Bepotastine Besilate 1.5% Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Eye Drops

Available Strengths: 1.5%

Reference Brands: Bepreve (USA)

Category: Opthalmology

Bepotastine (commonly as Bepotastine besilate) is a second-generation antihistamine used to treat itching and redness of the eyes caused by allergic conjunctivitis. It works by blocking histamine H₁ receptors, preventing the release of substances that cause allergy symptoms.

Product Description:

Bepotastine besilate is a second-generation antihistamine that blocks H1 receptors, stabilises mast cells and suppresses eosinophil migration into ocular tissue. Like other modern ophthalmic antihistamines it works within minutes and lasts several hours, so it is used both to relieve itching and to prevent it before a known exposure.

It is used twice daily for itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. The most distinctive adverse effect is taste: a mild bitter taste after instillation, reported by a noticeable minority of patients, caused by drug draining through the nasolacrimal duct into the throat. Pressing on the inner corner of the eye for a minute after instilling reduces it, and also reduces systemic absorption generally. Eye irritation, headache and nasopharyngitis are the other common complaints. Contact lenses are removed before use and replaced after ten minutes.

Sourcing notes. Bepotastine originated in Japan, where it is also used as an oral antihistamine; the eye drop is registered in the US, Japan and parts of Asia, but not through the EU centralised route, so registration in the destination market should be confirmed. It is supplied as a preserved multi-dose solution, and the bottle, tip and fill volume belong in the specification.