Home Drug Guide Alcaftadine

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Alcaftadine

Brand Names Lastacaft

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiallergic (Antihistamine)

Pharmacological: H1 histamine receptor antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Allergic conjunctivitis

Mechanism of Action

Alcaftadine is an H1 histamine receptor antagonist that prevents histamine from binding to H1 receptors on conjunctival tissues, thereby reducing allergic response symptoms such as redness, itching, and swelling.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: One drop in the affected eye(s) once daily.

Pediatric: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below 2 years have not been established.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustments required, but caution advised due to potential comorbidities.

Renal Impairment: No specific dosage adjustments recommended.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific data; use with caution.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Minimal systemic absorption; primarily local action.

Distribution: Limited data; presumed to be localized in ocular tissues.

Metabolism: Not fully characterized; primarily topical application.

Excretion: Not well defined; systemic levels are low.

Half Life: Approximate ocular tissue half-life not specified; systemic half-life is brief due to minimal absorption.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to alcaftadine or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to other antihistamines.
  • Use with caution in patients with active ocular infections; symptom relief may mask underlying conditions.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Eye discomfort or stinging (Uncommon)
  • Unpleasant taste in mouth (Uncommon)
  • Other allergic conjunctivitis symptoms like redness or itching (Uncommon)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Eye pain, swelling, or vision changes (Rare)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Potential enhanced ocular dryness with other topical ophthalmic agents.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for improvement in allergic symptoms and for any adverse reactions.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection, manifestation of allergic conjunctivitis
  • Risk for injury related to visual disturbances

Implementation: Administer one drop in each affected eye once daily, instruct on proper instillation technique.

Evaluation: Assess symptom relief and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct patient on proper eye drop administration technique.
  • Advise to avoid touching the tip of the dropper to any surface.
  • Inform about possible transient visual disturbances or taste disturbances.
  • Emphasize adherence to prescribed dosage.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: None known.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Localized irritation, systemic antihistamine effects (rare).

Treatment: Symptomatic treatment; ocular irrigation if necessary.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).

Stability: Stable under recommended conditions; discard opened bottles after 4 weeks.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.