Bilastine

1 medicine

Bilastine is a non-sedating antihistamine for allergic rhinitis and hives. It must be taken away from food and fruit juice, which can cut its absorption by around a third.

Ilaxten

Bilastine

20/40mg

Ilaxten is a allergies medication containing Bilastine, available as 20/40mg tablets.

from $1.09 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Bilastine (the antihistamine in Ilaxten) blocks histamine at H1 receptors, easing allergy symptoms without the drowsiness older antihistamines cause at normal doses.
  • Take it on an empty stomach, at least an hour before or two hours after food or fruit juice; food and juices such as grapefruit, orange or apple can cut its absorption by around a third.
  • It is generally non-sedating, but avoid alcohol and take care with driving until you know how it affects you, especially above the standard dose.
  • Seek urgent care for facial or throat swelling, a rapidly spreading rash, or difficulty breathing, which point to a serious allergic reaction rather than the condition bilastine treats.

What bilastine treats

Bilastine treats allergic rhinitis, the sneezing, runny or blocked nose and itchy eyes caused by seasonal pollen or year-round allergens such as dust mites, and urticaria, the itchy raised welts of an allergic skin reaction. It only treats the symptoms of these conditions, not the underlying allergy, and it will not help a cold or a non-allergic rash.

How bilastine works

Allergens trigger immune cells to release histamine, which binds H1 receptors and causes the itching, swelling and mucus production of an allergic reaction. Bilastine blocks these receptors so histamine cannot deliver its signal, calming the itching, sneezing and swelling. It crosses into the brain poorly compared with older antihistamines, which is why it causes little sedation at the recommended dose.

Before you take it

  • Tell your prescriber if you have kidney problems, since bilastine is cleared largely unchanged by the kidneys and may need a lower dose or longer gap between doses.
  • Avoid taking it with ketoconazole, erythromycin, or other drugs that block the transporters that clear bilastine, since these can raise its blood levels.
  • Discuss use in pregnancy and breastfeeding with your prescriber, since experience with bilastine in these situations is limited.
  • Take it apart from food, fruit juice and other antihistamines unless told otherwise.

Side effects

Common effects are headache, mild drowsiness, dry mouth, and fatigue.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for:

  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
  • A rapidly spreading rash or hives that worsen instead of improving.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.

Safety essentials

  • Take bilastine apart from food and fruit juice: taking it with a meal or juice can cut how much of the dose you absorb by around a third, weakening its effect.
  • Do not exceed the prescribed dose; higher-than-recommended doses have been linked to heart-rhythm changes, particularly when combined with drugs that raise bilastine levels.
  • If your kidney function is reduced, your dose needs adjusting, since the kidneys clear most of the drug unchanged.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.