Drug Name

Zaditor (Ketotifen)

Drug Uses

Zaditor is used for temporary prevention of itching of the eye due to allergies.

How to use

To use Zaditor 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.
Zaditor 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 Zaditor Drops to treat irritation caused by contact lenses. Remove contact lenses before you use Zaditor Drops; soft contact lenses may be placed back in the eyes 10 minutes after use of Zaditor Drops if your eyes are not red.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Zaditor is an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer. It works by blocking the release of chemicals from cells involved in allergic reactions.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Zaditor, 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.

Storage

Store Zaditor at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep in a tight, light-resistant container. Keep Zaditor out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do NOT use Zaditor if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zaditor Drops

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Zaditor 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 Zaditor Drops. However, no specific interactions with Zaditor Drops are known at this time.

Possible Side Effects

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.

More Information

Zaditor 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.