Ketotifen is an over-the-counter eye drop approved to relieve eye itching due to eye allergies. This eMedTV resource describes how the medication works, offers dosing information, and explains what side effects may occur with this product.
Potential side effects of ketotifen include eye discharge, headaches, and sore throat. This eMedTV Web page includes a list of other possible ketotifen side effects and explains which ones are potentially serious and may require medical attention.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, ketotifen is used for treating eye itching caused by allergies due to pollen, ragweed, and animal dander. This article further discusses the drug's uses and describes how the eye drops work.
There is only one standard recommended dosage of ketotifen for the treatment of eye allergy symptoms. As this eMedTV page explains, the usual dose is one drop in each affected eye twice a day (every 8 to 12 hours, but no more than twice daily).
Significant ketotifen drug interactions are not likely to occur. As this eMedTV page explains, this is because very little ketotifen actually reaches the bloodstream (as it is an eye drop), making it unlikely to interact with other medications.
You should never use ketotifen eye drops to treat contact lens irritation. This section of the eMedTV site contains more precautions and warnings with ketotifen and includes important information on who should not use this particular medication.
