Zaditor
® (
ketotifen ophthalmic solution) is a non-prescription eyedrop used to temporarily relieve itching due to eye
allergies (known medically as allergic conjunctivitis).
Who Makes This Medication?
Zaditor is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
This drug belongs to a group of allergy medications known as antihistamines.
Specifically, it is 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, Zaditor can help prevent or relieve
allergy symptoms.
In addition to blocking histamine receptors, Zaditor seems to decrease the release of histamine from cells in the body and may also inhibit other substances produced by the body in response to an allergen, such as leukotrienes or eosinophils.
General considerations for those taking Zaditor include the following:
- This medication comes in the form of an eyedrop. It is used in each eye twice a day.
- If you wear contact lenses, you must remove them to use the drops. In order to prevent the lens from absorbing the preservatives in Zaditor, be sure to wait at least 10 minutes after using the drops before reinserting the lens. Do not wear your contact lenses if your eye is still red.
- In order to prevent contamination of the drops, do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface, including the surface of the eye.
- For Zaditor to work properly, it must be taken as directed.
There is only one standard recommended dose for this product. As is always the case, do not adjust your Zaditor dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Just like any medicine, Zaditor can cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the drug will experience problems. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Possible side effects of Zaditor include but are not limited to:
(Click Zaditor Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Zaditor if you:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
It is not clear exactly what to expect from an overdose with this medication. If you happen to take too much Zaditor, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Zaditor Be Stored?
Zaditor should be stored upright between 39°F and 77°F. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children. Be sure to put the cap back on after each use.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Zaditor as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Zaditor comes in one strength -- Zaditor 0.025%, available in a 5-mL bottle.
