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. Alaway® (ketotifen), the OTC form of Zaditor®, is indicated for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. This medication, unlike other OTC eye drops, functions as an anti-histamine and mast cell stabilizer.

Currently available 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 Alaway® is OTC but not generic, you can bet it'll have a hefty price tag attached when it hits the shelves in spring 2007. And the patient will now be paying that price - not the insurance companies.