Ketotifen is a medication that is commonly used to treat allergic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. It is available in various forms, including oral tablets and eye drops. Ketotifen works as an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer, which means it helps reduce allergic symptoms by blocking the action of histamine (a chemical that triggers allergic reactions) and preventing certain immune cells from releasing inflammation-inducing substances.

Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops) are used in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. It acts by stabilizing mast cells and is a non-competitive antihistamine.

Ketotifen Eye Drops Uses:

• Allergic conjunctivitis:
  • It is used for the temporary relief of eye itching caused by allergic conjunctivitis.

Read: Phenylephrine Eye Drops

Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops) Dose in Adults:

Drops for ketotifen (Alaway drops) The dosage for treating allergic conjunctivitis is as follows:

• Over-the-Counter Instructions:
  • Put 1 drop in the itchy/red eye(s) two times a day, with at least 8 to 12 hours between each drop.
  • Don't use more than 2 drops in one day for each eye.

Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops) Dose in Children:

Drops for ketotifen (Alaway drops) The dosage for treating allergic conjunctivitis is as follows:

For treating eye allergies in kids aged 3 and older:

• Instructions: Put 1 drop in the itchy/red eye(s) two times a day, making sure there's at least 8 to 12 hours between each drop. Remember, don't use more than 2 drops for each eye in one day.

Pregnancy Risk Category: C

• We haven't looked into using it directly on the eyes.

Use during breastfeeding:

• We don't know if using ketotifen eye drops can lead to its presence in a mother's breast milk.

Dose in Kidney Disease:

• The maker's instructions don't say to change the dose if someone has kidney problems.
• But it's probably not needed since the body doesn't absorb much of the medicine anyway.

Dose in Liver disease:

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling. However, an adjustment in the dose is probably not required due to low systemic absorption.

Since there is little systemic exposure after topical ocular injection, reactions are often moderate, brief, and local.

Common Side Effects of Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops):

• Ophthalmic:
  • Conjunctival injection
• Central nervous system:
  • Headache
• Respiratory:
  • Rhinitis

Less Common Side Effects of Ketotifen drops (Alaway drops):

• Respiratory:
  • Flu-Like Symptoms
  • Pharyngitis
• Hypersensitivity:
  • Hypersensitivity reaction
• Ophthalmic:
  • Disease Of The Lacrimal Apparatus
  • Eye Pain
  • Circumocular Rash
  • Stinging Of Eyes
  • Xerophthalmia
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Keratitis
  • Burning Sensation Of Eyes
  • Eye Discharge
  • Eyelid Disease
  • Mydriasis
  • Photophobia
  • Eye Pruritus

Contraindications to Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops):

• If you're allergic to ketotifen or any part of the medicine, don't use it.

Monitoring Parameters:

None Mentioned.

How to administer Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops)?

For the eyes:

• Use only in the eyes.
• Clean your hands before using.
• Don't let the dropper touch your eye and keep it clean.
• Take out soft contact lenses before putting in the drops.
• If your drops have benzalkonium chloride, wait 10 minutes before putting lenses back in.
• Don't put in contact lenses if your eyes are red.
• If using other eye drops, wait 5 minutes between each one.

Mechanism of action of Ketotifen drops (Alaway

Drops:

• It works by blocking certain allergy-causing reactions and helps keep allergy cells stable.
• The reason it helps with eye allergies is because it reduces swelling and blocks allergy symptoms, and it also stops certain cells from getting to the inflamed part of the eye.

How fast it works:

• Starts working in just a few minutes (based on Canadian info from 2012).

How long it lasts:

• Up to 12 hours (based on Canadian info from 2012).

How much gets into the body:

• Very little (based on US info from 2002).

International Brand Names of Ketotifen eye drops:

• Alaway Childrens Allergy
• TheraTears Allergy
• Zaditor
• Aljen
• Altriabak
• Bei Ka Ming
• Alaway
• Claritin Eye
• Dihalar
• Edifen
• Grandotifen
• Kedrop
• Ketof
• Ketohexal
• Ketoptic
• Ketotifen-ratiopharm
• Mastosytex
• Orpidix
• Privent DPS
• Eye Itch Relief
• GoodSense Itchy Eye
• Prosma
• Stafen
• Tofen
• Totiswix
• Unitten
• Zabak
• Zadit
• Zaditen
• Zaditen Ofta
• Zatofen

Ketotifen Brand Names in Pakistan: