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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? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to prevent eye itching caused by
allergies.
|
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- 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? |
|
|
- Burning, stinging, redness, or itching.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Runny nose.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Improvement in condition. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- 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.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
|
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| General statements |
|
|
- 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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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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