Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Sandoz Bilastine
What is Sandoz Bilastine used for?
Sandoz 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 Sandoz Bilastine work?
Sandoz Bilastine is an antihistamine - it blocks the action of histamine and relieves hayfever symptoms, itchiness and hives.
What are the ingredients in Sandoz Bilastine?
Medicinal ingredient: bilastine
Non-medicinal ingredients: colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone type A.
Sandoz Bilastine comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets: 20 mg
Do not use Sandoz Bilastine if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to bilastine or any of the other ingredients of Sandoz 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 Sandoz 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 Sandoz 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.
Sandoz 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 Sandoz Bilastine:
- ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections)
- erythromycin and rifampicin (used to treat bacterial infections)
- diltiazem (used to treat heart problems)
- cyclosporine (used to suppress the immune system)
- ritonavir (used to treat HIV/AIDS)
- grapefruit and other fruit juices
How to take Sandoz Bilastine:
- Swallow the tablet with water.
Take Sandoz 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 Sandoz 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 Sandoz Bilastine?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Sandoz Bilastine. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Sandoz Bilastine, contact a health care professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
- headache
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- stomach pain
Sandoz Bilastine can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.
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 heartbeat, 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.
Storage:
Store between 15°C - 30°C.
Do not use Sandoz Bilastine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle or carton and the blisters after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
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 https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
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 Sandoz 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 website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.sandoz.ca, or by calling 1-800-361-3062.
®Registered trademark used under license by Sandoz Canada Inc.