Epinastine (Ophthalmic)
Brand Names : Elestat
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.
This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For epinastine, the following
should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to epinastine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if
you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives like benzalkonium
chloride.
Pregnancy - Epinastine has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in animals have found that epinastine, given in high doses,
can cause harmful effects on the fetus. Before taking this medicine, make
sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether epinastine passes into
human breast milk after being used in the eye. Although most medicines pass
into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding.
Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss
this with their doctor.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in
adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of epinastine
in children under the age of 3 years with use in other age groups.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been
shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it
does in younger adults.
Other 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. Tell your health care
professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
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