Medication guide
Ketotifen Fumarate
- Generic name
- Ketotifen Fumarate
- Common brand names
- Zaditor, Alaway
- Medication class
- Ophthalmic antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizer
Overview
Its medication class is Ophthalmic antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizer. Common uses include Itchy and allergic eyes. Product forms and labels can differ, so follow the specific package instructions and ask a pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional about individual questions.
How to Take it
- Route
- Ophthalmic drops/lubricants.
- Time of day
- Use at symptom onset and before prolonged screen/irritating exposure if needed.
- With food/water
- No food relationship; avoid contact with water before instillation.
- Preparation
- Hand wash, pull lower lid down, apply drop; do not touch tip to eye.
- Safe dose
- One to two drops per eye unless label says otherwise.
- Max dose
- Do not exceed label daily frequency/number of drops.
- Frequency
- Every few hours to 2 times/day depending product and symptoms.
- Other recommendations
- Remove contact lenses if instructed and wait if discomfort persists >5 minutes.
Common uses
- Itchy
- allergic eyes
Common side effects
- Eye burning
- itching
- redness
- headache
- drowsiness
- blurred vision
- and tearing
Important warnings
- Not to treat severe eye emergencies. Avoid use in people sensitive to sedative effects or if severe glaucoma without advice. Do not share bottles; if pain, vision change, or severe irritation persists, stop and seek urgent care.
General interactions information
Sedating antihistamine load can occur with other ocular or oral antihistamines
Sources / references
- Ketotifen Ophthalmic — MedlinePlus
U.S. National Library of Medicine
These references offer further reading. A source link does not establish that a clinician has reviewed every statement in this guide.
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