Ketotifen

The Basics

What is Ketotifen?

Used to relieve the itching of allergic pinkeye.

Brand names for Ketotifen

Zaditor

How Ketotifen is classified

Anti-Allergic Agents, Antihistamines, Antipruritic

Ketotifen During Pregnancy

Ketotifen pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Ketotifen while pregnant

Oral treatment of pregnant rabbits during organogenesis with 45 mg/kg/day of ketotifen (30,000 times the MRHOD) resulted in an increased incidence of retarded ossification of the sternebrae. However, no effects were observed in rabbits treated with up to 15 mg/kg/day (10,000 times the MRHOD). Similar treatment of rats during organogenesis with 100 mg/kg/day of ketotifen (66,667 times the MRHOD) did not reveal any biologically relevant effects. Oral treatment of pregnant rats (up to 100 mg/kg/day or 66,667 times the MRHOD) and rabbits (up to 45 mg/kg/day or 30,000 times the MRHOD) during organogenesis did not result in any biologically relevant embryofetal toxicity. In the offspring of the rats that received ketotifen orally from day 15 of pregnancy to day 21 post partum at 50 mg/kg/day (33,333 times the MRHOD), a maternally toxic treatment protocol, the incidence of postnatal mortality was slightly increased, and body weight gain during the first four days post partum was slightly decreased.

Taking Ketotifen While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Ketotifen?

Because absorption from the eye is limited, ketotifen would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants after maternal use of ketotifen eye drops. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Because absorption from the eye is limited, ketotifen would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants after maternal use of ketotifen eye drops. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Possible effects of Ketotifen on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Ketotifen

Cromolyn.