ketotifen
Zaditor (ketotifen) is an antihistamine eye drop that's available over the counter for allergy-related itchy eyes. It works by blocking histamine and stopping your body from releasing chemicals that cause allergy symptoms. Adults and children can use Zaditor (ketotifen). The typical dosage is one drop into the affected eye(s) twice daily. Side effects can include headache, blurry vision, and dry eyes.
What is Zaditor (ketotifen)?
What is Zaditor (ketotifen) used for?
- Allergy-related itchy eyes
How Zaditor (ketotifen) works
Zaditor (ketotifen) is an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer. It works by stopping your body from reacting to substances that can irritate the eye.
More specifically, Zaditor (ketotifen) blocks histamine, a chemical that gets released in the body as a result of exposure to certain allergens. It also prevents other chemicals that cause allergy symptoms from being released from certain cells in your body called mast cells.
By blocking these chemicals, Zaditor (ketotifen) relieves itchy eyes from allergies.
Drug facts
Side effects of Zaditor (ketotifen)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Rash
- Dry eye
Less Common Side Effects
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Eyes more sensitive to light
- Eye pain
- Eye itching
- Blurry vision
- Sore throat
The following Zaditor (ketotifen) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Eye redness and swelling
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Burning or stinging of eyes
eyelid disorder
eye sensitivity to light
fever, tiredness, achiness, and sore throat
increase in size of pupils
tearing.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Zaditor (ketotifen)
Pros
- Works within 15 minutes to relieve itchy eyes
- Available over the counter
- Can use in children age 3 or older
- Only need to use 1 drop twice a day
Cons
- Won't treat an eye infection
- Shouldn't be used for irritation caused by contact lenses
- Can only be used for a short period of time
- Need to take your contact lens out before placing the eye drop
Pharmacist tips for Zaditor (ketotifen)
- Avoid getting the eye dropper tip dirty. If the tip gets dirty, bacteria could grow on it and get into your eye the next time you use the eye drops. This might raise your risk for an eye infection. Keep the dropper tip clean, and don't let it touch your eyelids, eyes, or any surfaces.
- Remove your contact lenses before each time you use Zaditor (ketotifen). You can put them back in after 10 minutes. However, don't put your contacts back in if your eyes are red or irritated. Give your eyes a bit longer to rest because contacts might irritate them more.
- After you place Zaditor (ketotifen) in your eye, keep your eye closed for a couple of minutes. This helps keep the medication in your eye.
- If you're using other eye drop medications with Zaditor (ketotifen), wait at least 5 minutes after putting in the Zaditor (ketotifen) drops to put the drops of the other medication into the eye. This makes sure your eye fully absorbs each medication.
- Don't use Zaditor (ketotifen) if the eye drop liquid has changed color or is cloudy.
- Stop using Zaditor (ketotifen) and talk to your healthcare provider if you experience pain, irritation, worsening redness, or vision changes in your eye.
- Talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms don't improve or if they get worse within 3 days of using Zaditor (ketotifen).
Common questions about Zaditor (ketotifen)
No. Zaditor (ketotifen) isn't a steroid; it's an antihistamine. Antihistamines work differently from steroids to treat eye symptoms caused by allergies. Steroid eye drops are typically used to help with more severe eye symptoms. In addition, most antihistamine eye drops can be found over the counter, while steroid eye drops typically require a prescription.
When it's used according to the instructions on the product label, Zaditor (ketotifen) is safe for most people. To prevent eye infections, always wash your hands before applying your eye drops. Make sure the tip of the bottle doesn't touch any surface, including your eye. Some side effects are possible, like headache and blurry vision. Be sure to let your provider know if you notice any bothersome side effects.
Don't use Zaditor (ketotifen) for more than 3 days in a row without talking to your provider. If your itchy eye worsens or lasts for more than 3 days while you're using Zaditor (ketotifen), you should get your eyes checked out to make sure this medication is the right treatment for your condition.
Zaditor (ketotifen) and olopatadine (Pataday) are both over-the-counter eye drops that work the same way to treat itchy eyes due to allergies. Zaditor (ketotifen) can be used by people 3 years and older, whereas olopatadine (Pataday) can be used in people as young as 2 years old. Another difference is that olopatadine (Pataday) comes in once-daily formulations, but Zaditor (ketotifen) is typically used twice daily. A small study comparing the two medications suggested that olopatadine (Pataday) works faster to relieve eye symptoms due to allergies and had fewer side effects. You shouldn't use both products together since they work the same way. Talk with your provider if you're not sure which one to use.
Yes, but make sure to take out your contact lenses before each time you use Zaditor (ketotifen). Some forms of this medication contain a preservative that can potentially damage your contacts. Wait at least 10 minutes before putting your contacts back in. Also, don't use Zaditor (ketotifen) to treat eye irritation from your contact lens. Talk to your provider about other eye drops for that.
You can use Zaditor (ketotifen) up to twice a day. If you feel that your symptoms are severe and you want to use it more than twice a day, you should consider making an appointment with your healthcare provider or eye specialist. Your providers will be able to do an eye exam to make sure nothing else is irritating your eye. They can also recommend other treatment options for your itchy eyes.
There aren't any known interactions between Zaditor (ketotifen) and fluticasone (Flonase). Since the two medications work differently to treat different allergy symptoms, it might be beneficial to use them together. Zaditor (ketotifen) is an antihistamine eye drop that's used to relieve itchy eyes from allergies, and fluticasone (Flonase) is a steroid nasal spray that's used to help with sneezing and runny nose.
There isn't enough information to know whether Zaditor (ketotifen) is safe to use during pregnancy. Ask your healthcare provider which allergy medications are the safest for you to use if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
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Risks and warnings for Zaditor (ketotifen)
Zaditor (ketotifen) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Not to be used with contact lenses
- Risk factors: Those who wear soft contact lenses
Zaditor (ketotifen) isn't meant for treating eye irritation caused by wearing contact lens. Some formulations of Zaditor (ketotifen) contain a preservative that might be absorbed by soft contact lenses. If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before you use Zaditor (ketotifen). You should wait at least 10 minutes after you use the eye drops to wear your contacts again.
Allergy to ingredients
Don't use Zaditor (ketotifen) if you're sensitive or allergic to one or more of the ingredients in the product. Read the ingredients label carefully.
Risk for eye infection
Keep the applicator tip of Zaditor (ketotifen) clean. Don't let the tip touch your eyes, fingers, or other objects. This will helpf prevent eye infections.
Zaditor (ketotifen) dosage
Eye dropper| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5ml of 0.025% | 1 eye dropper | $8.40 | $8.40 |
| 10ml of 0.025% | 1 eye dropper | $11.30 | $11.30 |
Typical dosage for Zaditor (ketotifen)
- Adults and children 3 years and older: Put 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice a day, every 8 to 12 hours.
- Children under 3 years old: Ask your child's provider.
Interactions between Zaditor (ketotifen) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
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