Do you also experience itching and redness in your eyes after a dusty or otherwise for no apparent reason? Sometimes this can be very annoying. One eye solution that doctors recommend to control the symptoms of redness and itching in the eyes due to such allergic conditions is Bepotastine. So today we will simply talk about this medicine, how to use it, and what we need to be careful about.
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Simply put, what is Bepotastine?
Bepotastine is an eye drop. To be precise, it belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines . When our body experiences an allergy, our body cells release chemicals like histamine. The eyes become red, itchy, and swollen because of those chemicals.
So what these Bepotastine eye drops do is reduce the release of those annoying chemicals. This gradually relieves the discomfort of burning and itching in the eyes. In Sri Lanka, you may find this medicine under brand names like Bepreve . But whatever the name, remember to always use only the medicine that your doctor has prescribed.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will ask you a few questions. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you.
- If you are a contact lens wearer: If you wear contact lenses, it is very important to inform your doctor about it.
- Previous allergies: Tell us if you have had an allergic reaction to Bepotastine or any other medicine, food, or dye in the past.
- If you are pregnant or expecting a baby: If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon, inform your doctor.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother, it is essential to seek medical advice before using this medicine.
Providing this information to your doctor will help him or her treat you more safely and effectively.
How do you apply these eye drops correctly?
It's very easy to apply this medicine to your eyes. But doing it correctly is very important for the success of the treatment. Let's see how to do it step by step.
1. Wash your hands: Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after applying the medication. This can help prevent germs from getting into your eyes.
2. Prepare: Tilt your head back slightly and look up. Then, with your index finger, gently pull down your lower eyelid. This will create a small pouch-like space.
3. Apply the medicine: Now, put the exact number of drops of medicine that the doctor prescribed into the prepared area. It is very important to be careful not to let the tip of the dropper touch your eyes, fingers, or anywhere else. Doing so can introduce germs into the bottle.
4. Close your eye: Once you've finished applying the medication, gently close your eye and apply gentle pressure to the inner corner of your eye (near your nose) for about 30 seconds. This will help the medication spread throughout your eye.
5. Be patient: Your vision may be slightly blurry for a few minutes after applying the medication. This is normal, so don't worry.
A few other special points
- If you have to use another type of eye drop, wait at least 10 minutes after applying this medicine before applying the other medicine.
- If you have to use an eye ointment, apply it last after all medications .
- Doctors recommend this medicine even for children over 2 years old under certain circumstances, but only on medical advice.
Side effects and things we need to be careful about
As with any medicine, some people may experience minor side effects when using Bepotastine. However, these are usually not serious. Let's divide these side effects into two categories.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Serious Allergic Reactions | If you experience sudden symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, stop taking the medicine immediately and see your doctor. |
| Worsening of eye condition | If eye pain, redness, inflammation increases, or discharge increases, tell your doctor immediately. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Blurred vision | It is normal for your vision to be blurry for a few minutes after applying the medication, but if it persists, tell your doctor. |
| Minor eye irritation or itching | A slight burning sensation after applying the medication usually goes away after a while. |
| Headache, runny nose | Some people may experience mild symptoms like these. If these persist or are bothersome, tell your doctor. |
A few more important things to know
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
What if I get too much medicine in my eyes?
If you think you have accidentally overdosed, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. You can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice, if necessary.
Especially for those who wear contact lenses
If you wear contact lenses, wait at least 10 minutes after using this medicine before putting them back in. Also, do not wear contact lenses when your eyes are red. Do not use this medicine for eye irritation caused by contact lenses.
How to store the medicine?
Keep this medicine bottle out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius (normal room temperature). Do not store it in the freezer. Throw away expired medicine bottles.
💡 Take-Home Message
- This medicine is for your own use only. Never share it with anyone else.
- Use the medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the prescribed time.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the medicine. Be careful not to touch the tip of the bottle to anything.
- If you experience serious allergic symptoms (swelling of the face, difficulty breathing) or if your eye condition worsens, see your doctor immediately.
- If you have any further questions about this medication, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
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