Bentifen
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Bentifen 0.25 mg/ml, eye drops, solution
Ketotifen
<Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
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Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
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If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
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This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
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If you get any side effets, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.>
<Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse have told you.
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Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
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Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
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If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
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You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse.>
<[To be completed nationally]>
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Bentifen is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Bentifen
3. How to use Bentifen
4. Possible side effects
How to store Bentifen
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Bentifen is and what it is used for
Bentifen contains the active substance ketotifen, which is an anti-allergic substance. Bentifen is used to treat eye symptoms of hay fever.
<You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after [to be completed nationally] days.>
What you need to know before you use Bentifen
Do not use Bentifen
If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to ketotifen or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Other medicines and Bentifen
If you need to apply any other medicinal products to your eyes together with Bentifen, wait at least 5 minutes between applying each product.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is particularly important for medicines which are used to treat:
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depression
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allergy (e.g. antihistamines)
Bentifen with food, drink and alcohol
Bentifen may increase the effect of alcohol.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
Bentifen can be used during breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Bentifen may cause blurred vision or drowsiness. If this happens to you, wait until this has cleared before driving or operating machinery.
Bentifen contains benzalkonium chloride
Bentifen contains Benzalkonium chloride and may cause eye irritation.
If you wear soft contact lenses you should remove them before using Bentifen as it can discolour your soft contact lenses. You should wait at least 15 minutes after using Bentifen before reinserting your contact lenses into your eyes.
How to use Bentifen
<Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist have told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.>
<Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse have told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.>
The recommended dose for adults, elderly and children (age 3 and older) is one drop into the affected eye(s) twice a day (in the morning and evening).
Instructions for use
Wash your hands.
Open the bottle. Do not touch the tip after opening the bottle.
Lean your head back (Fig. 1).
Pull down your lower eyelid with your finger and hold the bottle in your other hand. Squeeze the bottle so that one drop falls into the eye (Fig. 2).
Close your eyes and press the tip of one finger against the corner of the eye for around 1‑2 minutes. This will prevent the drop running through the tear duct into your throat and most of the drop will remain in the eye (Fig. 3). If necessary repeat steps 3 to 5 with your other eye.
Close the bottle after use.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
If you use more Bentifen than you should
There is no danger if you have accidentally taken Bentifen by mouth or if you have used more than one drop in the eye. If you have any doubt contact your doctor for advice.
If you forget to use Bentifen
If you forget to use Bentifen you should treat your eyes as soon as you remember. Then continue with your normal routine.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects have been reported.
Common (affecting less than 1 in every 10 patients)
eye irritation or pain
inflammation in the eye
Uncommon (affecting less than 1 in every 100 patients)
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blurred vision when putting drops on the eye
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dry eye
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eyelid disorder
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conjunctivitis
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increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
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visible bleeding in white of eye
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headache
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drowsiness
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rash (which may also itch)
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eczema (itchy, red, burning rash)
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dry mouth
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allergic reaction (including swelling of the face and eyelids) and increase in severity of existing allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema
Reportingof side effects
If you getany side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effectsnot listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Bentifen
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
The bottle is not sterile itself, but its contents are sterile until the bottle is opened.
After opening the bottle, the eye drops can only be stored for 4 weeks.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the carton and bottle after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of th pack and other information
What Bentifen contains
The active substance is ketotifen (as fumarate). Each ml contains 0.345 mg ketotifen fumarate corresponding to 0.25 mg ketotifen.
The other ingredients are glycerol (E422), sodium hydroxide (E524), water for injections and benzalkonium chloride.
What Bentifen looks like and contents of the pack
Bentifen is a clear, colourless to faint yellow solution. The solution is available in a pack containing one bottle of 5 ml.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer:
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
<[To be completed nationally]>
Manufacturer:
EXCELVISION, 27 rue de la Lombardière, 07100 Annonay, France.
[Or only for Italy]
S.A. Alcon-Couvreur N.V, Rijksweg 14, 2870 Puurs, Belgium
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
France |
Bentifen 0,25 mg/ml, collyre en solution |
Italy |
Bentifen 0,025% collirio soluzione, 1 flacone da 5 ml |
Portugal |
Bentifen 0,25 mg/ml colírio, solução |
Spain |
Bentifen colirio |
Sweden |
Bentifen 0,25 mg/ml, ögondroppar, lösning |
This leaflet was last revised in 2016-04-22
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