Azelastine

What are Azelastine eye drops?

Azelastine eye drops are antihistamine eye drops used to relieve and prevent eye problems caused by allergies, known as allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is when the clear membrane in your eye becomes inflamed due to your immune system ‘overreacting’ to substances like pollen, dust, or pet hair.

How do Azelastine eye drops treat allergic conjunctivitis?

Azelastine eye drops work in a few different ways to relieve allergic conjunctivitis. They act as a histamine H1-receptor antagonist, which means they block histamine – a substance your body produces during an allergic reaction that causes swelling, itching, and redness. Blocking the effects of histamine should help to relieve symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.^[1]

Azelastine can help to stop other mediators of inflammation that happen after your body starts the allergic response, too. This helps to relieve inflammation further, and stops your symptoms persisting over the long-term.^[1]

Azelastine eye drops also stabilize immune cells called mast cells in your eyes. Mast cells are responsible for the release of histamine, so stabilizing them helps prevent symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis before they occur.^[1]

All this means that Azelastine helps to relieve symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, and prevent them before they happen – both in the early stages of an allergic reaction, and over the long-term.

How do Azelastine doses work?

Azelastine eye drops come in one dosage: a 0.05% solution. This means every gram of solution contains 0.5 mg of active ingredient. The typical dose is one drop in each eye every morning and evening – but you should always follow your prescribing clinician’s instructions when using Azelastine eye drops.

What is the active ingredient in Azelastine eye drops?

Azelastine is a generic medicine that gets its name from its active ingredient: azelastine hydrochloride. It’s an antihistamine that blocks the effects of histamine, the substance your body produces as part of an allergic reaction. This helps to relieve symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. It also stabilizes the immune cells (mast cells) in your eyes, which are responsible for releasing histamine. This should help prevent symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis before they start.^[1]

How to use Azelastine eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis

You should always follow your prescriber’s instructions when using Azelastine eye drops. Usually, you’ll use one drop in each eye every morning and evening to relieve and manage symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. You shouldn’t use Azelastine for any longer than six weeks.

To use your eye drops:

• Turn the cap counter clockwise to break the tamper-proof ring and remove it.
• Tighten the cap on the nozzle by turning it clockwise, which will pierce the top of the bottle.
• Wash your hands and gently wipe around your eye with a tissue to remove any moisture.
• Remove the cap by turning it counter clockwise and check that the dropper is clean.
• Gently pull your lower eyelid down.
• Taking care not to let the dropper touch your eye, carefully place a drop inside the middle of your lower eyelid.
• Release your lower eyelid and gently press on the inner corner of your eye, against the bridge of your nose.
• Keep your finger pressed against your nose and slowly blink to spread the drop across the surface of your eye.
• Wipe away any excess medicine with a tissue.
• Repeat for your other eye.
• Tighten the cap back on the bottle after every use.

One of Azelastine eye drop’s inactive ingredients is benzalkonium chloride. This can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and change their colour. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using Azelastine and wait 15 minutes after use before putting them back in. Benzalkonium chloride can also cause eye irritation (especially if you have dry eyes), so speak to your physician if you notice any discomfort after using your eye drops.