Ketotifen is used for relieving symptoms of allergic conditions such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy and red eyes, skin rashes or hives. It can also be used to prevent asthma in children. Learn how to use the medication, side effects, special precautions, and more.
Ketotifen is used for relieving symptoms of allergic conditions such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy and red eyes, skin rashes or hives. It can also be used to prevent asthma in children. However, it is not effective for use in an acute asthma attack.
Ketotifen belongs to a group of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical that causes allergic symptoms. When used for the prevention of asthma, it may take several weeks before you can notice any improvement in symptoms.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
If you are taking it only on a “as-needed” basis; there is no need to take the medication if you are not experiencing any symptoms.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Ketotifen may interact with oral blood sugar lowering medications (e.g. metformin), antihistamines (e.g. promethazine) and medications that may cause drowsiness. You should not drink alcohol while taking Ketotifen as it may worsen the drowsiness.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on April 2024
This article was last reviewed on Wednesday, August 28, 2024