Alaway

Alaway is a medication approved to treat eye allergy symptoms. Specifically, it is used to relieve eye itching related to allergies due to pollen, ragweed, or animal hair and dander. The medicine is available over the counter and comes in the form of an eye drop that is typically applied twice a day. Potential side effects include red eyes, headache, and stuffy or runny nose.

What Is Alaway?

Alaway^® (ketotifen ophthalmic solution) is an over-the-counter eye drop used to relieve eye itching due to allergies. Specifically, it is approved to treat eye allergies (known medically as allergic conjunctivitis) due to pollen, ragweed, or animal hair and dander.

(Click Alaway Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes This Medication?

Alaway is manufactured by Bausch and Lomb.

How Does Alaway Work?

Alaway is one of many allergy medications known as antihistamines. Specifically, it is known as an H1 receptor antagonist. This means that it blocks a specific type of histamine receptor in the body (known as H1 receptors). Since the symptoms of allergic reactions are partly caused by histamine, Alaway can help prevent or relieve allergy symptoms.

In addition to blocking histamine receptors, this medication also seems to decrease the release of histamine from cells in the body and may also inhibit other substances (such as eosinophils or leukotrienes) produced by the body in response to an allergen.

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