Alamast: Full Drug Profile

Alamast - General Information

Alamast is an antiallergic agent. Alamast potassium is a slightly yellow powder soluble in water; as an ophthalmic aqueous sterile solution is used for the prevention of itching of the eyes caused by allergies such as hay fever, and allergic conjunctivitis. Alamast is potentially useful for prophylaxis of pulmonary hypersensitivity reactions to drugs such as paclitaxel.

Pharmacology of Alamast

Alamast is used for the prophylactic treatment of itching of the eye associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Alamast potassium is a mast cell stabilizer that inhibits the in vivo Type I immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Alamast inhibits the antigen-induced release of inflammatory mediators (e.g., histamine, leukotriene C4, D4, E4) from human mast cells. Allergic reactions lead to cell-degranulation and the release of histamine (and other chemical mediators) from the mast cell or basophil. Once released, histamine can react with local or widespread tissues through histamine receptors. Histamine, acting on H₁-receptors, produces pruritis, vasodilatation, Alamast is a histamine H1 antagonist. It competes with histamine for the normal H₁-receptor sites on effector cells of blood vessels. It provides effective, temporary relief of watery and itchy eyes.

Alamast for patients

To prevent contaminating the dropper tip and solution, do not touch the eyelids or surrounding areas with the dropper tip. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if their eyes are red. ALAMAST should not be used to treat contact lens related irritation. The preservative in ALAMAST, lauralkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Patients who wear soft contact lenses and whose eyes are not red should be instructed to wait at least ten minutes after instilling ALAMAST before they insert their contact lenses.

Alamast Interactions

No specific information available.

Alamast Contraindications

ALAMAST ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this product.

Additional information about Alamast

Alamast Indication

For the prevention of itching of the eyes caused by allergies such as hay fever, and allergic conjunctivitis

Mechanism Of Action

Alamast binds to the histamine H1 receptor. This blocks the action of endogenous histamine, which subsequently leads to temporary relief of the negative symptoms brought on by histamine. Alamast has also been observed to block antigen-stimulated calcium ion influx into mast cells. Alamast inhibits the chemotaxis of eosinophils into ocular tissue, and prevents inflammatory mediator release from human eosinophils.

Generic Name

Pemirolast

Synonyms

Pemirolastum [Inn-Latin]; Pemirolast Potassium; Pemiroplast Potassium

Drug Category

Anti-Allergic Agents; Ophthalmics; Antipruritics; Histamine Antagonists

Drug Type

Small Molecule; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Pemirolast

Alamast;

Biotransformation

Hepatic (Ophthalmic)

Half Life

4.5 hours (Ophthalmic)

Dosage Forms of Alamast

Solution / drops Ophthalmic

Chemical IUPAC Name

9-methyl-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrido[2,1-b]pyrimidin-4-one

Chemical Formula

C10H8N6O

Organisms Affected

Humans and other mammals