Common use

Ketotifen is a type of asthma medication which, when taken every day and used along with other antiasthma medications, may reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of asthma symptoms or attacks. It may also lead to a reduction in daily requirements of other antiasthma medications. Ketotifen is not effective for the prevention or treatment of acute asthma attacks.

Dosage and direction

Ketotifen must be taken continuously in order to be effective. Ketotifen may be taken with or without food. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For oral dosage form (tablets); For asthma: Adults and children 3 years of age and older - The usual dose is 1 milligram (mg) (1 tablet) twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Precautions

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
This medicine may cause some people to become excited, irritable, or nervous or to have trouble in sleeping. These are symptoms of central nervous system stimulation and are especially likely to occur in children.

Contraindications

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) - May alter low-sugar diet; Epilepsy - May increase risk of convulsions (seizures).

Possible side effect

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur. Less common: Chills; Cough; Diarrhea; Fever; General feeling of discomfort or illness; Headache; Joint pain; Loss of appetite; Muscle aches and pains; Nausea; Runny nose; Shivering; Sore throat; Sweating; Trouble sleeping; Unusual tiredness or weakness; Vomiting; Abdominal or stomach pain; Blistering, itching, peeling, or redness of skin; Bloody or cloudy urine; Clay-colored stools; Convulsions; Dark urine; Difficult, burning, or painful urination; Dizziness; Frequent urge to urinate; Muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities; Rash; Sudden loss of consciousness; Unpleasant breath odor; Vomiting of blood; Yellow eyes or skin.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: Weight gain; Bloody nose; Drowsiness; Dryness of mouth; Excitation; Increased appetite; Irritability; Nervousness; Swelling of eyelids; Unexplained nosebleeds.

Drug interaction

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines: Amifampridine; Bupropion; Donepezil; Hydroxychloroquine; Pitolisant.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Overdose

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur: Blurred vision; Confusion; Convulsions; Disorientation; Dizziness; Drowsiness (severe); Faintness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position; Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse; Hyperexcitability; Loss of consciousness; Palpitations; Sweating; Unusual tiredness or weakness.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine.