How does ebastine work?
Ebastine has an anti-allergic effect by inhibiting the activation of histamine H1 receptors by histamine. In the course of allergic reactions, this messenger substance is released in large quantities. By docking at its binding sites, it triggers allergic symptoms such as sneezing and itching.
By occupying the histamine binding sites, ebastine prevents the allergic signal from being transmitted – allergy symptoms improve.
As a second-generation antihistamine, the active ingredient barely crosses the blood-brain barrier. Ebastine therefore causes side effects such as fatigue and drowsiness less frequently than older antihistamines. Weight gain is also not known to occur.
In contrast, first-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier. Thus, they are able to block central histamine receptors – with consequences such as fatigue, increased appetite, and weight gain.
What are the side effects of ebastine?
How does ebastine work?
Ebastine has an anti-allergic effect by inhibiting the activation of histamine H1 receptors by histamine. In the course of allergic reactions, this messenger substance is released in large quantities. By docking at its binding sites, it triggers allergic symptoms such as sneezing and itching.
By occupying the histamine binding sites, ebastine prevents the allergic signal from being transmitted – allergy symptoms improve.
As a second-generation antihistamine, the active ingredient barely crosses the blood-brain barrier. Ebastine therefore causes side effects such as fatigue and drowsiness less frequently than older antihistamines. Weight gain is also not known to occur.
In contrast, first-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier. Thus, they are able to block central histamine receptors – with consequences such as fatigue, increased appetite, and weight gain.
What are the side effects of ebastine?
If you suffer from allergy or hives and there is nothing wrong with it, your doctor may prescribe Ebastine for a longer time.
How to take ebastine
Ebastine is available in Germany in the form of film-coated tablets and melting tablets. No medicines containing ebastine are registered in Austria or Switzerland.
- Allergic rhinitis: the recommended dosage for adults and children aged twelve years and older is ten milligrams of ebastine once daily. In cases of severe or year-round symptoms, this amount may be increased to 20 milligrams.
- Hives: adults with hives usually take ten milligrams of ebastine once daily. Ebastine is not suitable for children and adolescents under 18 years of age (missing data).
It is best to take the film-coated tablets unchewed with a glass of water – either with a meal or independently.
Open the blister pack with care and without crushing the tablet. This is very thin and fragile.
When should you not take ebastine?
In general, do not use Ebastine…
- if you are hypersensitive or allergic to the active substance or to any of the other ingredients of the medicine
- in children under twelve years of age (applies to allergic rhinitis)
- in children and adolescents under 18 years of age (applies to hives)
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding
These drug interactions may occur with ebastine
The following people should use ebastine with great caution:
- patients with congenital QT syndrome (a rare condition in which the heart waveform is altered on the ECG)
- Patients with low potassium levels (hypokalemia).
- Patients taking certain medications at the same time, e.g., ketoconazole or itraconazole (antifungals), erythromycin or clarythromycin (antibiotics)
Interactions with alcohol have not been observed. The same applies to warfarin (anticoagulant), theophylline (reserve for COPD), diazepam (sedative), and cimetidine (heartburn medicine).
Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you use. This also applies to over-the-counter as well as herbal preparations. For more information about possible drug interactions, see the package insert for your ebastine preparation.
How to get medicines containing ebastine
Ebastine is not available without a prescription in Germany; it requires a prescription. It must therefore be prescribed by a doctor.
There are currently no allergy medicines with this active ingredient in Austria and Switzerland.
