Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Blexten (Aralez Pharmaceuticals Canada, 6 mg)
What BLEXTEN is used for:
BLEXTEN ophthalmic solution is used to treat the signs and symptoms of eye disorders which you get with seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis in adults.
How BLEXTEN works:
BLEXTEN is an antihistamine - it blocks the action of histamine and relieves the signs and symptoms of eye disorders such as itchiness due to allergic conjunctivitis.
The ingredients in BLEXTEN are:
Medicinal ingredient: bilastine
Non-medicinal ingredients: glycerol, hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin, methyl cellulose, sodium hyaluronate, sodium hydroxide 1 N (for pH-adjustment), water for injection
BLEXTEN comes in the following dosage form:
Ophthalmic solution (eye drops): 1 mL ophthalmic solution contains 6 mg bilastine. One drop contains 0.2 mg bilastine. BLEXTEN is clear and colorless, filled in a multi-dose LDPE bottle containing 5 mL of preservative free solution, having a white HDPE nozzle with tamper evident screw-cap.
Pack size: 1 x 5 mL bottle.
Do not use BLEXTEN if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to bilastine or any of the other ingredients of BLEXTEN.
Other warnings you should know about:
Doing tasks that require special attention:
Driving and using machines. Temporary blurred vision or other visual disturbances affecting the ability to drive or use machines may occur after instillation of this medicine. Please wait until the vision clears before driving or using machinery.
Contact lenses. The use of this medicine does not affect the properties of the contact lenses. You can continue wearing contact lenses during use of this medicine. Remove contact lenses before administration of the eye drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting contacts back in.
In the event of inflammation, including allergic conjunctivitis, ask your ophthalmologist whether you can wear contact lenses despite the symptoms.
BLEXTEN ophthalmic solution (6 mg/mL) is not suitable for use by patients less than 18 years of age.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with BLEXTEN:
- Other medicinal products for ophthalmic use. Wait at least 5 minutes between putting BLEXTEN and other eye drops. Eye ointments should be administered last.
How to administer BLEXTEN:
- 1. Always wash your hands and dry them with a clean towel first before administering this medicine.
- 2. Gently clean the eyelids if they are crusty with discharge by wiping the lid from the inner corner to the outer corner with the eye closed using a cotton ball dampened with warm water.
- 3. Open the bottle and avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else - eyedrops and droppers must be kept clean.
- 4. Tilt back the head, or lie down, and look upward (Figure 1). Using your finger, gently pull the lower eyelid downward (Figure 2).
- 5. Look up and squeeze one eye drop into the eye.
- 6. Release your lower eye lid and keep your eye closed to spread the drop across the surface of your eye (Figure 3).
- 7. Repeat the above for the other eye if necessary.
To avoid contamination during the use of this medicine do not touch any surfaces (eyelids, surrounding areas of the eye, or other surfaces) with the dropper tip and clean the tip of the nozzle with a clean tissue after use to remove any residual liquid.
Usual dose:
Adults: one drop in each affected eye(s) once daily.
The treatment with this medicine should be done regularly if possible until a relief of symptoms is reached and should be continued as long as needed to maintain symptom relief. This medicine can be used for up to 8 weeks. If you stop using BLEXTEN ophthalmic solution while you are still exposed to the allergen(s), you have to expect that the typical allergic symptoms will return.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional will decide and advise on how long you should use it based on your condition.
Overdose:
If you use more BLEXTEN ophthalmic solution than you should, you can rinse it out with warm water.
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much BLEXTEN, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.
Missed dose:
If you forget to apply the drop on time, apply the forgotten dose as soon as possible and then go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Possible side effects from using BLEXTEN:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking BLEXTEN. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Eye problems such as:
- Eye Pain
- Redness of the eyes
- Change in vision
- Condition becomes worse
- Dry eye
- Eye discharge
- Eye irritation
- Increased tearing
- Eye discomfort
- Distortion of the sense of taste
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
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 between 15°C - 30°C.
Do not use BLEXTEN after the expiry date which is stated on the label or carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
After first opening of the bottle: do not use this medicine if the bottle has been opened for longer than 2 months.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about BLEXTEN:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (Drug Product Database: Access the database); the manufacturer’s website (https://www.searchlightpharma.com/), or by calling 1-855-331-0830.
Date of Authorization: 2025-10-01