Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Mar-Bilastine
What is Mar-Bilastine used for?
Mar-Bilastine tablets are used to relieve the symptoms of:
- Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis:
Hayfever (sneezing, itchy, runny, blocked-up nose, red and watery eyes) in patients 12 years of age and older.
Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria:
Hives and itching in patients 12 years of age and older.
How does Mar-Bilastine work?
Mar-Bilastine is an antihistamine - it blocks the action of histamine and relieves hayfever symptoms, itchiness and hives.
What are the ingredients in Mar-Bilastine?
Medicinal ingredient: bilastine
Non-medicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate.
Mar-Bilastine comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets: 20 mg
Do not use Mar-Bilastine if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to bilastine or any of the other ingredients of Mar-Bilastine.
- You have a history of irregular heartbeat.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Mar-Bilastine. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have kidney problems.
- have heart problems or a family history of heart problems.
are pregnant or planning to becoming pregnant.
- are breastfeeding.
Other warnings you should know about:
Driving and using machines
While taking Mar-Bilastine you may experience a feeling of tiredness, which can affect your ability to drive or use machines. If you experience tiredness, do not drive or operate machinery.
Mar-Bilastine tablets (20 mg) are not suitable for use by children under 12 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 Mar-Bilastine:
- ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections)
- erythromycin and rifampicin (used to treat bacterial infections)
- diltiazem (used to treat heart problems)
- cyclosporine (used to supress the immune system)
- ritonavir (used to treat HIV/AIDS)
- grapefruit and other fruit juices
How to take Mar-Bilastine:
- Swallow the tablet with water.
Take Mar-Bilastine on an empty stomach, one hour before eating or drinking or two hours after. Food and fruit juice will lower the amount of medicine available to treat your symptoms.
- Do not take more Mar-Bilastine than your healthcare professional has told you to. If your symptoms do not improve, consult your healthcare professional.
Usual dose:
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Patients 12 years of age and older: 1 tablet (20 mg) once daily.
Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Patients 12 years and older: 1 tablet (20 mg) once daily.
Overdose:
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take your dose on time, take it as soon as possible, and then go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
What are possible side effects from using Mar-Bilastine?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Mar-Bilastine. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
- headache
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- stomach pain
Mar-Bilastine can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.
If you think you, your child or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Mar-Bilastine, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency 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.
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 Heart problems: heart racing or slowing, cold sweats, feeling faint, feeling your heart beat, light headed, nausea, shortness of breath | √ | ||
UNKNOWN Allergic reactions: difficulty in breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, and/or swelling and redness of the skin | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
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-reportingl) 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 at room temperature (15°C and 30°C)
Do not use Mar-Bilastine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottles, carton and the blisters after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
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 Mar-Bilastine:
- 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 Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc. website www.marcanpharma.com, or by calling at 1-855-627-2261.