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| Pronunciation |
|
 (kee
toe TYE
fen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Zaditor™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antihistamine, H1 Blocker, Ophthalmic |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to benzalkonium chloride, ketotifen, or any
other part of the medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to prevent eye itching caused by
allergies.
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| How does it work? |
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- Ketotifen, if taken before coming in contact with the material that
causes the allergy, blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing or preventing the
eye's reaction to the allergen.
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| How is it best taken? |
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|
- For the eye only.
- Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be
replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
- After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the
inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the
eye.
- Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes
before using the next.
- Do not touch the bottle tip to eye, lid, or other
skin.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.
- This medicine may be taken on an as needed
basis.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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- Do not wear soft contact lenses if eyes are red.
- Do not use to treat contact lens irritation.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Burning, stinging, redness, or itching.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Runny nose.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Improvement in condition. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Severe pain, itching, burning, stinging, or redness.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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