Product Descritpion
Have you tried over the counter allergy eye drops like Opticrom and Sodium Cromoglycate to manage your hay fever? Have you found them to be less effective than expected? Then you might benefit from prescription-strength allergy eye drops like Ketofall.
Ketofall eye drops contain an antihistamine called Ketotifen, which is used for controlling allergies like hay fever. Ketofall is packaged in unit dose vials (containers) which makes them preservative-free and easy to carry about. Each pack of Ketofall contains 30 individual unit dose vials.
Unlike other over the counter antihistamine eye drops Ketotifen has 2 modes of action:
Antihistamine – blocks the action of histamine which is released from mast cells triggering the allergy symptoms.
Mast Cell Stabiliser – Prevents the mast cells from releasing histamine in the first place.
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is caused by exposure to common seasonal allergens like moulds and pollen. Unfortunately, in patients who suffer from allergic conjunctivitis, the body overreacts to these harmless allergens releasing histamine which ultimately causes the classic symptoms:
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Whites of the eye are red/pink
- Sometimes sneezing and a watery nasal discharge can occur
Common allergens like Pollen can be subdivided into different types, causing misery to the patient throughout the year. Typically tree pollen is present in the spring, grass pollen tends to be summer and weeds/fungal spores in the late summer through autumn.
If you are suffering the symptoms mentioned above affecting both eyes, made worse through being outside, and without sensitivity to light or significant yellow discharge, then there is a good chance you have seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
Directions
Ketofall eye drops can be used by adults 18 years and older who have previously suffered from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, also known as hay fever. This medicine can be safely used whilst breastfeeding.
It is particularly suited for individuals who have used other hay fever eye drops like sodium cromoglicate (Opticrom) and found it ineffective.
Patients who wear contact lenses. This is because Ketofall does not contain preservatives.
Adults and Children over 12 years: ONE drop in each eye TWICE DAILY. Suitable for regular, daily use.
1: Open one single-dose vial by gently twisting off the top of the container.
2: Take care not to touch the tip (nozzle) on the dropper.
3: Tilt your head backwards, pull down your lower eyelid, and put in ONE drop of Ketofall.
4: Repeat the process for the other eye.
You will likely have some liquid left in the dropper after use. Please throw this away immediately.
Do not reuse it later. This medicine does not contain preservatives and so can easily be contaminated with bacteria.
Once the foil pouch has been opened the unit dose containers can be kept for 28 days (4 weeks).
Ingredients
Active: Ketofall Unit Dose Containers contain 0.4ml of solution and 0.1mg of Ketotifen as Ketotifen fumarate.
In addition to the active ingredients each container will also contain the following inactive ingredients:
Glycerol (E422) Sodium hydroxide (E524) (for pH-adjustment) Water for injections
Please see the Patient Leaflet for further information
Each box contains 30 unit dose containers.
Side Effects
Ketofall is not associated with many side effects but eye irritation can occur after use, and momentarily the drops may blur your vision. If planning to drive or operate heavy machinery please ensure your vision is clear.
Other known side effects include:
Common:
- Eye irritation
- Eye pain
- Punctate Keratitis
- Punctate Corneal Epithelial Erosion (damaged cornea which is characterised by a pinpoint pattern)
Uncommon:
- Allergy to the eye drops
- Headache
- Dry eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Bloodshot eyes (conjunctival haemorrhage)
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Skin rash
- Eczema
- Urticaria
- Drowsiness
For more information please read the Patient Information Leaflet.
Warnings
Ketofall eye drops should not be used if you have a known allergy to Ketotifen or any of the other ingredients listed within the patient information leaflet.
There are no specific warnings or precautions that should be taken when using Ketofall and it is not expected to interact with other medication. If other eye drops are used then an interval of 5 minutes should be observed between drops to ensure each has sufficient time to be absorbed.
Pregnancy
There is not enough safety data to recommend prescribing Ketofall eye drops during pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Ketofall eye drops can be safely used when breastfeeding, studies have shown that only minimal amounts of Ketotifen are present in breastmilk (unlikely detectable).
Patient Information Leaflet
Please follow the link to view the patient information leaflet
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy Ketofall eye drops over the counter?
Ketofall eye drops are a prescription only medicine (POM), which means that they cannot be bought routinely over the counter at your local pharmacy like Boots, Asda or Superdrug.
It can however be prescribed by doctors and other non-medical healthcare professionals. Our pharmacy is ran by prescribing pharmacists.
Ketofall vs Olopatadine Eye drops
Ketofall and Opatanol (Olopatadine) are different drugs both licenced for treating allergic conjunctivitis. Both medicines have antihistamine and mast cell stabalising properties. The main difference between the two are the available formulations. Ketofall is preservative free and Olopatadine eye drops contain benzalkonium chloride, a preservative that is known to cause irritation and allergic reactions in susceptible patients with regular use.
Reviews
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