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:

Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops) Dose in the treatment of Allergic conjunctivitis:

• OTC labeling:

  • Ophthalmic: Instill one drop into the affected eye twice a day administered 12 hours apart.
  • The maximum dose should not exceed 2 applications per day.

Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops) Dose in the treatment of Allergic conjunctivitis:

• Children ≥3 years and Adolescents:

  • Ophthalmic: Instill one drop into the lower conjunctival sac of the affected eye two times a day (administered 8 to 12 hours apart).
  • Note: Do not exceed 2 applications/day.

Pregnancy Risk Category: C

• In animal and human pregnancy studies, topical ocular administration was not studied.

Use during breastfeeding:

• It is unknown if the drug will be excreted into breastmilk after ocular administration.
• However, minimal systemic absorption means that it can be used by lactating mothers.

Dose in Kidney Disease:

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling. However, adjustments in the dose are probably not required because of low systemic absorption.

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.

Reactions are generally mild, transient, and local as systemic exposure following topical ocular administration is minimal.

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

• Central nervous system:

  • Headache

• Ophthalmic:

  • Conjunctival injection

• Respiratory:

  • Rhinitis

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

• Hypersensitivity:

  • Hypersensitivity reaction

• Ophthalmic:

  • Circumocular Rash
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Disease Of The Lacrimal Apparatus
  • Eye Pain
  • Keratitis
  • Mydriasis
  • Photophobia
  • Burning Sensation Of Eyes
  • Eye Discharge
  • Eyelid Disease
  • Eye Pruritus
  • Stinging Of Eyes
  • Xerophthalmia

• Respiratory:

  • Flu-Like Symptoms
  • Pharyngitis

Contraindications to Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops):

• Hypersensitivity to ketotifen or any component of the formulation

Monitoring Parameters:

None Mentioned.

How to administer Ketotifen eye drops (Alaway drops)?

Ophthalmic:

• It is indicated for ophthalmic use only. Before using the eye drops, wash hands and do not let the tip of the applicator touch the eyes.
• Do not contaminate the tip of the applicator. If the patient is wearing contact lenses, they should be removed before administering the drops.
• Once the drops are administered, wait for 10 minutes before reinserting the lenses if using products containing benzalkonium chloride.
• If the eyes are red, it is better to avoid wearing contact lenses. If the patient is on concomitant other ophthalmic medications, allow at least 5 minutes between applications of other eye drops.

Mechanism of action of Ketotifen drops (Alaway

Drops:

• It stabilizes mast cells and is an H-1 receptor antagonist that is non-competitive. 
• It is used to treat allergic conjunctivitis symptoms.
• Another action is to interfere with the chemokine-induced migrations of eosinophils in inflamed conectiva.

Start of action:

• Within minutes.

Duration:

• Up to 12 hours.

Absorption:

• Minimally systemic

International Brand Names of Ketotifen eye drops:

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

Ketotifen Brand Names in Pakistan: