Olopatadine vs. Zaditor: 5 Differences Between These Allergy Eye Drops
Key takeaways:
Olopatadine (Pataday) and Zaditor (ketotifen) are two over-the-counter eye drops that treat itchy eyes due to allergies.
Olopatadine may work faster to relieve allergy eye symptoms than Zaditor. Both eye drops can cause burning and stinging in the eyes. But Zaditor may be more likely to cause side effects.
Both olopatadine and Zaditor come in twice-daily formulations. But olopatadine also comes in once-daily options.
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Table of contents
Do you deal with itchy, watery eyes during allergy season? For many people, eye symptoms are the most aggravating of all allergy symptoms.
When you need relief, olopatadine (Pataday) and Zaditor (ketotifen) are two options you may see on pharmacy shelves. They both work by blocking histamine and stabilizing mast cells to stop allergy symptoms.
You used to need a prescription to purchase olopatadine and Zaditor. But they’ve switched to over the counter (OTC). So, which one works better for eye allergy symptoms? And who can use them? We’ll answer these questions and more about olopatadine versus Zaditor below.
Please note: Olopatadine is also available as a nasal spray that’s used to treat allergies, and it is prescription only, not OTC.
1. Olopatadine and Zaditor are approved for slightly different age groups
One main difference between olopatadine and Zaditor is that they’re approved for different age groups. Adults and children 2 years and older can use olopatadine, while people ages 3 years and up can use Zaditor.
If your child is younger than 2 years old, talk to their pediatrician about alternative treatment options for their allergy eye symptoms. Always check the product labels on OTC eye drops to make sure they’re safe for your child to use.
How they compare: Olopatadine (Pataday) eye drops come in a few different concentrations with once- and twice-daily dosage options. Here’s how Pataday products stack up.
Eye drops for allergies: Many different eye drops can relieve red, itchy eyes from allergies. Here, pharmacists break down over-the-counter and prescription options.
Finding relief: Learn more about at-home treatments for red, itchy eyes, including a cool compress and saline eye flushes.
2. Olopatadine may provide more relief faster than Zaditor
Eye allergy symptoms can sometimes affect your daily activities. So you may want an eye drop that kicks in fast. The manufacturers of olopatadine and Zaditor claim they work in minutes. But which works faster?
In a recent meta-analysis, researchers noted that olopatadine appeared to work faster to relieve symptoms compared to Zaditor. This was based on a small study of people with allergy eye symptoms. Participants were using either olopatadine twice daily or ketotifen (the active ingredient in Zaditor) 4 times daily. In the study, people using olopatadine reported significant improvement in itching, tearing, and redness compared to ketotifen by day 4.
3. Olopatadine has a once-daily eye drop option
Olopatadine and Zaditor are both available in formulations that are administered twice daily. But olopatadine also comes in once-daily formulations, which can be more convenient.
Unlike Zaditor, olopatadine is sold in a few different concentrations: 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.7%. The 0.1% drops may be used every 6 to 8 hours (up to twice a day). But the 0.2% and 0.7% drops should only be used once a day. These once-daily formulations can provide longer-lasting relief.
Zaditor is only available as one concentration, and it should be used twice a day to maintain symptom relief. You shouldn’t use it more often than every 8 to 12 hours.
Using twice-daily eye drops may be more challenging for younger children or people with a busy schedule. In these situations, Zaditor might not be the best choice.
4. Zaditor may be more likely to cause side effects than olopatadine
Olopatidine and Zaditor each have unique side effects, but they can both cause stinging or burning in the eyes and temporary blurred vision. Of the two eye drops, studies suggest that Zaditor may be more likely to cause side effects.
A study comparing the eye drops found that side effects such as headaches and burning in the eyes were reported more frequently in people using Zaditor. And another study found that people preferred 0.7% olopatadine in terms of overall comfort after application and had fewer side effects such as stinging, burning, and blurry vision.
Other possible side effects of Zaditor include runny nose, rash, and dry eye. With olopatadine, you may notice taste changes. If you’re having side effects from your eye drops, consider switching to a different one. You might tolerate it better.
5. Olopatadine and Zaditor come in different sizes
When browsing the allergy section at your local pharmacy, you may notice that olopatadine and Zaditor come in different sizes.
Brand-name Zaditor only comes in a 5 mL bottle, which should last you about a month. Olopatadine is available in 2.5 mL and 5 mL sizes. If you’re using a once-daily version, the 2.5 mL size should last you about a month. Similarly, the 5 mL bottle of the twice-daily version lasts about 30 days.
However, there are a few factors that can affect how long your eye drops last. These include how many drops are accidentally wasted and how often you need to use them. But even if you have eye drops left in the bottle, never use them past their expiration date. This can increase your risk of an eye infection. And they might not work as well, either. In fact, experts recommend not using eye drops for more than a month after opening the bottle.
No matter which medication you choose, you should contact your primary care provider if you need to use the eye drops for more than 3 days. Tell them if your itching gets worse or isn’t getting better in this time frame. They can make sure it’s still OK for you to use the eye drops.
Can you use olopatadine and Zaditor at the same time?
Olopatadine and Zaditor work the same way for eye allergy symptoms. So, using them at the same time likely won’t provide any additional benefits.
Olopatadine and Zaditor work in three ways to treat eye allergy symptoms:
Blocking histamine receptors
Preventing mast cells from releasing histamine and other inflammatory chemicals
Stopping the actions of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that’s linked to allergies
If one of these eye drops isn’t giving you enough relief, you might want to switch to another eye drop that works differently. Ask your eye specialist about the best treatment options for your allergy eye symptoms.
The bottom line
Olopatadine (Pataday) and Zaditor (ketotifen) are over-the-counter (OTC) allergy eye drops. They both work the same way. But olopatadine might work faster and may be less likely to cause side effects.
Both eye drops come in twice-daily formulations, but olopatadine also comes in once-daily options. Using olopatadine and Zaditor together likely won’t give you much additional benefit. Talk to your primary care provider if you need help finding additional allergy treatments.
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References
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