In the U.S.—

• Antihistamine, H₁-receptor, ophthalmic
• antiallergic, ophthalmic

Emedastine (em-e-DAS-teen) ophthalmic solution is used to treat symptoms of the eye caused by allergic conjunctivitis. It works by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced in certain cells in your eyes and which causes the allergic reaction.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For emedastine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to emedastine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy—Emedastine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that emedastine, when given in very high doses to some types of animals, causes birth defects. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether enough ophthalmic emedastine is absorbed by the body to pass into breast milk. However, be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of ophthalmic emedastine in children younger than 3 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of ophthalmic emedastine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Do not wear contact lenses if your eyes are red. If your eyes are not red, contact lenses should be removed before you use this medicine. Also, you should wait at least 10 minutes after using this medicine before putting the contact lenses back in.

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Dosing—

The dose of emedastine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of emedastine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops):
  • For eye allergy:
    • Adults and children 3 years of age and older—Use one drop in the affected eye one to four times a day.
    • Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your symptoms do not improve or if your condition becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Abnormal dreams;  blurred vision or other change in vision;  eye redness, irritation, or pain ;  tearing, discomfort, or other eye irritation not present before therapy or becoming worse during therapy;  weakness 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Headache 
  
  

• Less common
  • Bad taste;  burning or stinging of the eye;  dry eye;  feeling of something in the eye;  itching;  skin rash;  stuffy or runny nose 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.