Bepreve

Bepreve

Generic Name: bepotastine ophthalmic (BEP oh TAS teen off THAL mik)

Brand Names: Bepreve

What is Bepreve?

Bepreve Eye Drops contain bepotastine, an antihistamine that reduces the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of itching or watery eyes.

Bepreve is used to treat itchy eyes caused by allergies. These eye drops should not be used to treat eye discomfort caused by wearing contact lenses.

Bepreve may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Bepreve

You should not use Bepreve if you are allergic to bepotastine. Do not use Bepreve while you are wearing contact lenses. Bepreve may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 10 minutes after using Bepreve before putting your contact lenses in.

Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.

Stop using Bepreve and call your doctor at once if you have severe eye irritation when using the eye drops.

Before using Bepreve

You should not use Bepreve if you are allergic to bepotastine. FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Bepreve is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether bepotastine ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use Bepreve in a child younger than 2 years old.

How should I use Bepreve?

Use Bepreve exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

To use Bepreve eye drops:

Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the dropper tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.

Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.

Store Bepreve eye drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Bepreve is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while using Bepreve?

Do not use Bepreve while you are wearing contact lenses. The eye drops may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 10 minutes after using the drops before putting your contact lenses in.

Bepreve side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Bepreve: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Bepreve and call your doctor at once if you have severe eye irritation when using the eye drops.

Less serious Bepreve side effects may include:

mild eye irritation;

runny or stuffy nose, sore throat;

headache; or

unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Bepreve side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Bepreve?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on Bepreve used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Bepreve resources

Bepreve Side Effects (in More Detail)

Bepreve Dosage

Bepreve Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Bepreve Support Group

7 Reviews for Bepreve - Add your own review/rating

Bepreve Prescribing Information (FDA)

Bepreve Monograph (AHFS DI)

Bepreve Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Bepreve Eye Drops MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Bepreve with other medications

Conjunctivitis, Allergic

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Bepreve.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.