View source for Ketotifen

{{MedTemplate
| generic           = Ketotifen
| brand             = Zaditor, Alaway (ophthalmic, OTC); Zaditen (systemic, outside US)
| structure         =
| classes           = [[:Category:H1_receptor_antagonists|Histamine H1 receptor antagonist]], [[:Category:Mast_cell_stabilizers|Mast cell stabilizer]], [[:Category:Ophthalmic_antihistamines|Ophthalmic antihistamine]]
| uses              = <vote slug="allergic-conjunctivitis-use">Allergic conjunctivitis (ophthalmic)</vote>
| starting_dose     = Ophthalmic 1 drop in each eye every 8-12 hours
| preparations      = 0.025%, 0.035% ophthalmic solutions
| fda_max           = 1 drop per eye q8-12h
| pill_id           =
| routes            = Topical ophthalmic
| onset             = Within minutes
| duration          = 8-12 hours
| halflife          = Not meaningfully described for ophthalmic use<ref name="zaditor-label">FDA Prescribing Information, Zaditor (ketotifen fumarate), Novartis Consumer Health (now OTC), current revision. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021066s019lbl.pdf</ref>
| bioavailability   = Topical with minimal systemic absorption<ref name="zaditor-label" />
| pregnancy         = Generally considered safe (minimal systemic exposure).{{citation needed}}
| legal             = OTC in US
| mechanism         = <vote slug="ketotifen-mech-claim">Ketotifen is a dual-acting agent like olopatadine: selective H1 receptor antagonism provides immediate symptom relief, while mast cell membrane stabilization prevents further degranulation.</vote> Systemic oral ketotifen (available outside US) has historical use for asthma adjunct therapy via the same dual mechanism, but oral use produces sedation and weight gain — the topical ophthalmic application largely avoids both<ref name="zaditor-label" />.
}}

== References ==
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