Key takeaways
Epinastine (formerly branded as Elestat) and emedastine (formerly branded as Emadine) are both antihistamine eye drop medications used to treat allergy-related eye symptoms, such as itchiness and redness. However, there are several differences between the two. Epinastine is still available as a generic prescription medication, while emedastine has been discontinued in the U.S. since 2019 for business reasons, not safety concerns. Epinastine is used twice a day and is approved for use in children as young as 2 years old, whereas emedastine's specific dosing and age recommendations are not detailed due to its discontinuation. Epinastine works as both an antihistamine and a mast cell stabilizer, while emedastine functions solely as an antihistamine. Common side effects of epinastine include a burning feeling in the eye and eye redness, while emedastine was noted for having few side effects. If you need an alternative to emedastine, over-the-counter options like olopatadine (Pataday) and ketotifen (Zaditor) are available.
