Ketotifen Fumarate (Zaditen®) Eye Drops in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis

Overview

A group of 25 patients with signs of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis treated during the period of 2 to 6 month with ketotifen fumarate 0,05 % eye drops 2-3 times daily (Zaditen® eye drops, Novartis Ophthalmic, AG, Switzerland) is described here.As subjective symptoms of itching, stinging, tearing, and mucous discharge were observed and evaluated, as well as objective signs of hyperemia of the conjunctiva and hypertrophy of the tarsal papillae. Similarly the onset of action, duration time, and toleration of the drug were assessed. Subjective symptoms disappeared after 10 days of treatment duration in 60 % to 80 % patients, after two months of treatment were present in the range 0 % to 20 %. Objective signs diminished after 10 days of treatment in 60 % - 72 % patients, and after 2 months in 72 % to 96 % of patients. Hypertrophy of papillae of the tarsal conjunctiva did not totally disap-pear even after 6 month of treatment with ketotifen fumarate eye drops. Onset of action in all patients was 20 minutes or less, the duration of action was in the range of 8 - 13 hours. The drug was found as a good tolerable by all patients. Sixteen per cent of patients felt some burning following the instillation. The study states that ketotifen fumarate 0,05 % eye drops are effective in a monotherapy of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Due to its multiple action, the drug prevents the allergic reaction as well. Subjective symptoms are influenced faster and more effective than the objective signs. The treatment of objective signs needs prolonged use of these drops.

Key words:
seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, local antiallergic drugs, ketotifen fumarate, Zaditen