In another move to provide allergy relief to consumers, the FDA recently approved a prescription-strength allergy eye drop for over-the-counter (OTC) use. ZaditorŪ (ketotifen), indicated for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, is now available OTC. This medication, unlike other OTC eye drops, functions as an anti-histamine and mast cell stabilizer.
Other OTC allergy eye drops contain topical decongestants such as naphazoline, which can result in rebound eye redness and congestion with long-term use. All other anti-histamine eye drops are available only by prescription.
Many people are happy to see medications become available OTC without a prescription. But so are medical insurance companies, since they may require that a patient try an OTC medication before covering a prescription medication. And since ZaditorŪ is OTC but not generic, you can bet it has a hefty price tag attached. And the consumer will now be paying that price - not the insurance companies.
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I recently tried Zaditor when I couldn’t locate my prescription for Patanol. It works incredibly well. I had been suffering for two days and tried all the OTC allergy eye drops I could find without any relief. My pharmacist recommended Zaditor and I’m recommending it to my friends!