the trigger over time. It calms the reaction rather than removing the cause.

Company & origin

Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.

An antihistamine eye drop used in the UK to relieve and help prevent the itchy, watery eyes of allergic conjunctivitis.

Practical use

How to take Epinastine

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, washing your hands first.
  • Avoid letting the dropper tip touch your eye or anything else, to keep the drops clean.
  • Wait until any blurring has cleared before driving or doing anything needing sharp vision.
  • If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using the drops and wait a while before putting them back.
  • Use them regularly during the allergy season, as steady use helps both ease and prevent symptoms.

Weighing it up

Advantages & disadvantages of Epinastine

Advantages

  • Relieves itchy, watery, red eyes and, with regular use, helps prevent symptoms flaring.
  • Works fairly quickly and is simple to use as eye drops.
  • Acts mainly on the eye, so whole-body antihistamine effects such as drowsiness are unlikely.

Disadvantages

  • Can cause mild irritation or burning when the drops go in.
  • May blur vision for a short time after use.
  • Treats the allergy symptoms but does not remove what is causing the allergy.

Practical use

Good to know

A useful point about epinastine is that, as well as easing itchy, watery eyes, regular use can help keep symptoms from flaring, so using it consistently through the allergy season often works better than occasional use. Mild local irritation, such as a brief burning or stinging when the drops go in, is the most common effect and usually settles quickly. Vision can be blurred for a short time after use, so wait until it clears before driving. If you wear contact lenses, it is generally advised to remove them before the drops and wait a while before putting them back, as the preservative can be held by lenses. Reducing contact with the allergy trigger, where you can, helps the drops do their job.

Who should not take it / use with caution

  • People who have had a serious allergic reaction to epinastine should not use it.
  • It is used with caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding, on medical advice.
  • Suitability in young children should be checked with a doctor or pharmacist.

Monitoring

  • Reviewing whether the eye symptoms are improving and staying controlled with regular use.
  • Watching for ongoing irritation or any reaction to the drops.
  • Seeking advice if symptoms do not improve or the eye becomes painful or very red.

Side effects

  • Mild burning, stinging or irritation when the drops go in.
  • Short-lived blurred vision straight after using the drops.
  • Redness, dryness or a gritty feeling in the eye in some people.
  • Rarely, an allergic reaction to the drops themselves.

Key interactions

  • There are few important interactions because the drops act mainly on the eye.
  • If you use other eye drops, leave a gap between them so each has time to work.
  • Tell your pharmacist about other medicines and eye products you use.

Available as: Eye drops.

Answers

Epinastine: frequently asked questions

What is epinastine used for?

It is an antihistamine eye drop used to relieve allergic conjunctivitis, the itchy, red, watery eyes caused by allergies such as hay fever.

Does it prevent symptoms as well as treat them?

Yes. As well as easing symptoms, regular use helps steady the cells that release histamine, which can help keep eye-allergy symptoms from flaring.

Why is my vision blurred after using it?

Vision can blur for a short time after the drops go in; wait until it clears before driving or doing anything needing sharp vision.

Can I use it with contact lenses?

It is generally advised to take your lenses out before using the drops and wait a while before putting them back, as the preservative can be held by lenses.

Does it treat eye infections?

No. Epinastine treats allergy symptoms in the eye, not infections, which need different treatment, so see a professional if you suspect an infection.

The wider class

About Antihistamine eye drops

Epinastine belongs to the antihistamine eye drops 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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