Bilastine
About Bilastine
Bilastine is an oral antihistamine used to relieve the symptoms of seasonal and year-round allergies, as well as itchy skin rashes. It is commonly prescribed to treat allergic rhinitis, which causes sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes, as well as urticaria, commonly known as hives. This medication helps block the natural chemicals in your body that trigger these uncomfortable allergic reactions.
For the best results, this medicine should be taken consistently at the same time every day. You must take Bilastine on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after eating food or drinking fruit juice. Making simple lifestyle adjustments, such as keeping indoor air clean and avoiding known allergy triggers, can also significantly improve your daily comfort while using this medication.
While this medicine is generally well-tolerated, some people may experience mild side effects like headaches or slight drowsiness. If you experience any severe or unusual symptoms, such as an irregular heartbeat or a severe skin rash, stop taking the medication and consult your doctor immediately.
Before starting Bilastine, it is important to discuss your medical history with your doctor, especially if you have moderate to severe kidney issues. This medication may not be suitable for young children unless specifically prescribed by a healthcare provider. Do not take this if you have a known allergy to any of the ingredients in this formulation.
This medicine can interact with certain prescription medications, alcohol, and fruit juices, which can alter how the drug works or increase your risk of side effects. For instance, drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication can reduce its effectiveness. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an elderly individual, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this medicine is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Bilastine
• Asthma Management: Bilastine is commonly used to prevent and manage asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation in the airways.
• Allergic Rhinitis: Bilastine helps alleviate symptoms associated with seasonal or year-round allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and nasal congestion.
• Reduction of Inflammation: It assists in the inflammatory response in the respiratory system, making it beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions related to inflammation.
Medicinal Benefits
Bilastine helps relieve allergy symptoms, making it easier to breathe and allowing you to feel more comfortable throughout the day.
Benefits may include:
- Helps relieve sneezing, a runny nose, and nasal itching caused by allergies.
- Reduces itchy, watery, and red eyes associated with allergic reactions.
- Improves symptoms of hives, including itching and raised skin rashes.
- Promotes better comfort during daily activities with long-lasting allergy relief.
- Supports restful sleep by controlling allergy symptoms throughout the day and night.
- Provides effective allergy relief with a low likelihood of causing drowsiness.
Directions for Use
- Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop taking it without consulting them.
- Always take the tablet on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after food or fruit juice. Eating food or drinking juice close to your dose can significantly lower how much medicine your body absorbs.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet.
- Ensure you complete the full course of treatment recommended by your healthcare provider, even if your symptoms improve quickly.
Storage
Side Effects of Bilastine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headache
- Mild drowsiness or sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Mild dry mouth or stomach discomfort
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
- An irregular, fast, or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Worsening skin rash, itching, or hives that occur immediately after taking the medicine
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the expiry date: Always check the expiry date before taking your medicine. Do not use it if it has expired.
- Take on an empty stomach: Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Food can reduce how well the medicine works.
- Be careful when driving: Avoid driving, riding a bicycle, or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. It may cause drowsiness or reduce alertness in some people.
- Prepare for allergy testing: If you are scheduled for an allergy skin test, stop taking this medicine 3 to 4 days beforehand, or as advised by your doctor. This helps ensure accurate test results.
Drug Interactions
- Antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole): Taking ketoconazole alongside Bilastine may increase the amount of the medicine in your body and may increase the risk of side effects.
- Antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin): Taking erythromycin with Bilastine may increase the amount of the medicine in your body.
- Immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine): Taking cyclosporine alongside Bilastine may increase the amount of the medicine in your body.
- Blood pressure medications (e.g., diltiazem): Taking diltiazem with Bilastine may increase the amount of the medicine in your body and may require closer monitoring.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeBilastine may cause excessive dizziness when taken with alcohol, so intake should be avoided together.
Pregnancy
cautionBilastine is pregnancy category B medicine, so it can be used by the pregnant mother only if your doctor has prescribed it.
Breast Feeding
cautionTake Bilastine only when prescribed, it is known to pass on in a limited quantity via breast milk to the child.
Driving
cautionBilastine should be used with caution while driving as it may interfere with driving capabilities. You may feel drowsy or sleepy after taking Bilastine.
Liver
cautionBilastine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions as dose adjustment might be required.
Kidney
cautionBilastine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions as dose adjustment might be required.
Children
unsafeBilastine is not recommended for children below the age of 12 years. For 12 years and above, please take Bilastine in the dose and duration as prescribed.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid certain fruit juices: Do not drink grapefruit, orange, or apple juice within 2 hours of taking this medicine, as these juices can reduce how well your body absorbs it.
- Reduce indoor allergens: Wash your bedding regularly in hot water, vacuum carpets with a HEPA-filter vacuum, and keep pets out of your bedroom to help lower allergen exposure.
- Limit pollen exposure: Check your local pollen forecast and stay indoors or keep windows closed when pollen levels are high to help reduce allergy symptoms.
- Use a saline nasal rinse: Consider using a gentle saline nasal rinse to help wash away pollen, dust, and other allergens from your nasal passages.
Special Advise
- Take Bilastine preferably before sleep.
- If you are supposed to undergo an allergy test, please inform your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Allergy: It is an immune system response to foreign elements, typically not harmful to your body. These foreign elements are known as ‘allergens.’ Allergic condition varies from person to person. Some might be allergic to certain foods and seasonal allergies like hay fever. At the same time, others might be allergic to pollen or pet dander.
Allergic rhinitis: An inflammation of the nose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust, mould, or flakes of skin from certain animals.
FAQs
Bilastine is used‚ to treat various allergic symptoms like blocked/runny/itchy nose, red/watery eyes, and skin rashes.
Bilastine contains bilastine (anti-histamine), which is used to treat allergies as it blocks the effects of a chemical messenger known as histamine, which is naturally involved in allergic reactions.
Hay fever is an allergy caused by outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or tiny flecks of skin and saliva shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers (pet dander). It leads to cold-like symptoms (runny nose, watery eyes).
Bilastine is an antihistamine that provides instant relief from allergic conditions; however, in some people, it may cause sleepiness and induce drowsiness during the day. Hence, it is recommended that you take it at night if you experience excessive drowsiness during the day.
You should not take Bilastine if you have had an allergic reaction to Bilastine, are intolerant to lactose or sorbitol, have liver or kidney failure, epilepsy (fits), or difficulty peeing. Inform your doctor that you are taking Bilastine and have scheduled an allergy test, as it may impact the diagnostic result.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Bilastine without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Bilastine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. If you experience any difficulty while taking Bilastine, please consult your doctor.
Bilastine is not recommended for use in patients with prostate enlargement since Bilastine may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement. It is advised to consult your doctor before using Bilastine.
The side effects of Bilastine include dizziness, headache, dry mouth, sore throat, nausea and stomach pain. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
The effects of Bilastine may start showing as early as 1 hour after consumption and last approximately 24 hours.
Bilastine should be used in dose and for duration as advised by the doctor only.
You are recommended to avoid taking antacids 30 minutes before or after taking Bilastine as it can make it harder for your body to absorb Bilastine.
Yes, Bilastine may cause headache as a common side effect. Drink plenty of water, take rest, and ask your doctor to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headache persists or worsens, please consult your doctor.
Avoid consumption of fruit juices while taking Bilastine as it may affect the absorption of Bilastine.
No, you should not take Bilastine with breakfast or coffee. This medicine must be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating or drinking anything other than water to ensure it is absorbed properly. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you struggle to time your doses.
The safety of this medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been fully established. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist to weigh the benefits and potential risks before using this medication.
Taking it with food once will not cause harm, but it will make the medicine much less effective at relieving your allergy symptoms. Simply resume taking your next scheduled dose on an empty stomach. Talk to your doctor if your allergy symptoms remain uncontrolled.
In clinical studies, this medicine did not increase the drowsiness caused by moderate alcohol intake. However, because alcohol can affect individuals differently, it is generally recommended to use caution if consuming alcohol while taking any antihistamine. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice.
Yes, Bilastine can be used for long-term management of seasonal allergies or chronic hives, provided it is done under medical supervision. Your doctor will advise you on the duration of your treatment based on your symptoms. Talk to your doctor regularly to review your treatment plan.
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