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Ketotifen Fumarate

This form:

Pronounced

"key-toe-TIFF-en"

Common brand names:

Zaditen

Uses

Ketotifen is used as a long-term (maintenance) treatment in children to prevent or decrease wheezing and troubled breathing caused by allergic-type asthma. It is usually used along with other medications for asthma (including corticosteroids such as prednisone, inhaled beta agonists such as salbutamol). This medication is an antihistamine. It improves breathing by decreasing swelling and inflammation of the airways in the lungs. Controlling symptoms of asthma can increase the ability to exercise/play and decrease time lost from school.

This medication does not work right away and should not be used for sudden attacks of shortness of breath/asthma. Your doctor must prescribe a quick-relief medicine/inhaler (such as salbutamol, albuterol) for sudden shortness of breath/asthma attacks while you are on this medication. You should always have a quick-relief inhaler with you. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to Use This Medication

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Doing so may increase side effects.

Dosage is based on your age and response to treatment. Your doctor may start you at a lower dose and slowly adjust the dose to lessen side effects (such as drowsiness). Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Do not stop using this medication or change your dose without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

This medication does not work right away. It may take 2 to 3 months for this medication to have an effect. Your doctor may also adjust the dosage of your other asthma medications while you are taking ketotifen. If you are regularly taking corticosteroids (such as prednisone, fluticasone), you should not stop using them, and you should not replace them with ketotifen. Carefully follow your doctor's directions for taking all your medicines.