Lastacaft

Generic Name: Alcaftadine
Class: Antiallergic Agents
Chemical Name: 6,11-dihydro-11-(1-methyl-4-piperidinylidene)-5H-imidazo[2,1-b] [3] benzazepine-3-carboxaldehyde
Molecular Formula: C₁₉H₂₁N₃O
CAS Number: 147084-10-4

Introduction

Histamine H₁-receptor antagonist.^{1 3}

Uses for Lastacaft

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Prevention of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.^{1 3 4}

Lastacaft Dosage and Administration

Administration

Apply topically to the eye as an ophthalmic solution.¹ For topical ophthalmic use only.¹

Ophthalmic Administration

Remove contact lenses prior to each dose (since benzalkonium chloride preservative may be absorbed by soft lenses); may reinsert lenses after 10 minutes following administration if eyes are not red.¹

Avoid contamination of the solution container.¹

Dosage

Pediatric Patients

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Ophthalmic

Children ≥2 years of age: 1 drop of a 0.25% solution in each eye once daily.¹

Adults

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Ophthalmic

1 drop of a 0.25% solution in each eye once daily.¹

Special Populations

No special population recommendations at this time.¹

Cautions for Lastacaft

Contraindications

• 
  

  Manufacturer states none known.¹

  
  

Warnings/Precautions

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category B.¹

Lactation

Not known whether alcaftadine is distributed into milk.¹ Use with caution.¹

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in children <2 years of age.¹ Safety evaluated in children ≥3 years of age;^{3 9} efficacy in children 2–9 years of age extrapolated from demonstrated efficacy in adults and children ≥10 years of age.⁹

Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety and efficacy relative to younger patients.¹

Common Adverse Effects

Ocular effects: Irritation, burning, and/or stinging upon instillation;^{1 3} redness;^{1 3} pruritus.^{1 3}

Nonocular effects: Nasopharyngitis,^{1 3} headache,^{1 3} influenza.^{1 3}

Interactions for Lastacaft

No formal drug interaction studies to date.³

Not metabolized by CYP enzymes; does not substantially inhibit major CYP enzymes in vitro.¹

Lastacaft Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Appears rapidly in systemic circulation following topical application to eye.^{1 3} Peak plasma concentrations of alcaftadine and its active metabolite occur at a median of 15 minutes and at 1 hour, respectively, after administration.¹

Onset

Rapid; effect on ocular itching apparent at 3 minutes after conjunctival antigen challenge.^{3 4}

Duration

Effect on ocular itching shown to persist for 16 hours.^{1 3 4}

Distribution

Extent

Not known whether distributed into milk.¹

Plasma Protein Binding

Alcaftadine: About 39%.¹

Carboxylic acid metabolite: About 63%.¹

Elimination

Metabolism

Metabolized by cytosolic, non-CYP enzymes to an active carboxylic acid metabolite.¹

Elimination Route

Carboxylic acid metabolite is eliminated mainly in urine (based on data for oral alcaftadine).¹

Half-life

Carboxylic acid metabolite: About 2 hours.¹

Plasma concentrations of alcaftadine and carboxylic acid metabolite are below limit of quantitation by 3 and 12 hours, respectively, after administration of alcaftadine ophthalmic solution.¹

Stability

Storage

Ophthalmic

Solution

15–25°C.¹

ActionsActions

• 
  

  Histamine H₁-receptor antagonist.^{1 3}

  
  


• 
  

  Inhibits release of mediators (e.g., histamine) from cells involved in hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., mast cells) and decreases chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils.^{1 3}

  
  

Advice to Patients

• 
  

  Importance of learning and adhering to proper administration techniques to avoid contamination of the solution.¹ Keep dropper bottle tightly closed when not in use.¹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of delaying insertion of contact lenses for ≥10 minutes after alcaftadine instillation to prevent absorption of benzalkonium chloride by soft lenses; do not wear contact lenses if eyes are red.¹

  
  


• 
  

  Not indicated for contact lens-related ocular irritation.¹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.¹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.¹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.¹ (See Cautions.)

  
  

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Alcaftadine

Routes	Dosage Forms	Strengths	Brand Names	Manufacturer
Ophthalmic	Solution	0.25%	Lastacaft	Allergan

Disclaimer

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com represent that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com do not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2011, Selected Revisions May 06, 2011. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

References

1. Allergan. Lastacaft (alcaftadine) ophthalmic solution 0.25% prescribing information. Irvine, CA; 2010 Sep.

2. del Cuvillo A, Sastre J, Montoro J et al. Allergic conjunctivitis and H1 antihistamines. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2009; 19 Suppl 1:11-8. [PubMed 19476049]

3. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: Application number 22-134 (alcaftadine ophthalmic solution): Clinical review. From FDA website.

4. Torkildsen G, Shedden A. The safety and efficacy of alcaftadine 0.25% ophthalmic solution for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Curr Med Res Opin. 2011; 27:623-31. [PubMed 21250860]

5. Ciprandi G, Buscaglia S, Cerqueti PM et al. Drug treatment of allergic conjunctivitis: a review of the evidence. Drugs. 1992; 43:154-76. [IDIS 360840] [PubMed 1372215]

6. Morrow GL, Abbott RL. Conjunctivitis. Am Fam Physician. 1998; 57:735-46. [IDIS 418448] [PubMed 9490996]

7. Titi MJ. A critical look at ocular allergy drugs. Am Fam Physician. 1996; 53:2637-42. [IDIS 367250] [PubMed 8644576]

8. Galindez OA, Kaufman HE. Coping with the itchy-burnies: the management of allergic conjunctivitis. Ophthalmology. 1996; 103:1335-6. [IDIS 373485] [PubMed 8841290]

9. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: Application number 22-134 (alcaftadine ophthalmic solution): Office director memo. From FDA website.

More Lastacaft resources

• Lastacaft Side Effects (in more detail)
• Lastacaft Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Lastacaft Support Group
• 7 Reviews for Lastacaft - Add your own review/rating

• Lastacaft Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Lastacaft Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Lastacaft Drops MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Lastacaft Consumer Overview

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