Home Drug Guide Ketotifen Fumarate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Ketotifen Fumarate

Brand Names Zaditor, Alaway, Children's Alaway, Acuvue Theravision With Ketotifen

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine/Anti-allergic agent

Pharmacological: H1 antihistamine, mast cell stabilizer

FDA Approved Indications

  • Relief of allergic conjunctivitis symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling

Mechanism of Action

Ketotifen Fumarate inhibits the release of allergic mediators from mast cells and blocks H1 histamine receptors, reducing allergic symptoms.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 1 drop in affected eye(s) twice daily, approximately 8-12 hours apart

Pediatric: Age 3 years and older: 1 drop in affected eye(s) twice daily; not recommended for children under 3 years

Geriatric: No specific dose adjustments necessary, use with caution as with other medications

Renal Impairment: No specific dosing adjustments established; use cautiously

Hepatic Impairment: No specific dosing adjustments established

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Limited systemic absorption when used topically

Distribution: Primarily local in eye tissues

Metabolism: Metabolized minimally; mostly remains localized

Excretion: Excreted in urine; systemic absorption is minimal

Half Life: Approximately 3 hours systemically, but topical ocular half-life not well-defined

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to ketotifen or other components

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with active ocular infections or recent ocular surgery; for use in children only if above 3 years

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Ocular irritation or stinging (Common)
  • Redness (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Eye pain or sensitivity to light (Rare)
  • Visual disturbances (Rare)
  • Allergic reactions such as swelling or rash (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • No significant interactions reported with ocular use

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No known interactions

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • No known interactions

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Assess for existing allergies and ocular infections before use

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for allergy-related ocular discomfort

Implementation: Administer drops as directed, instruct on proper technique, and monitor response and adverse effects

Evaluation: Determine symptom relief and absence of adverse reactions

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Use medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Do not touch dropper tip to eye or skin to avoid contamination.
  • Report any eye pain, changes in vision, or persistent irritation.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None

Genetic Factors: None specific

Lab Test Interference: No known interference

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: If ingested in large amounts, systemic effects such as drowsiness or agitation may occur

Treatment: Supportive care; activated charcoal if ingestion is recent; seek immediate medical attention

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from light and moisture

Stability: Stable until printed expiration date when stored properly

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.