About ketotifen
Antihistamine and mast-cell stabilizer
Used for
- Prevention of asthma symptoms; not for sudden asthma attacks.
- Relief of allergic rhinitis and allergic eye symptoms.
- Relief of itching and hives.
Usual adult dose
For asthma prevention: 1 mg twice daily; doses vary by formulation and country.
Usual dose in children
Age 3 years and older: 1 mg twice daily. Younger children may need a lower, weight-based dose.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness or dizziness
- Increased appetite or weight gain
- Dry mouth
- Irritability, especially in children
Important warnings
- Not a rescue medicine for an asthma attack.
- Sleepiness may affect driving; alcohol can worsen it.
- Do not stop prescribed asthma medicines without medical guidance.
- Rarely, seizures or unusual bleeding or bruising have been reported.
Pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only when a clinician considers it necessary; human safety information is limited.
Breastfeeding
Information is limited; discuss use with a clinician, as effects on a nursing infant are uncertain.
Interactions
- Sedatives and alcohol may increase sleepiness.
- Oral diabetes medicines may increase the risk of low platelets; monitoring may be needed.
- Other medicines that cause sleepiness can intensify this effect.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.