Emedastine

Generic name: Emedastine (ophthalmic)
Brand name: Emadine
Drug class: Ophthalmic antihistamines and decongestants

Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.

What is emedastine?

Emedastine is a prescription medicine that is used to treat eye irritation due to allergies.

Description

EMADINE ® (emedastine difumarate ophthalmic solution) 0.05% is a sterile ophthalmic solution containing emedastine, a relatively selective, H₁-receptor antagonist for topical administration to the eyes. Emedastine difumarate is a white, crystalline, water-soluble fine powder with a molecular weight of 534.57. The chemical structure is presented below:

Structural Formula:

Chemical Name:

lH-Benzimidazole, 1-(2-ethoxyethyl)-2-(hexahydro-4-methyl-1H-1,4-diazepin-1-yl), (E)-2-butenedioate (1:2)

Each mL of EMADINE contains: Active: 0.884 mg emedastine difumarate equivalent to 0.5 mg emedastine. Preservative: benzalkonium chloride 0.01%. Inactives: tromethamine; sodium chloride; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; hydrochloric acid/sodium hydroxide (adjust pH); and purified water. It has a pH of approximately 7.4 and an osmolality of approximately 300 mOsm/kg.

Before taking emedastine, tell your doctor:

If you are allergic to emedastine; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take emedastine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take emedastine?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take emedastine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Do not use emedastine to treat contact lens irritation.
Do not wear contact lenses if your eyes are red.
Use care when driving or doing other tasks that call for clear eyesight.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using emedastine while you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is emedastine best taken?

Use emedastine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

For the eye only.
Wash hands before and after use.
Take out contact lenses before using emedastine. Lenses may be put back in 10 minutes after emedastine is given. Do not put contacts back in if your eyes are irritated or infected.
Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your eye.
Do not use if solution changes color.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not use 2 doses or extra doses.

What are the side effects of emedastine that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.

What are some other side effects of emedastine?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Headache.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out emedastine?

Store at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Keep lid tightly closed.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

SRC: NLM .

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