Bilastine Dosage and Usage for Allergic Conditions
For allergic conditions, bilastine should be administered at a dose of 20 mg once daily in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older, and 10 mg once daily in children aged 6 to <12 years. 1
Dosage Recommendations
Adults and Adolescents (≥12 years):
- Standard dose: 20 mg once daily
- Timing: Should not be administered at meal times to avoid interference with absorption 2
- Duration: Can be used for both short-term and long-term management of allergic conditions
Children (6 to <12 years):
Indications
Bilastine is indicated for:
Administration Guidelines
- Take on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals)
- No dosage adjustments required in:
- Elderly patients
- Patients with renal impairment
- Patients with hepatic impairment 1
Efficacy Profile
Bilastine demonstrates:
- Rapid onset of action (within 1 hour)
- Long duration of action (24 hours), supporting once-daily dosing
- Effective relief of nasal symptoms (obstruction, rhinorrhea, itching, sneezing)
- Effective relief of non-nasal symptoms (ocular itching, tearing, ocular redness) 4, 5
For chronic urticaria, bilastine reduces:
- Itching
- Development of papules (improvement begins from the second day of treatment) 2
Clinical Considerations
Advantages of Bilastine
- Non-sedating second-generation antihistamine
- Minimal central nervous system penetration
- No significant metabolism in the body
- No interaction with cytochrome P450 system, limiting drug-drug interactions
- No cardiotoxic effects at therapeutic doses 2, 1
Common Side Effects
- Headache (most frequent adverse effect)
- Similar adverse event profile to placebo regarding drowsiness and changes in heart rate 2
Placement in Therapy
Bilastine meets the criteria for an optimal oral H1-antihistamine according to ARIA guidelines 4:
- For mild allergic rhinitis symptoms, bilastine can be used as first-line therapy
- For moderate-to-severe symptoms, it may be used in combination with intranasal corticosteroids 6
Important Precautions
- Avoid concomitant administration with food to ensure optimal absorption
- Although bilastine has minimal sedative properties, patients should be advised about the potential for drowsiness, especially when first starting treatment
- Not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age
Bilastine represents a suitable option for the treatment of allergic conditions across different age groups, with a favorable efficacy and safety profile comparable to other second-generation antihistamines.