Ketotifen

To cope with the problems caused by allergies, able and affordable proven tool - Ketotifen. Indications for use, composition, rules of admission for patients of different ages, cost - information about the drug, supplemented by patient reviews, will help find the answer to the question of whether you can trust him and your child’s health.

Who and why take Ketotifen: indications

Ketotifen is a highly effective antiallergic drug with anti-inflammatory action. The drug can also reduce the severity and severity of an asthma attack.

What are the therapeutic options for ketotifen? Indications for use of the drug:

• allergies of different etiologies - year-round and seasonal rhinitis; pollinosis, conjunctivitis, hay fever;
• allergic bronchitis;
• bronchial asthma (to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks and as a preventive measure);
• hives;
• atopic dermatitis.

To prevent allergies from developing into asthma, it is advisable to opt for this particular antihistamine drug. But the final decision on the need to treat them (especially in relation to young patients) is made by the attending physician. The drug is available in a pharmacy by prescription.

The composition and form of the drug

The main active ingredient of the drug is the substance of the same name. It stabilizes mast cell membranes and inhibits asthmatic reactions to allergens, preventing bronchial spasm.

The composition of the drug also includes such substances as ketotifenafumarate (1.38 mg), lactose (which must be taken into account in patients with intolerance to this component), microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, calcium (magnesium) stearate.

Ketotifen is available in 3 dosage forms:

• pills. Appointed adult patients and children over 3 years. The tablets are packaged in a film blister with cells of 10-20 pills. They, along with the instruction placed in a carton;
• syrup. Prepackaged in bottles of 50 ml and 100 ml. The set includes a measuring spoon. This form of the drug is more suitable for kids;
• eye drops for external use in vials (with a volume of 5 ml), equipped with a sterile cap-dropper.

How to take ketotifen?

What is the treatment regimen for ketotifen? Instructions for use recommends taking the pills like this: 1-2 mg 2 times a day in the morning and at bedtime orally (this applies to adults). In children aged 6-12 years, treatment is carried out by taking 1 mg of the drug 2 times a day. In severe cases, the daily dosage (as recommended by the doctor) can be increased by 2 times.

If the drug is used for the purpose of prevention, the dosage will be as follows: 1 mg 1 time per day. The maximum daily dose for children is 2 mg, for adults it should not exceed 4 mg.

Allergy-free babies under 3 years old are prescribed syrup. It is given 2 times a day. The dosage is calculated individually according to the weight of the baby: ½ mg per 1 kg of weight. A single dose should not be more than 0.25 ml per kg. For babies up to six months, the remedy can be prescribed only after an examination by a pediatrician and passing clinical tests.

If a child of 3 years and older cannot take pills for any reason, then he is prescribed 5 ml of syrup twice a day.

Ketotifen eye drops will help eliminate tearing and relieve from the painful itching and redness. They should be instilled into the diseased eye (or in both eyes) 1 drop 3 times a day with an 8-hour interval. If the manifestations of allergies are not too intense, the procedure can be performed 2 times a day. Treatment is carried out for 1.5 months.

Features of the drug ketotifen

Once in the gastrointestinal tract, ketotifen quickly penetrates the blood. The highest content of its active components is observed 2 hours after ingestion. Up to 70% of the drug is excreted in the urine.

The drug should be used for a long time - from 4 to 12 weeks: only in this case, it demonstrates a high therapeutic effect. The duration of treatment will be determined by the doctor depending on the condition of the patient.

Discontinuation of the drug should be carried out with caution - for 2 weeks with a gradual decrease in dose and frequency of administration. This will avoid the recurrence of the disease.

Nursing mothers should take into account that the components of the medicine are able to penetrate into breast milk.

What side effects may occur with Ketotifen treatment?

Ketotifen can provoke such undesirable reactions:

• dizziness (including pronounced), drowsiness, decreased reaction, attention, inability to concentrate;
• metabolic disorders, slight weight gain, increased appetite;
• dry mouth, nausea, constipation, vomiting;
• in children, in exceptional cases, convulsions are noted;
• extremely rarely fix the development of hepatitis, cystitis.

Who can not be assigned ketotifen?

In addition to individual intolerance, there are several conditions and diseases in which treatment with this medicine is impossible. These include:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• decreased platelet count in the blood;
• if the patient is engaged in an activity that requires increased concentration (driving);
• people with epilepsy;
• allergic to liver failure.

The cost of the drug and similar medications

Ketotifen tablets are sold at a price of 65 rubles, which is affordable for most patients, even taking into account the fact that the duration of treatment is quite long. Many drugs are offered for sale that have the same composition and spectrum of action as Ketotifen. Analogs are not an example more expensive. So, Zaditen antiallergic eye drops are offered at prices ranging from 350 to 400 rubles, although their effectiveness is comparable to the effect of Ketotifen.

Pharmaceutical agents Loratadine, Erius, Claritin, Zyrtec, Ketoph, Frenasma have a similar effect. Their cost is 2-3 times higher than the price of Ketotifen, and the action and the list of testimony remain the same.

Ketotifen helps or does not help: patient reviews

The drug has gained a good reputation from those who are forced to deal with allergies. It facilitates the condition and is easily tolerated by the body. Of the minuses, adult patients refer to the appearance of drowsiness and the need to be treated for a long time.

Are satisfied with ketotifen and moms of children with allergies. They are satisfied with the price. In the reviews, they also note that “feeding” the children with syrup is simple enough, which cannot be said about tablets. After taking the medicine, the child's skin becomes clean, the allergic rhinitis disappears for a long time. But this result can be obtained not earlier than 2-3 weeks after the start of treatment.

There are also negative reviews about the drug. Some say that after the drug was canceled, the allergy returns again. Others are unhappy that with repeated treatment with this remedy, its effectiveness drops sharply.

In general, the benefits of ketotifen, starting with efficiency, long shelf life (3 years) and ending with an acceptable cost, made it the No. 1 drug in the treatment of allergies. But no matter how high the marks given to the drug by patients are, the doctor must prescribe it. Only in this way treatment will have a positive effect, and will not end with unpleasant surprises.