BILCOT-20 TAB

Bilcot-20 Tablets, manufactured/marketed by Accott Healthcare. The box clearly states:

Bilastine Tablets 20 mg

So, unlike Bilcot-M, this product contains only bilastine. It does not contain montelukast.

Bilcot-20 — composition

ComponentAmount per tabletClassBilastine20 mgSecond-generation H1 antihistamineExcipientsq.s.Inactive tablet ingredients

The pack shown is marked 10 × 10 tablets, i.e. 100 tablets in the full box.

1. What is bilastine?

Bilastine is a second-generation H1 antihistamine used to control allergic symptoms.

When the body encounters an allergen—such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander or other triggers—it can release histamine.

Histamine binds to H1 receptors and produces symptoms such as:

• Sneezing

• Runny nose

• Nasal itching

• Eye itching

• Watery eyes

• Skin itching

• Hives/urticaria

Bilastine blocks the H1 histamine receptor, reducing these symptoms.

In simple terms:

Allergen → histamine release → allergy symptoms

Bilastine → blocks H1 receptors → reduces allergy symptoms

2. What is Bilcot-20 used for?

Bilastine 20 mg is primarily used for:

Allergic rhinitis

It can relieve:

• 🤧 Sneezing

• 👃 Runny nose

• 👃 Nasal itching

• 👃 Nasal irritation

• 👁️ Watery eyes

• 👁️ Itchy eyes

This can include both:

• Seasonal allergic rhinitis — for example, pollen-related allergy

• Perennial allergic rhinitis — allergy occurring throughout the year

Urticaria (hives)

Bilastine can also reduce symptoms of urticaria, including:

• Raised itchy welts

• Skin itching

• Redness associated with hives

3. Is Bilcot-20 a steroid?

No.

Bilastine is not a steroid.

It is an antihistamine.

It is also not an antibiotic and does not kill bacteria.

4. Is it a painkiller?

No.

Bilcot-20 doesn't directly work as a painkiller like paracetamol or aceclofenac.

Its purpose is to control allergic symptoms.

For example:

Bilcot-20 → allergy

Chymocott → pain/inflammation

Cefott products → bacterial infection

5. How quickly does it work?

Bilastine is relatively rapid-acting.

After taking a dose, antihistamine activity generally begins within about 1–2 hours, although the exact experience varies between individuals.

It is intended to provide symptom control for approximately 24 hours, which is why the usual adult regimen is once daily.

6. Usual dose

For adults and adolescents 12 years and older, the usual bilastine dose is:

20 mg once daily

So one Bilcot-20 tablet corresponds to the usual adult daily strength.

However, the actual prescription should be followed, particularly for children or people with other medical conditions.

Do not take two tablets simply because your symptoms are severe unless your doctor specifically tells you to.

7. Very important: food interaction

This is one of the most important instructions for bilastine.

Food can significantly reduce the amount of bilastine absorbed.

Therefore, bilastine 20 mg is generally taken:

1 hour before food

or

2 hours after food

The same precaution applies to fruit juice.

Fruit juices—including grapefruit, orange and apple juice—can reduce bilastine absorption.

Example

If you take Bilcot-20 at 7:00 AM:

7:00 AM → Bilcot-20

8:00 AM → breakfast

Alternatively, if you have eaten breakfast at 7:00 AM, wait approximately 2 hours before taking it.

Water is the preferred drink for taking the tablet.

8. Side effects

Bilastine is generally considered a relatively non-sedating antihistamine, but side effects can still occur.

Possible effects include:

• Headache

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Abdominal discomfort

Not everyone experiences these effects.

Drowsiness

Compared with older antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine, bilastine generally has less sedative potential.

However, some people can still become sleepy or dizzy.

When taking it for the first time, see how it affects you before driving or operating machinery.

9. Allergic reaction to bilastine

Although uncommon, a medicine itself can cause an allergic reaction.

Seek urgent medical attention if you develop:

• Difficulty breathing

• Swelling of lips/tongue/throat

• Severe rash

• Fainting

• Rapidly worsening allergic symptoms

10. Bilcot-20 vs Bilcot-M

You previously showed Bilcot-M, so this distinction is important.

Bilcot-20

Bilastine 20 mg

→ Antihistamine only

Bilcot-M

Bilastine + Montelukast

→ Antihistamine + leukotriene receptor antagonist

Therefore:

Bilcot-20 is NOT the same as Bilcot-M.

If your doctor prescribed Bilcot-M, don't replace it with Bilcot-20 without checking whether montelukast is still required.

11. Why might a doctor choose Bilcot-20 instead of Bilcot-M?

For straightforward allergic rhinitis or urticaria, an antihistamine such as bilastine may be sufficient.

Montelukast is a separate medicine that acts on leukotrienes and has additional safety considerations, including neuropsychiatric adverse effects.

Therefore, a doctor may choose bilastine alone when an antihistamine is sufficient.

12. Bilcot-20 compared with common antihistamines

Bilastine belongs to the newer generation of antihistamines.

Compared with older antihistamines, it generally has:

• Longer duration of action

• Less sedation

• Less impairment of alertness for many patients

• Once-daily dosing

However, less sedating does not mean completely non-sedating.

13. Important interactions

Tell your doctor/pharmacist about your other medicines.

One particularly important consideration is ketoconazole and certain other medicines that can affect bilastine concentrations.

Also, as mentioned above, food and fruit juice can substantially reduce bilastine absorption.

If you take several prescription medicines, a pharmacist can check the complete combination.

14. Kidney problems

People with significant kidney impairment should tell their doctor before using bilastine, particularly if they are also taking medicines that inhibit certain drug-transport systems.

The prescriber can determine whether bilastine is appropriate and whether any adjustment or alternative is necessary.

15. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, discuss the medicine with your doctor before taking it.

The fact that a medicine is an antihistamine does not automatically mean that it is appropriate for everyone during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Comparison with the medicines you've shownProductCompositionMain purposeBilcot-20Bilastine 20 mgAllergy symptomsBilcot-MBilastine + MontelukastAllergy/allergic rhinitisChymocottTrypsin + Chymotrypsin + Aceclofenac + ParacetamolPain, inflammation, swellingCefott-100Cefixime 100 mgBacterial infectionCefott-200Cefixime 200 mgBacterial infectionCefott-200 LBCefixime 200 mg + Lactic Acid BacillusBacterial infection + probioticCefott-OCefixime 200 mg + Ofloxacin 200 mgBacterial infectionCalciom 500Calcium carbonate + Vitamin D3Calcium/bone supportCartidale-AdvanceMSM + glucosamine + rosehip + turmeric + BoswelliaJoint support

Bottom line

Bilcot-20 = Bilastine 20 mg, a once-daily second-generation antihistamine used mainly for allergic rhinitis and urticaria. It is not an antibiotic, steroid or painkiller.

The most important practical instruction is to take bilastine away from food and fruit juice—generally 1 hour before or 2 hours after—because food can reduce its absorption.