Key takeaways
Zaditor (ketotifen) and loteprednol (Lotemax) are both eye medications, but they serve different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Zaditor is an over-the-counter antihistamine used to relieve itchy eyes caused by allergies. On the other hand, loteprednol is a prescription-only corticosteroid used to treat various eye conditions, including dry eye disease, inflammation, and pain after eye surgery. While Zaditor is typically used twice a day, loteprednol may need to be used up to four times a day depending on the condition being treated. Additionally, loteprednol 0.5% gel and suspension forms are available as generics, while other strengths are only available as the brand medication. Zaditor, on the other hand has one strength (0.025%) and is available as a low-cost generic. Both medications can cause eye irritation, but loteprednol carries more risks, such as high eye pressure and cataracts, especially with long-term use.
