Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Bepreve
What is BEPREVE used for?
BEPREVE is used for the treatment of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is eye inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to allergens like pollen, house dust, or animal dander.
How does BEPREVE work?
BEPREVE makes allergic reactions less intense by:
- (1) blocking the effects of histamine (a chemical that plays an important role in allergic reactions), and
- (2) stabilizing mast cells (cells that contain histamine and other chemicals involved in allergic reactions).
What are the ingredients in BEPREVE?
Medicinal ingredients: Bepotastine besilate.
Non-medicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride (as preservative), monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and water.
BEPREVE comes in the following dosage forms:
Ophthalmic solution (eye drops), 1.5% w/v.
Do not use BEPREVE if:
You are hypersensitive to bepotastine besilate or to any ingredient in the formulation or component of the container.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take BEPREVE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Wear contact lenses
BEPREVE should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation. BEPREVE should not be used while wearing contact lenses. Remove contact lenses prior to using BEPREVE. The preservative in BEPREVE, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Lenses may be reinserted after 10 minutes following administration of BEPREVE.
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, or might get pregnant, talk to your healthcare professional before you use BEPREVE. If you are breastfeeding, do not use BEPREVE as it may pass into your breast milk.
Other warnings you should know about:
BEPREVE is for use in the eyes only.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take BEPREVE:
When using BEPREVE, be careful not to touch your eye or surrounding areas with the dropper tip of the bottle to minimize possible contamination of the dropper tip and medicine.
Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using BEPREVE and do not put them back in for 10 minutes after using BEPREVE.
Usual dose:
The recommended dose of BEPREVE is one drop into the affected eye(s) twice a day.
Overdose:
| If you think you have taken too much BEPREVE, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed Dose:
If you forget to use BEPREVE, use a single drop as soon as you remember, and then go back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not try to catch up on missed drops by applying more than one dose at a time.
What are possible side effects from using BEPREVE?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking BEPREVE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- Headache
- Eye irritation
- Inflammation of the nose or throat
- Change in your sense of taste
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
| Only if severe | In all cases | |
RARE Allergic Reaction: itching, body rash, swelling of the lips, tongue and/or throat | ||
| √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can help improve the safe use of health products for Canadians by reporting serious and unexpected side effects to Health Canada. Your report may help to identify new side effects and change the product safety information. 3 ways to report:
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at room temperature, 15ºC -25ºC
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about BEPREVE:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (www.healthcanada.gc.ca); the manufacturer’s website (www.bausch.ca) or by calling 1-888-459-5000.