Ketotifen Fumarate

Introduction

Ketotifen is an antihistamine for the eye that treats allergic symptoms by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine). It is also a mast cell stabilizer that prevents allergic reactions by reducing the release of natural substances that cause an allergic reaction.

Ketotifen ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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How it works?

Ketotifen is a relatively selective, non-competitive histamine antagonist (H1-receptor) and mast cell stabilizer. Ketotifen inhibits the release of mediators from cells involved in hypersensitivity reactions. Decreased chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils has also been demonstrated.

Ketotifen has been shown to have little systemic exposure following topical ocular administration. A study conducted with 15 healthy volunteers dosed bilaterally with ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution twice daily for 14 days demonstrated plasma concentrations generally below the quantitation limit of assay (< 20 pg/mL).

Side Effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, trouble sleeping or flu- like symptoms might occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Unlikely but report promptly: unusual weight gain, stomach pain, rash. Very unlikely but report promptly: unusual bleeding or bruising, irritability, unusual excitability or nervousness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More information

Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies). Limit alcohol intake as this might aggravate drug side effects. Caution performing tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving). Lowering of corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone) doses must be done carefully under doctor and pharmacist supervision. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast- feeding.

Dosages

dults and children 3 years of age and older: Put 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, every 8-12 hours, no more than twice per day.

Children under 3 years of age: Consult a doctor.

Conclusion

Ketotifen is described as a prophylactic antiasthma compound. Its predominant effect is histamine H1-receptor antagonism, which accounts for its sedative effect. Ketotifen has little effect in clinical asthma—in acute challenge, on airway hyperresponsiveness, or on clinical symptoms.

User reviews

Review 1
Marvellous. One drop of Alaway relieves the itching and pain. It is all I use now during allergy season.

Review 2
“Works when my eyes aren’t too bad, but when my lids are swollen, it stings and doesn’t work. I got Bepreve instead and that helps without stinging.

Review 3

It is around 80% effective I am very allergic to mold spores and minor allergic to grass so It is a year round condition. I have tried others such as Opatadine which gave me allergic reaction and >Azelastine which doesn’t last longer than 4 hrs. This one is effective most of the time except during high spores count in the air and windy day when I need to use it more than twice a day for it to keep my allergy at bay. It did dried out my eyes a bit but than can be fix with an eye drops.

Review 4

I just started Ketotifen yesterday. Not the best eye drop for me. Ever since I used it I’ve been having way more discharge than I did before using it. I do like the fact that it made the redness in my eyes go away although I still have it. The redness went away a little bit and I am able to see a little better. As a result I still might switch it to a different brand in a couple days.