| Ketotifen
Drug Info Generic Name:
ketotifen ophthalmic (kee toe TYE fen off THAL mik)
Brand Names: Alaway, Zaditor
Ketotifen Drops is used for:
Temporary prevention of itching of the eye due to allergies.
Ketotifen Drops is an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer.
It works by blocking the release of chemicals from cells
involved in allergic reactions.
Do NOT use Ketotifen Drops if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Ketotifen Drops
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away
if any of these apply to you.
Before using Ketotifen Drops:
Some medical conditions may interact with Ketotifen Drops.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical
conditions, especially if any of the following apply to
you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or
are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ketotifen Drops. However,
no specific interactions with Ketotifen Drops are known
at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Ketotifen Drops may interact
with other medicines that you take. Check with your health
care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose
of any medicine.
How to use Ketotifen Drops:
Use Ketotifen Drops as directed by your doctor. Check
the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
To use Ketotifen Drops in the eye, first, wash your
hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull
the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop
the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes.
Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside
corner of the eyelid for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink.
Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry
tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your
hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator
tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
Ketotifen Drops is only for the eye. Do not get it in your nose or mouth.
Do not wear contact lenses if your eye is red.
Do not use Ketotifen Drops to treat irritation caused by contact lenses.
Remove contact lenses before you use Ketotifen Drops; soft contact lenses
may be placed back in the eyes 10 minutes after use of Ketotifen Drops if your
eyes are not red.
If you miss a dose of Ketotifen Drops, use it as soon as possible. If it
is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your
regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have
about how to use Ketotifen Drops.
Important safety information:
Ketotifen Drops may cause mild stinging when you first
put it in your eye. Contact your doctor if the stinging
continues.
Do not use Ketotifen Drops for future eye problems without first checking
with your doctor.
Ketotifen Drops may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken
it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
Ketotifen Drops should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 3 years old;
safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor.
You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ketotifen Drops while
you are pregnant. It is not known if Ketotifen Drops is found in breast milk.
If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Ketotifen Drops, check with
your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Ketotifen Drops:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people
have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor
if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become
bothersome:
Burning; dry eyes; eye discharge; eyelid disorder; flu-like
syndrome; headache; infection of the mucous membrane around
the eye; inflammation of the cornea; itching; nasal congestion;
red eyes; runny nose; sensitivity to light; sore throat;
stinging; tearing.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE
side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty
breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth,
face, lips, or tongue); eye pain or swelling; trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may
occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about
side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
(1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison
Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm),
or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Ketotifen Drops:
Store Ketotifen Drops at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C).
Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat,
moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep
Ketotifen Drops out of the reach of children and away from
pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Ketotifen Drops, please
talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care
provider.
Ketotifen Drops is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your
doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain
all information about Ketotifen Drops. If you have questions
about the medicine you are taking or would like more information,
check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care
provider. |
