Zaditen eye drops

How does it work?

Zaditen eye drops contain the active ingredient ketotifen hydrogen fumarate, which is a type of medicine called an antihistamine. It works by preventing the actions of histamine.

Histamine is a substance produced by the body as part of its defence mechanisms. It is stored in cells called mast cells, in almost all tissues of the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance (known as an allergen, eg flower pollen), the mast cells stimulated by the allergen release their stores of histamine.

The released histamine then binds to its receptors (H-1 receptors), causing a chain reaction that results in allergic symptoms. It causes an increase in blood flow to the area of the allergy, and the release of other chemicals that add to the allergic response.

All this results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction. In eye allergies, such as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, histamine causes inflammation of the eyes, making them red, itchy and watery.

Ketotifen is thought to work in a number of ways. It prevents the release of histamine from mast cells and also blocks H1 receptors, so that any histamine that is released is prevented from having an effect.

By blocking the actions of histamine in the eye, ketotifen eye drops help prevent your eyes from reacting to allergens that would normally cause your eye allergy.

What is it used for?

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

Warning!

This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.

These eye drops contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. If you wear soft contact lenses, you should remove them before putting in these eye drops. You can put the contact lenses back in 15 minutes after using the drops.

When using the eye drops you should take care to not touch the dropper tip to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops.

The eye drops may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied them into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.

Zaditen eye drops are sterile until opened. Any remaining medicine should be carefully disposed of four weeks after the first opening, as it is likely to be contaminated. You may find it helpful to write the date of first opening on the packet.

Not to be used in

Children under three years of age

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine is unlikely to be excreted into the breast milk after application to the eye, and this medicine may therefore be used by breastfeeding mothers. For further advice talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If the drops are used during pregnancy or breastfeeding you can minimise the amount of medicine that is absorbed into your bloodstream by pressing on your tear duct (the corner of the eye closest to the nose) while putting in the drops, and for a few minutes after.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Eye burning/stinging

Tiny breaks on the skin covering the eye (punctate corneal epithelial erosion)

Blurred vision after application

Dry eyes

Eyelid disorder

Inflammation of the lining of the eye, causing pain and redness (conjunctivitis)

Pain in the eye

Dislike of light (photophobia)

Bleeding under the surface of the eye (subconjunctival haemorrhage)

Headache

Sleepiness (somnolence)

Skin rashes

Dry mouth

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop from washing away the first. Use any eye gels or ointments last.

Ketotifen eye drops are unlikely to be absorbed into the bloodstream in sufficient quantities to affect medicines that are being taken by mouth. However, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine, so they can check that the combination is safe.

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