Hoppa till huvudinnehåll

Bilastin tabletter och flytande medicin

Ilaxten

Bilastine relieves allergic symptoms.

Take one tablet daily. Take the tablet when your stomach is empty (so, one hour before a meal, or alternatively, two hours after eating a meal).

Do NOT take the tablet with any food, or with grapefruit juice or any other fruit juices.

Bilastine can cause drowsiness in a few people. Make sure your reactions are normal before you drive, or before using tools or machines.

Överblick

  • Bilastine is an antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin rashes.

  • It is available as tablets, melt-in-the-mouth tablets, and an oral liquid medicine.

  • Take bilastine on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after food.

  • Common side effects are feeling sleepy and headache; do not drive if you feel sleepy.

  • Bilastine can be prescribed for adults and children aged 6 years and over.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have epilepsy, or take other medicines.

Need hayfever medication?
Starta en snabb onlinekonsultation via Patient.info, tillgänglig dygnet runt
Granskad av brittiskt registrerade kliniker och drivs av Evaro, en brittisk reglerad vårdtjänst som stöder över 2 miljoner patienter. Behandling kan ofta levereras nästa dag.

Översikt

Typ av medicin

Antihistamine (non-drowsy)

Används för

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and some allergic skin reactions

Även kallad

Ilaxten®

Tillgänglig som

Tablets, melt-in-the-mouth (orodispersible) tablets, oral liquid medicine

What is bilastine used for?

Bilastine is an antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and skin rashes. It is commonly prescribed for hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and hives (urticaria).

It is available on prescription from a doctor or pharmacist.

How does bilastine work?

Bilastine works by stopping the effects of a substance called histamine, a chemical released by the body when it is exposed to allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. This helps relieve symptoms such as itching, sneezing, watery eyes, and hives.

Side effects of bilastine

The most common side effects of bilastine are:

  • Feeling sleepy.

  • Huvudvärk.

You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any continue or become troublesome.

How to manage bilastine side effects

Common bilastine side effects (these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people)

Vad kan jag göra om jag upplever detta?

Feeling sleepy

If this happens, do not drive and do not use tools or machines while affected

Huvudvärk

Drick mycket vatten och be din apotekare rekommendera en lämplig smärtstillande. Om huvudvärken fortsätter, informera din läkare

Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på tabletterna, tala med din läkare eller apotekare för vidare råd.

Who should not take bilastine?

Bilastine may not be suitable for everyone. Before you start taking bilastine it is important that your doctor knows:

  • Om du är gravid eller ammar.

  • If you have epilepsy.

  • Om du har en sällsynt ärftlig blodsjukdom som kallas porfyri.

  • Om du tar eller använder några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another antihistamine, or to any other medicine.

How to take bilastine

  • Read the leaflet before use. It contains important information about bilastine and its possible side effects.

  • Take bilastine exactly as prescribed.

    • Adults and children aged 12 years and over: Take one 20 mg tablet once daily. Swallow the tablet whole with water.

    • Children aged 6-11 years: May be prescribed 10 mg melt-in-the-mouth tablets or a liquid medicine. Follow the instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist.

  • Take bilastine on an empty stomach. Take it at least 1 hour before food or 2 hours after food. Food can make bilastine less effective.

  • Avoid fruit juice around the time of your dose. Do not drink fruit juice, especially grapefruit juice, for 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking bilastine, as it can reduce how well the medicine works.

  • If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. Make sure your stomach is empty when you take it. If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Få ut det mesta av din behandling

  • Many people only need to take an antihistamine when they have symptoms. Unless you are told otherwise, you should stop taking bilastine once your symptoms have eased.

  • Although bilastine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, it can still cause drowsiness in a few people. If this happens to you, do not drive and do not use tools or machines.

  • If you drink alcohol while you are on bilastine, be aware of its effects on you and do not drink more than moderate amounts. Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects from antihistamines.

  • If you are having an operation, or any treatment or tests (particularly if it is to test for an allergy), make sure you say that you are taking an antihistamine.

  • If you buy any medicines 'over the counter', check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with an antihistamine. This is because a number of other medicines can increase the risk of side effects. How to store bilastine tablets

  • Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

  • Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.

Vanliga frågor

How quickly does bilastine work?

Bilastine usually starts to relieve allergy symptoms within 1-2 hours of taking a dose. Its allergy-relieving effects usually last for 24 hours.

Can I take bilastine every day?

Yes. Bilastine is designed for regular daily use to help control allergy symptoms. Take it exactly as prescribed and do not exceed the recommended dose.

Can I take bilastine with other allergy medicines?

Bilastine can sometimes be used alongside other allergy treatments, such as steroid nasal sprays or allergy eye drops. However, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining it with other antihistamines.

Can I drink alcohol while taking bilastine?

Bilastine is not known to interact significantly with alcohol, but alcohol may increase drowsiness in some people. Take care until you know how the medicine affects you.

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.

Denna medicin är för dig. Ge den aldrig till andra människor även om deras tillstånd verkar vara detsamma som ditt.

Behåll inte föråldrade eller oönskade mediciner. Ta dem till ditt lokala apotek som kommer att ta hand om dem åt dig.

Om du har några frågor om denna medicin, fråga din apotekare.

Rapportera biverkningar av ett läkemedel eller vaccin

Om du upplever biverkningar kan du rapportera dem online via Yellow Card webbplats.

symptomkontroll

Osäker på att blanda mediciner?

Kontrollera möjliga interaktioner mellan läkemedel, kosttillskott och livsmedel innan du tar dem tillsammans.

Vanliga frågor

Can I take bilastine if I have epilepsy?

If you have epilepsy, it is important to inform your doctor before starting bilastine, as it may not be suitable for everyone with this condition.

Does bilastine make you sleepy?

Although bilastine is classified as a non-drowsy antihistamine, it can still cause sleepiness in a small number of people. If you experience drowsiness, you should not drive or operate machinery.

Is bilastine available over the counter?

Bilastine is available by prescription from a doctor or pharmacist.

Can I take bilastine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

It is important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as bilastine may not be suitable in these situations.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose of bilastine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, ensuring your stomach is empty. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

Can children under 12 years old take bilastine?

Children aged 6-11 years may be prescribed 10 mg melt-in-the-mouth tablets or a liquid medicine. Adults and children aged 12 years and over typically take a 20 mg tablet once daily. Always follow the specific instructions from your doctor or pharmacist for children.

Vidare läsning och referenser

Om författarenVisa fullständig biografi

Författarbild

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

Ansvarig för granskning av medicinbroschyrer – Konsult, Apotekare

BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS

Michael är en apotekare som arbetar i Midlands och South Yorkshire med mer än 20 års erfarenhet av att ge råd om läkemedel och medicinska tillstånd. Han har en stark bakgrund inom vårdutbildning och har producerat och levererat utbildningskurser för apoteksteam och personal inom vårdboenden, inklusive sjuksköterskor. Han har också bidragit till apoteksrådgivande styrelser för hantering av mindre allvarliga tillstånd i samhället.

Om recensenten

Författarbild

Sid Dajani

Sultan Dajani tog examen vid London School of Pharmacy 1994 och blev den yngsta valda medlemmen i Royal Pharmaceutical Society-rådet sedan dess grundande 1842.

Artikelhistorik

Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.

  • Next review due: 23 Dec 2027
  • 23 Dec 2024 | Senaste versionen

    Senast uppdaterad av

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Granskad av

    Sid Dajani
influensaberättigandekontroll

Fråga, dela, anslut.

Bläddra i diskussioner, ställ frågor och dela erfarenheter inom hundratals hälsorelaterade ämnen.

Anmäl dig till Patientens nyhetsbrev

Din veckovisa dos av tydliga, pålitliga hälsoråd - skrivna för att hjälpa dig känna dig informerad, självsäker och i kontroll.

Vänligen ange en giltig e-postadress

Genom att prenumerera accepterar du våra Sekretesspolicy. Du kan avsluta prenumerationen när som helst. Vi säljer aldrig dina uppgifter.