EPINASTINE HYDROCHLORIDE .5 mg/mL Solution/ Drops
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Histamine-1 Receptor Inhibitor class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
Where does this data come from?
🩺 Clinical
- It's focused on your eye symptoms, not your overall allergies. Epinastine blocks histamine — the chemical your immune system releases when you encounter an allergen like pollen — r...
- What exactly does this eye drop do — is it treating my allergies or just the symptoms?
- Every day is best. This medication is designed to prevent itching, not just relieve it after it starts. You should use one drop in each eye twice a day throughout your allergy seas...
- Do I need to use it every day, or only when my eyes are really itchy?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
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Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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0.1 mg / 1 mL
UNII F5UM2KM3W7
Benzalkonium chloride is a chemical compound that works as a preservative and antimicrobial agent in medications. It prevents bacterial and fungal growth in liquid formulations to keep the product safe during storage and use.
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UNII 7FLD91C86K
Edetate disodium is a chemical compound that binds and removes certain metal ions. In medicines, it acts as a preservative and stabilizer by preventing metals like calcium from interfering with the product's shelf life and consistency.
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UNII QTT17582CB
A strong acid used to adjust and maintain the proper pH level in liquid medicines, ensuring stability and preventing breakdown of active ingredients.
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UNII 451W47IQ8X
Sodium chloride is common table salt. It's used in medicines as a buffer to maintain proper pH, as a filler to add bulk, or to adjust the osmotic balance in liquid formulations.
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UNII 55X04QC32I
A strong alkaline chemical used to adjust and maintain the pH balance of liquid medicines. It helps keep the medicine stable and ensures it stays effective during storage.
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UNII 3980JIH2SW
A salt form of phosphoric acid that acts as a buffer and pH adjuster in medicines. It helps keep the product at the correct acidity level for stability and effectiveness.
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UNII 059QF0KO0R
Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.
7 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
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Can inactive ingredients matter?
💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per mL | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $14.330 | $71.65 / 5 ml |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $14.33 | $71.64 / 5 ml |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $14.26 | $71.32 / 5 ml |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epinastine Hydrochloride .5 mg/mLthis 70069-0008-01 | Somerset | 1 bottle | $14.330 | — | Availability likely | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70069-0008-10 | 10 CARTON in 1 CARTON (70069-008-10) / 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (70069-008-01) / 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE | — | — | 2016-09-14 | Active |
| 70069-0008-01 You're viewing this | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (70069-008-01) / 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE | $14.33 / mL | $71.65 | 2016-09-14 | Active |
In Medicaid, this is the most-dispensed pack of this product — about 100% of fills over the last four reported quarters. See all packs ↓
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 70069-0008-01?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of EPINASTINE HYDROCHLORIDE .5 mg/mL Solution/ Drops?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution is an H 1 histamine receptor antagonist indicated for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution is indicated for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage is one drop in each eye twice a day. The recommended dosage is one drop in each eye twice a day. Treatment should be continued throughout the period of exposure (i.e., until the pollen season is over or until exposure to the offending allergen is terminated), even when symptoms are absent.
💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths ▾
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Ophthalmic solution containing 0.5 mg/mL epinastine HCl. Solution containing 0.5 mg/mL epinastine HCl.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None None
⚠️ Warnings and Cautions ▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS To minimize the risk of contamination, do not touch dropper tip to any surface. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use. ( 5.1 ) Epinastine HCl should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation. ( 5.2 ) Remove contact lenses prior to instillation of epinastine HCl.( 5.2 )
5.1Contamination of Tip and Solution Patients should be instructed to avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye, surrounding structures, fingers, or any other surface in order to avoid contamination of the solution by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions. Bottle should be kept tightly closed when not in use.
5.2Use with Contact Lenses Patients should be advised not to wear a contact lens if their eye is red. Epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation. The preservative in epinastine HCl, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation of epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution and may be reinserted after 10 minutes following its administration.
5.3Topical Ophthalmic Use Only Epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution is for topical ophthalmic use only and not for injection or oral use.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common ocular adverse reactions (incidence occurring in approximately 1% to 10% of epinastine HCl-treated eyes were burning sensation in the eye, folliculosis, hyperemia, and pruritus. The most common non-ocular adverse reactions, occurring in 10% epinastine HCl-treated eyes, were infection (cold symptoms and upper respiratory infections). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Somerset Therapeutics, LLC at +1 800-417-9175 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most frequently reported ocular adverse reactions occurring in approximately 1 to 10% of patients were burning sensation in the eye, folliculosis, hyperemia, and pruritus. The most frequently reported non-ocular adverse reactions were infection (cold symptoms and upper respiratory infections), seen in approximately 10% of patients, and headache, rhinitis, sinusitis, increased cough, and pharyngitis, seen in approximately 1 to 3% of patients.
Some of these reactions were similar to the underlying disease being studied.
6.2Postmarketing Experience The following reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of epinastine HCl in clinical practice. Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. The reactions, which have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to epinastine HCl, or a combination of these factors, include: lacrimation increased.
👥 Use in Specific Populations ▾
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1Pregnancy: In an embryofetal developmental study in pregnant rats, maternal toxicity with no embryofetal effects was observed at an oral dose that was approximately 150,000 times the maximum recommended ocular human dose (MROHD) of 0.0014 mg/kg/day on a mg/kg basis. Total resorptions and abortion were observed in an embryofetal study in pregnant rabbits at an oral dose that was approximately 55,000 times the MROHD. In both studies, no drug-induced teratogenic effects were noted.
Epinastine reduced pup body weight gain following an oral dose to pregnant rats that was approximately 90,000 times the MROHD. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
8.3Nursing Mothers A study in lactating rats revealed excretion of epinastine in the breast milk. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution is administered to a nursing woman.
8.4Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 years have not been established.
8.5Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
8.4Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 years have not been established.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
8.5Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1Mechanism of Action Epinastine is a topically active, direct H 1 -receptor antagonist and an inhibitor of the release of histamine from the mast cell. Epinastine is selective for the histamine H 1 -receptor and has affinity for the histamine H 2 -receptor. Epinastine also possesses affinity for the ɑ 1 , ɑ 2 -, and 5-HT 2 -receptors.
12.3Pharmacokinetics Fourteen subjects, with allergic conjunctivitis, received one drop of epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution in each eye twice daily for seven days. On day seven, average maximum epinastine plasma concentrations of 0.04±0.014 ng/mL were reached after about two hours indicating low systemic exposure. While these concentrations represented an increase over those seen following a single dose, the day 1 and day 7 Area Under the Curve (AUC) values were unchanged indicating that there is no increase in systemic absorption with multiple dosing.
Epinastine is 64% bound to plasma proteins. The total systemic clearance is approximately 56 L/hr and the terminal plasma elimination half-life is about 12 hours. Epinastine is mainly excreted unchanged.
About 55% of an intravenous dose is recovered unchanged in the urine with about 30% in feces. Less than 10% is metabolized. The renal elimination is mainly via active tubular secretion.
🧬 Mechanism of Action ▾
12.1Mechanism of Action Epinastine is a topically active, direct H 1 -receptor antagonist and an inhibitor of the release of histamine from the mast cell. Epinastine is selective for the histamine H 1 -receptor and has affinity for the histamine H 2 -receptor. Epinastine also possesses affinity for the ɑ 1 , ɑ 2 -, and 5-HT 2 -receptors.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution 0.05% is supplied sterile in opaque white LDPE plastic bottles with dropper tips and white polypropylene caps as follows: 5 mL in 10 mL bottle; individually packaged NDC 70069- 008 -01 Storage: Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) (See USP Controlled Room Temperature). Keep bottle tightly closed and out of the reach of children.
📋 Description ▾
11 DESCRIPTION Epinastine HCl Ophthalmic Solution 0.05% is a clear, colorless, sterile isotonic solution containing epinastine HCl, an antihistamine and an inhibitor of histamine release from the mast cell for topical administration to the eyes. Epinastine HCl is represented by the following structural formula: C 16 H 15 N 3 HCl Mol. Wt.
285.78 Chemical Name: 3-Amino-9,13b-dihydro-1H-dibenz[c,f]imidazo [1,5-a]azepine hydrochloride Each mL contains: Active: epinastine HCl 0.05% (0.5 mg/mL) equivalent to epinastine 0.044% (0.44 mg/mL); Preservative: benzalkonium chloride 0.01%; Inactives: edetate disodium; water for injection; sodium chloride; sodium phosphate, monobasic; and sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH). Epinastine HCl has a pH of approximately 7 and an osmolality range of 250 to 310 mOsm/kg. Molecular Structure
💬 Information for Patients ▾
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
17.1Sterility of Dropper Tip Patients should be advised not to touch dropper tip to any surface, as this may contaminate the contents [ see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, (5.1)]
17.2Concomitant Use of Contact Lenses Patients should be advised not to wear a contact lens if their eye is red. Patients should be advised that epinastine HCl should not be used to treat contact lens-related irritation. Patients should also be advised to remove contact lenses prior to instillation of epinastine HCl.
The preservative in epinastine HCl ophthalmic solution, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Lenses may be reinserted after 10 minutes following administration of epinastine HCl.
17.3Topical Ophthalmic Use Only For topical ophthalmic administration only.