Claritin Eye

Available without a prescription, Claritin Eye is a product used to treat itchy eyes caused by allergies to animal hair, pollen, grass, and dander. The medicine comes in the form of an eye drop that is used twice a day, and it uses a different active ingredient than the other Claritin products. Common side effects include headaches and stuffy or runny nose.

What Is Claritin Eye?

Claritin® Eye (ketotifen ophthalmic solution) is a nonprescription eye drop approved to temporarily relieve eye itching due to allergies. Specifically, it is approved to treat eye allergies (known medically as allergic conjunctivitis) due to pollen, ragweed, animal hair, grass, and dander.
 
(Click Claritin Eye Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Claritin Eye is manufactured by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.
 

How Does Claritin Eye Work?

The active ingredient of Claritin Eye is ketotifen.
 Ketotifen is an H1 receptor antagonist, commonly known as an antihistamine. 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, Claritin Eye can help prevent or relieve allergy symptoms.
 
The active ingredient of Claritin Eye is different from loratadine, the active ingredient in other Claritin products.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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