Emedastine (Ophthalmic)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 7, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Emadine

Pharmacologic Class: Antihistamine

Uses for emedastine

Emedastine 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.

Emedastine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using emedastine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking 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 or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on emedastine 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.

Geriatric

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.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking emedastine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using emedastine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amifampridine
• Bupropion
• Donepezil
• Pitolisant

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of emedastine

Do not wear contact lenses if your eyes are red. If your eyes are not red, contact lenses should be removed before you us...