Ketotifen, sold under the brand name Zaditor among others, is a second-generation noncompetitive H1-antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer. It is most commonly sold as a salt with fumaric acid, ketotifen fumarate, and is available in two forms. In its ophthalmic form, it is used to treat allergic conjunctivitis. In its oral form, it is used to prevent asthma attacks or anaphylaxis, as well as various mast cell, allergic-type disorders.It was patented in 1970 and came into medical use in 1976. Medical uses
Ketotifen relieves and prevents eye itchiness and/or irritation associated with most seasonal allergies. It starts working within minutes after administering the drops. The drug has not been studied in children under three. The mean elimination half life is 12 hours. Besides its anti-histaminic activity, it is also a functional leukotriene antagonist and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. "[O]ral ketotifen has been used in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, cold-induced urticaria, cholinergic urticaria, exercise-induced urticaria, [systemic mast cell disease including mastocytosis, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), allergic and nonallergic anaphylaxis, angioedema], and food allergy in Canada, Europe, and Mexico." Now available via prescription at US compounding pharmacies: "For adults and older children with asthma or allergic disease, the recommended dose of ketotifen is 1 mg twice daily." "FDA staff did recommend more extensive evaluations for management of urticaria. "The drug may also help relieve irritable bowel syndrome. Side effects
Side effects of systemic (oral) use include drowsiness, weight gain (11-12lbs), dry mouth, irritability, and increased nosebleeds.
Hormonal contraceptives also have effects on the endometrium that theoretically could affect implantation; however, no scientific evidence indicates that prevention of implantation actually results from their use.The 20 cm2 Ortho Evra contraceptive patch contains 750 µg ethinylestradiol (an estrogen) and 6000 µg norelgestromin (a progestin). The 20 cm2 Evra contraceptive patch contains 600 µg ethinylestradiol and 6000 µg norelgestromin. The Ortho Evra contraceptive patch and the Evra contraceptive patch are both intended to gradually release into the systemic circulation approximately 20 µg/day of ethinylestradiol and 150 µg/day of norelgestromin. Lawsuits
The patch has been associated with strokes and thrombosis and the mechanism for hormone absorption and dissipation from the bodys tissues is different from "the pill". Several lawsuits have been instigated over these issues.A lawsuit filed in Federal Court in New Jersey on September 2, 2005, by a Georgia woman who had a pulmonary embolism alleges the company promoted the patch despite knowledge of its health risks, for financial gain, while failing to warn of the risks of blood clots and other injuries.The parents of a 14-year-old girl from Wisconsin have filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson because they claim that she died from a blood clot that arose from her use of the patch. References
External links
"Ethinyl Estradiol mixture with norelgestromin". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Feminist Womens Health Center
Planned Parenthood: The Patch