Key takeaways
Bepotastine (Bepreve) and ketotifen (Zaditor) are both antihistamine eye drops used to treat itchy eyes caused by allergies. However, they differ in several ways. Bepotastine is available only by prescription, while ketotifen can be purchased over the counter. Bepotastine is typically used in people over the age of 2, whereas ketotifen is recommended for those 3 years and older. Both medications are used twice a day, but bepotastine may cause an unpleasant taste in the mouth, while ketotifen can lead to headaches and blurry vision. Additionally, bepotastine has a generic version available, whereas ketotifen is available under multiple brand names like Zaditor and Alaway. Both medications require you to remove contact lenses before use and wait at least 10 minutes before reinserting them.
