Bepotastine Besilate
About Bepotastine Besilate
Bepotastine Besilate is a prescription eye drop designed to relieve itchy eyes caused by seasonal or year-round allergies, a condition medically known as allergic conjunctivitis. It works by blocking histamine, a natural substance your body releases during an allergic reaction that causes itching, redness, and swelling. By targeting these symptoms directly, it helps restore comfort to irritated eyes.
To get the best results, you should use Bepotastine Besilate consistently at the same time every day as recommended by your doctor. Because these are eye drops, they can be applied regardless of your mealtimes. Combining this treatment with simple lifestyle changes, such as keeping your windows closed during high-pollen seasons and using an indoor air purifier, can significantly improve your comfort.
While using this medication, some people may experience mild side effects like a temporary metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, mild eye stinging, or a sore throat. However, if you experience serious side effects such as severe eye pain, changes in your vision, or signs of an active eye infection, you should contact your doctor right away.
Talk to your doctor before starting Bepotastine Besilate if you have a history of severe dry eyes or other ocular conditions. Do not use this medicine if you have a known allergy to any of its ingredients. It is also important to tell your healthcare provider if you wear soft contact lenses, as special precautions are needed during use.
Before using these eye drops, tell your doctor about all other eye medications, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter products you use to prevent potential interactions. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for an elderly patient, consult your healthcare provider to ensure this medication is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Bepotastine Besilate
Medicinal Benefits
Bepotastine Besilate offers targeted relief that helps you return to your daily activities without the constant distraction of uncomfortable, irritated eyes.
The following are the benefits of Bepotastine Besilate:
- Helps quickly relieve itching caused by eye allergies.
- Reduces redness, swelling, and irritation in the eyes.
- Improves eye comfort during exposure to allergens like dust or pollen.
- Supports clearer, less watery eyes during allergy flare-ups.
- Provides long-lasting relief, reducing the need for frequent use.
- Helps maintain comfort with minimal disruption to daily activities.
Directions for Use
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before opening the bottle.
- Tilt your head back slightly and look up at the ceiling.
- Gently pull your lower eyelid down with one finger to create a small pocket.
- Hold the dropper bottle directly over your eye, keeping the tip close but not touching your eye, eyelids, fingers, or any other surface.
- Gently squeeze the bottle to release one drop into the pocket of your lower eyelid.
- Close your eye gently and press your finger against the inner corner of your eye (near your nose) for 1 to 2 minutes. This stops the medicine from draining away into your tear duct and throat.
- If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before applying the drops and wait at least 10 minutes before putting them back in.
- Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding your specific dose and how many times a day you should use the drops.
Storage
Side Effects of Bepotastine Besilate
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- A temporary bitter or metallic taste in your mouth
- Mild, temporary eye burning, stinging, or irritation immediately after application
- A mild sore throat or runny nose
- Mild headache
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe or worsening eye pain, burning, or redness
- Changes in your vision, such as persistent blurry vision
- Signs of an eye infection, such as swelling, heavy tearing, crusting, or pus-like discharge
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the solution before use: Make sure the eye drops are clear and free of particles. Do not use them if the solution looks cloudy, has changed colour, or contains visible particles.
- Keep the dropper tip clean: Do not let the dropper tip touch your eye, eyelid, skin, or any surface. This helps prevent contamination and reduces the risk of eye infections.
- Space out eye medications: If you use other eye drops or eye ointments, wait 5 to 10 minutes after using this medicine before applying the next eye medication.
- Avoid contact lenses: Do not wear contact lenses while your eyes are red or irritated. Wearing lenses may make the irritation worse.
- Wait before reinserting contact lenses: Remove your soft contact lenses before using the drops and wait at least 10 minutes before putting them back in. This helps prevent the preservative in the drops from being absorbed into the lenses.
- Be careful if your vision is blurred: Avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision becomes clear if the drops cause temporary watering or blurred vision.
Drug Interactions
- Other ophthalmic medications (e.g., lubricating, antibiotic, or glaucoma eye drops): Using other eye drops immediately before or after Bepotastine Besilate can wash out the active ingredients of either medication, reducing their effectiveness. Always space them out by at least 5 to 10 minutes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcoholic beverages with Bepotastine Besilate as they can make you dehydrated and affect eye pressure.
Pregnancy
cautionThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. Bepotastine Besilate should be used during pregnancy only if prescribed by a doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies on breastfeeding women. Caution should be exercised, and it is advisable to consult a doctor before using.
Driving
cautionBepotastine Besilate can cause blurry vision. So, driving or operating machinery should not be done.
Liver
safe if prescribedNo interaction was found. Please consult your doctor for further advice.
Kidney
safe if prescribedNo interaction was found. Please consult your doctor for further advice.
Children
cautionIt is well tolerated in children when used as advised by the child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Monitor pollen counts: Check daily local pollen forecasts and try to stay indoors when counts are exceptionally high, especially during dry, windy days.
- Use cold compresses: Place a clean washcloth soaked in cold water over your closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes to help soothe intense itching and reduce swelling.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes: Rubbing irritated eyes can cause mast cells to rupture and release more histamine, which actually intensifies the itching and redness.
- Wear protective eyewear: When going outdoors, wear wraparound sunglasses to physically block airborne pollen, dust, and other allergens from entering your eyes.
- Wash up after being outdoors: Wash your face, hands, and hair after spending time outside to remove any trapped allergens that could transfer to your eyes or pillow.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Allergic conjunctivitis: Allergic conjunctivitis is a common eye inflammation when the eyes come into contact with an allergen. Symptoms such as itching and redness of the eyes can occur because the overreacting immune system causes the body to release histamine and other active substances. As a result, the blood vessels dilate or expand, irritating the nerve endings.
FAQs
Bepotastine Besilate is used to treat itching/irritation of the eyes due to allergic conjunctivitis.
Bepotastine Besilate belongs to a class of medicines known as an antihistamine. It works by inhibiting the natural substance (histamine) action responsible for causing allergic symptoms, thereby reducing allergy symptoms.
No, Bepotastine Besilate should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by the doctor. If you take it in more than the recommended dose, it might cause serious side effects. If you think your symptoms are not improving, please consult your doctor.
If you miss a dose of Bepotastine Besilate, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Bepotastine Besilate may cause blurred vision. However, this effect will be temporarily seen after instilling Bepotastine Besilate and gradually wear off. Do not drive until you can see clearly.
No, Bepotastine Besilate should not be used simultaneously with other eye medications. At least, a gap of 10-15 minutes should be there between using two eye medications.
Lie down and tilt your head backwards. Pull your lower eyelid gently with your index finger to form a pocket. Instil the number of drops advised by the doctor into the pocket of the lower eyelid. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes. Use Bepotastine Besilate as frequently as advised by your doctor. Generally, Bepotastine Besilate should be used twice a day.
Bepotastine Besilate is safe if used in the dose and duration recommended by your doctor. Take it precisely as directed by your doctor and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and let your doctor know if you experience any side effects.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Bepotastine Besilate, if you have or ever had any problems related to your eyes and about all the other medicines if you are taking. Avoid wearing contact lenses immediately after using Bepotastine Besilate, as they can cause discoloration or discomfort.
Do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface, including your eye or hands, to prevent contamination of the solution. Use Bepotastine Besilate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use more or less than the recommended dose. Close the cap of Bepotastine Besilate after each usage to prevent contamination. Remove contact lenses before using Bepotastine Besilate and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.
Yes Bepotastine Besilate is effective if used as per dose and duration advised by the doctor. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Continue using Bepotastine Besilate for prescribed duration. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
After using Bepotastine Besilate, you should keep your eyes shut for about 1-2 minutes. This helps Bepotastine Besilate to be absorbed properly and prevents it from draining out of your eye.
It's best to avoid using Bepotastine Besilate with contact lenses in your eyes. You should remove your contact lenses before applying Bepotastine Besilate. After using Bepotastine Besilate, wait at least 15 minutes before putting your contact lenses back in. This helps to ensure that the medication is properly absorbed and reduces the risk of irritation or contamination.
No, do not keep Bepotastine Besilate in refrigerator. Store Bepotastine Besilate at a temperature not exceeding 30°C in a dry place. Protect from light. Do not freeze.
The common side effects of Bepotastine Besilate are mild taste in the mouth after instillation, irritation in the eyes, headache, and swelling inside the nose and throat in some cases. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
It is common to experience a temporary metallic or bitter taste because a small amount of the eye drop naturally drains through your tear ducts into the back of your throat. You can minimise this by gently pressing the inner corners of your closed eyes near your nose for 1 to 2 minutes right after applying the drops. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if this becomes highly uncomfortable.
The safety of Bepotastine Besilate during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been fully established, though systemic absorption from eye drops is very low. You should only use it if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor to decide if this treatment is safe for you and your baby.

