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ketotifen-oral tablet

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GENERIC NAME: KETOTIFEN - ORAL TABLET (key-toe-TIFF-en)

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

USES: Ketotifen is used to minimize the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. This medication may allow for a reduction in the use of other asthma medications. Ketotifen is not effective in treating an active asthma attack (acute attack).

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth; generally twice daily. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Ketotifen must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not skip any doses. Do not stop using other asthma medications unless your doctor tells you to. To lessen the drowsiness effect of this drug, the dosage may be slowly increased during the first week. It may take several weeks before the full benefits of this drug are clearly noticed (usually within 10 weeks). After 2 to 3 months of using this drug, your doctor may slowly decrease the use of other asthma medicines. Follow your doctor's directions carefully.

SIDE EFFECTS: Drowsiness, dizziness, trouble sleeping or flu- like symptoms might occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Unlikely but report promptly: unusual weight gain, stomach pain, rash. Very unlikely but report promptly: unusual bleeding or bruising, irritability, unusual excitability or nervousness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies). Limit alcohol intake as this might aggravate drug side effects. Caution performing tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving). Lowering of corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone) doses must be done carefully under doctor and pharmacist supervision. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast- feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially of: oral drugs used for diabetes. Also report drugs that may cause drowsiness such as: sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs, psychiatric medicines, certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), anti-seizure drugs. Certain cough-and-cold preparations may also make you drowsy. Consult your pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.