What is it used for?

• Relieving the eye symptoms of hay fever (seasonal allergic conjunctivitis) in adults and children aged 12 years and older.

How does it work?

• Relestat eye drops contain the active ingredient epinastine hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. It works by preventing the actions of histamine.
• Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defence mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, eg flower or grass pollen), the mast cells stimulated by the allergen release their stores of histamine.
• The released histamine then binds to its receptors (H-1 receptors), causing a chain reaction that results in allergic symptoms. It causes an increase in blood flow to the area of the allergy, and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic response. All this results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
• In eye allergies such as hay fever, eg caused by flower pollen or grasses, histamine causes inflammation of the eyes, making them red, itchy and watery.
• Epinastine eye drops work by blocking the histamine receptors in the eyes. This stops it causing inflammation and thus provides relief from the symptoms of the eye allergy.

How do I use it?

• Relestat eye drops contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. For this reason if you wear soft contact lenses, you should remove them before putting in these eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes before putting your lenses back in. However, if at all possible it is best not to wear your contact lenses at all while you are using these drops.
• Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
• One drop should be put into each eye twice a day when needed to relieve symptoms. You can use these drops daily throughout the pollen season, but not for longer than eight weeks. If you still need treatment after this you should get advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you forget to use the drops put the missed dose in as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In this case you should just apply your next dose as usual and miss out the forgotten dose. Don't use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Important information:

• Relestat eye drops are for use in the eyes only and must not be taken by mouth.
• These eye drops may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have put them in your eyes. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.
• When using the eye drops you should take care to not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops.
• Your eye drops should be discarded four weeks after the bottle is first opened. This is because they could be contaminated with dirt or germs that could cause eye infections. Write the date of opening on the bottle so you know when to throw them away. Dispose of carefully, preferably by returning to your pharmacy.

Not to be used in

• Children under 12 years of age.
• This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been fully established. It should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the developing baby. Seek further medical advice from your doctor before using these eye drops if you are pregnant.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should be used with caution in nursing mothers, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the nursing infant. Discuss this with your doctor.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and do use these eye drops (only on your doctor's advice), you can minimise the amount of medicine that is absorbed into your bloodstream by pressing on your tear duct while putting in the drops, and for a few minutes after. The tear duct is at the corner of the eye closest to your nose.

Side effects

• Burning sensation in the eye.
• Red eyes.
• Watery eyes.
• Discharge from the eye.
• Dryness or itching of the eyes.
• Eye pain.
• Asthma.
• Irritation or inflammation in the nose.
• Headache.
• Unusual taste in your mouth.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

References:

https://www.drugs.com/international/relestat.html

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/eye-care/a8537/relestat-eye-drops-epinastine/

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/29/pil

https://www.medicines.ie/medicines/relestat-0-5-mg-ml-eye-drops-solution-33541/patient-info

https://allergan-web-cdn-prod.azureedge.net/allergansouthafrica/allergansouthafrica/media/allergan-south-africa/products/za-pil-relestat-9343x-nat-en-2016-07-29.pdf

https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/cb778a9a-7263-4322-9d88-048f3bc135b7.pdf

http://home.intekom.com/pharm/allergan/relestat.html