Indications
Stafen is indicated in the prophylactic treatment of bronchial asthma and also for the prevention and treatment of allergic conditions such as rhinitis, allergic bronchitis, acute and chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis and conjunctivitis.
The drug is particularly of value in patients who suffer from more than one atopic disease, e.g. asthma and rhinitis, when one formulation benefits both conditions.
Dosage & Administration
The usual dose of Stafen is 1 mg twice daily, increased if necessary to 2 mg twice daily: 1 mg twice daily, increased if necessary to 2 mg twice daily; initial treatment in readily sedated patients 0.5 – 1 mg at night. For children over 2 years, 1 mg twice daily. infants as young as 6 months of age – 0.5 mg twice daily. No dosage adjustment is required for the elderly patients.
Side Effects
The symptomatic side effects of Ketotifen are few and relatively minor. The common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth and slight dizziness and occasionally CNS stimulation and weight gain. The incidence of drowsiness appears to decline during extended period of treatment. Fewer side effects are reported in children.
Contraindications
Concomitant therapy of Ketotifen and oral antidiabetics should be avoided.
Drug interaction
A reversible fall in the platelet count has been observed in a few patients receiving Ketotifen concomitantly with oral antidiabetics and it has been suggested that this combination should therefore be avoided. Since Ketotifen has the properties of the antihistamines, it may potentiate the effects of other CNS depressant drugs such as alcohol, antihistamines, hypnotics and sedatives.
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