Ebastine
About
Ebastine belongs to the group of medicines called 'Histamine H1 receptor antagonist' primarily used to treat allergic conditions like seasonal allergies/hay fever, allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis (stuffy nose) and allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies). Allergy is the response of the body to a foreign substance.
Ebastine contains 'Ebastine' that works by blocking the effect of histamine (chemical messenger) which is responsible for allergic reactions, thereby providing relief from allergic symptoms such as swelling, itching, rashes, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes.
You are advised to take Ebastine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, Ebastine may cause common side-effects such as dry mouth, headache, and drowsiness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Consult your doctor before taking Ebastine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe Ebastine only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Ebastine may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Ebastine is not recommended for children as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Ebastine as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness.
Uses of Ebastine
Medicinal Benefits
Ebastine belongs to the group of medicines called histamine H1 receptor antagonists used to treat allergic conditions like symptoms of seasonal allergies (hay fever), allergic rhinitis (stuffy nose), and allergic conjunctivitis (allergy in the eye). Ebastine works by blocking the effect of histamine (chemical messenger) which is responsible for allergic reactions, thereby providing relief from allergic symptoms such as swelling, itching, rashes, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ebastine
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Ebastine if you are allergic to any of its contents. Talk to your doctor before taking Ebastine if you have heart disease such as ECG alteration (prolongation of QT interval). Take Ebastine with caution if you have low levels of potassium in the blood. Avoid consuming Ebastine along with erythromycin (antibiotics) and ketoconazole (anti-fungal) as it might lead to higher levels of Ebastine in the blood leading to toxicity. Consult your doctor before taking Ebastine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ebastine may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive if you are alert. Ebastine is not recommended for children as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Ebastine as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ebastine may interact with an antifungal (ketoconazole) and antibiotic (erythromycin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney impairment, liver impairment or heart problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Ebastine to avoid unpleasant side effects. Alcohol intake along with Ebastine may cause increased drowsiness. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
cautionLimited evidence is available on the safety of Ebastine in pregnant women. Please consult your doctor before taking Ebastine if you are pregnant; your doctor will prescribe Ebastine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether Ebastine passes into the mother’s milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Ebastine if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe Ebastine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionEbastine may cause dizziness and drowsiness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
safe if prescribedSafe if prescribed by the doctor in patients with mild to moderate liver impairment for up to 7 days. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with severe liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
safe if prescribedSafe if prescribed by the doctor for up to 5 days in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeEbastine is not recommended for children as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include citrus fruits in your diet as they help in reducing allergies.
- Turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce inflammation-driven allergy, swelling and irritation.
- Exercise regularly and include healthy food to keep your immune system at bay.
- Avoid getting in contact with allergens (allergy-causing agents) such as dust, pollen, mould, insects, etc.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Allergy: Allergy is the response of the body to a foreign substance. The body's immune system produces a response by releasing antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) to the foreign substance. The foreign substance called allergens can be harmless or can cause minimal to serious allergies in the body. Symptoms of an allergy include congestion, runny nose, swelling, watery eyes, weakness, nausea, hives (pale red bumps), rashes, sore throat, itching and burning sensation. The cause of allergy could vary from person to person. The allergy might occur due to food, insects, drugs, mould or plants. Treatment for allergy generally includes antihistamines.
FAQs
Ebastine works by blocking the effect of histamine (chemical messenger) which is responsible for the allergic reactions, thereby provides relief from allergic symptoms such as swelling, itching, rashes, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes.
Ebastine causes dizziness and drowsiness. So, drive only if you are alert and omit driving or operating machinery if you feel dizzy or drowsy.
Ebastine may cause dry mouth. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevents drying of the mouth.
Ebastine is generally prescribed for short-term use. Nevertheless, continue taking Ebastine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you to avoid recurring symptoms. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Ebastine.
It is generally safe to take Ebastine for up to 7 days in patients with mild to moderately impaired liver function. However, do not take Ebastine if you have severely impaired liver function. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Do not overdose on Ebastine or any medicine as it could lead to unpleasant side-effects. Take Ebastine only as prescribed by your doctor. Rush to your nearest doctor as early as possible if you have overdosed on Ebastine. Monitoring vital body functions, ECG monitoring for at least 24 hours, gastric lavage and symptomatic treatment may be necessary.
