Many parents today, unfortunately, face such a serious problem as allergies in their children. When identifying this unpleasant ailment, pediatricians usually prescribe various kinds of medications to their small patients. For example, quite often with an allergy a child is prescribed āKetotifenā. Reviews of parents about the tool are not bad, they note its effectiveness and gentleness of action.
What kind of drug?
Represents the medicine āKetotifenā generic of the popular Swiss drug āZaditenā. That is, it has an absolutely identical composition to this drug, but it is not branded. Ketotifen is produced by Russian and Belarusian companies and costs much less than Zaditen.
Can Ketotifen help a child: reviews
In Russia, this drug is actually very popular. According to many parents, this remedy is often better for children with allergies than other medicines of the same purpose. Some netizens find this drug somewhat outdated. However, in most cases, parents still note that with allergies it is almost always effective.
For example, it is believed that āKetotifenā for dermatitis can be very useful for children. This medicine has earned good reviews from those parents whose children suffer from allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, etc. The only thing is that users advise parents to give this medicine to children only in the way the doctor recommended. Otherwise, it will most likely not be of benefit.
In addition to the effectiveness of the action, parents attribute, of course, its low cost to the advantages of Ketotifen. The price per pack of such tablets, for example, usually does not exceed 50 rubles.
Release form and composition
This medicine may be supplied to pharmacies in the form of syrup, tablets, or eye drops. Its main active ingredient is ketotifen itself. One tablet of this component contains 1 mg (it contains 2 mg of Zaditen). In this case, the composition of the syrup manufacturers include 1 mg / 5 ml of the active substance. Ketotifen eye drops contain 0.25 mg / ml.
Also in the composition of this medicine, of course, various kinds of additional components are included. This can be, for example, starch, lactose monohydrate, sodium chloride, etc. For the treatment of children, according to the instructions from the manufacturer, all three dosage forms of this drug can be used.
How does it affect the body
What happens after Ketotifen enters the childās body? In the reviews, parents note, as already mentioned, its mild action. After taking this medicine, its active substance begins to stabilize mast cells in the child's body. This in turn leads to a cessation of the production of histamine and other mediators of allergies and inflammation.
With all this, the drug effectively prevents asthmatic attacks. Acts on the body of adults and children, this medicine is completely different from the popular traditional antihistamines. To achieve the desired effect, the active substance "Ketotifen" must accumulate in the body of the child.
The course of treatment with this drug, doctors usually prescribe for children within 2-3 months. In order for this tool to work effectively, it must be taken regularly and without interruption.
This medicine does not have a bronchodilatory effect on the patientās body. However, the drug is able to effectively prevent bronchospasm. Despite the fact that this remedy refers to a long-acting drug, it can also have an instant effect. This drug warns bronchospasm within about 1.5-2 hours after administration.
Indications for use for children
Pediatricians usually prescribe this medicine if the child has the following problems:
- allergic rhinitis;
- atopic dermatitis;
- atopic bronchial asthma;
- urticaria;
- allergic bronchitis;
- seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
In all these cases, children can be prescribed both tablets and Ketotifen syrup. In case of allergic conjunctivitis, pediatricians usually prescribe a drug in the form of eye drops to children.
What are contraindications?
What is prescribed "Ketotifen" for children is now clear. But can you always use this medicine to treat allergies? Like any other drug, Ketotifen, of course, has its own contraindications. These may include, for example:
- individual intolerance to any components;
- period of pregnancy and lactation.
According to the instructions for use for children, āKetotifenā in the form of a syrup cannot be prescribed if they have not yet reached the age of 6 months. Pediatricians can prescribe tablets and eye drops only to patients from 3 years.
What you need to know
Unlike the branded preparation Zaditena, the composition of the generic Ketotifen as an additional substance may include not corn, but potato or wheat starch. Unfortunately, the individual intolerance of these two components in children is quite common. Of course, in this case, the drug "Ketotifen" may cause the development of allergies in the child. That is, from taking it the baby will only get worse. Of course, parents need to know about this. Hypersensitivity may occur, of course, on other components of this medicine.
In some cases, giving āKetotifenā to a child from allergies is possible, but with caution. For example, children with liver diseases, as well as those suffering from epilepsy, should take this medicine exclusively under the supervision of a doctor.
Ketotifen tablets: instructions for use for children and adults
Patients take this medicine orally with food. In this case, adults are usually prescribed 1 mg 2 times a day in the morning and in the evening. In some cases, as prescribed by a doctor, the dosage may be increased to 2 mg twice a day.
Children, as already mentioned, this drug is allowed to give only three years old. Pediatricians prescribe this medicine to their young patients, usually also in the amount of 1 mg. In such a dose, "Ketotifen" is supposed to be given to the child twice a day. In this case, patients should also take medicine in the morning and evening. At the same time, patients should drink āKetotifenā with meals.
In most cases, the course of treatment with this drug in children lasts at least 3 months. In this case, the abolition of therapy is carried out subsequently gradually - within 2-4 weeks.
Instructions for use of syrup
Quite often, the doctor prescribes this particular form of āKetotifenā to the child. There are good reviews, including those that donāt have a too bitter taste. Children usually do not refuse to take a medicine in this form.
Like tablets, it is supposed to take such a drug in the evening and in the morning with food. At the same time, the dosage of Ketotifen syrup for children from the age of three years is usually 5 ml twice a day. For babies from 6 months to three years, pediatricians most often prescribe 2.5 ml of the drug in this form.
Sometimes "Ketotifen" may be prescribed for adults. In this case, dosages are also usually chosen in such a quantity that in a day the patient receives 2 mg of the active substance of the medicine in two doses. In some cases, the daily dose of Ketotifen for adults can be increased to 4 mg.
How to take drops
In this form, the medicine "Ketotifen" for allergies in children can be prescribed only from three years. Doctors usually prescribe 1 drop of this medicine in a conjunctival sac twice a day. In this case, the course of treatment with Ketotifen most often lasts also 2-3 months. However, any noticeable effect in children is observed after about 2-3 weeks of therapy. Doctors reduce the dosage of drops, as when taking tablets or syrup, gradually - over several weeks. It is impossible for patients to abruptly cancel Ketotifen in any form, since this can lead to a relapse of asthmatic syndrome.
What side effects can cause
Usually, āKetotifenā in the treatment of children does not lead to any negative reactions of the body. However, in some cases, side effects from taking this medication in patients can still appear. Most often, āKetotifenā, judging by the reviews, causes drowsiness in children. If you are allergic to any components of the drug in patients on the body, urticaria may appear. Also, during treatment with this drug in children, symptoms such as anxiety, slowdowns of the reaction rate, dry mouth and some others are sometimes observed.