How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Ketotifen belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines. Ketotifen eye drops are used to treat the signs and symptoms of a condition called allergic conjunctivitis (an allergic reaction affecting the eyes). Signs and symptoms include itchy eyes, red eyes, and swelling of the eyes or eyelids.
Ketotifen works by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body during an allergic reaction. It also works by preventing the release of natural chemicals from cells in the body (mast cells) involved in an allergic reaction. Ketotifen eye drops work within a few minutes after use.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Multi-Dose Containers (With Preservative)
Each mL of ophthalmic solution contains 0.345 mg ketotifen fumarate equivalent to 0.25 mg ketotifen. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride 0.01%, glycerol, hydrochloric acid/sodium hydroxide, and purified water.
How should I use this medication?
The usual recommended dose for adults and children over 3 years old is one drop in the affected eye(s) every 8 to 12 hours.
If you are using ketotifen eye drops with other eye medications, wait at least 5 minutes between each medication.
Do not use ketotifen eye drops while wearing soft contact lenses since they contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride. If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before instilling the drops, and wait at least 15 minutes before putting your lenses back in.
Before using the eye drops, wash your hands thoroughly. Follow your doctor or pharmacist's instructions on how to use the eye drops. Do not allow the eye dropper to touch any surface. This could contaminate the dropper and lead to an eye infection. After using the drops, gently close your eye and press lightly on the inner corner where your eye meets your nose for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps keep the medicine in your eye. Keep the bottle tightly closed when you are not using it.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, instill it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children. After opening, the eye drops can only be stored for 4 weeks.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you are:
- allergic to ketotifen or any ingredients of the medication.
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- being sensitive to light
- burning or stinging in the eyes
- dilated pupils
- drowsiness
- dry eyes
- dry mouth
- eyelid inflammation
- headache
- itchy eyes
- nasal congestion
- red eyes
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- changes in eyelid
- signs of a corneal ulcer (e.g., inflammation or irritation of the cornea, red eyes, excess tears or other discharge from your eye)
- signs of an abnormally fast heartbeat (e.g., dizziness, light headedness, shortness of breath, racing heart)
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of an allergic reaction (e.g., difficulty swallowing or breathing, wheezing, feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up, hives or rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Contact lenses: If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before instilling the drops, and wait at least 15 minutes before putting your lenses back in. If your eyes become red, take out your lenses and consult your eye doctor.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if ketotifen passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children under 3 years of age.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Zaditor
