Allergic conjunctivitis affects one in 10 Australians.1 Zaditen (ketotifen 0.025%) is a first-line eye drop option for itchy allergy eyes,2 providing three-way action to help relieve itching, decrease swelling, and reduce redness associated with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.3
After a period of limited availability, Zaditen is back in stock in pharmacies in Australia. With both antihistamine and mast cell stabilising properties, it works within minutes, lasts for up to 12 hours, and is suitable for adults and children three years and older.3
Differentiating Acute Red Eye Presentations
Although red eyes may look similar, clinical clues around onset, symptoms, and course can help identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate management. Table 1 (below) summarises key clinical differences between common causes of red eye.4,5
Table 1. Key clinical differences between common causes of red eye, and where Zaditen is indicated.
Allergy Eye Drops for Targeted Relief
When an allergic conjunctivitis diagnosis is established, oral antihistamines or intranasal corticosteroids may be recommended with saline eye drops or eye washes, especially when allergic rhinitis is also present.2
If these are inadequate for relieving ocular symptoms, medicated eye drops offer targeted treatment of ocular symptoms, although the choice of product is important.2,6
Topical decongestants or vasoconstrictors are not recommended for allergic conjunctivitis due to the risk of rebound eye redness, which can lead to potential overuse, and they do not target the key symptom of itch.2,6
Instead, Therapeutic Guidelines recommends other options.2
- Antihistamines (levocabastine 0.05%) provide rapid relief of symptoms.
- Mast cell stabilisers (cromoglycate 2%, lodoxamide 0.1%) take longer to work than antihistamines – up to two weeks – but provide sustained benefit.
- Agents with both antihistamine and mast cell stabiliser properties (ketotifen 0.025%, azelastine 0.05%, olopatadine 0.1%) offer short- and long-term relief and are generally considered more effective than antihistamines or mast cell stabilisers.
Based on these mechanisms, dual-action antihistamine and mast cell stabiliser eye drops are recommended first-line.2
Zaditen contains ketotifen 0.025% and has demonstrated efficacy in reducing redness, swelling, and itch, and is indicated for adults and children three years and older.3
With Zaditen available again during the allergy season, healthcare professionals can recommend it for suitable patients with allergic conjunctivitis. Care Pharmaceuticals has confirmed stock is being progressively replenished throughout pharmacies across Australia.
For more information about Zaditen, access the Allergic Conjunctivitis Treatments Chart here.
References
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Allergy and immune diseases in Australia: AIDA report 2013 [Internet]. Sydney: ASCIA; 2013. Available at: allergy.org.au/images/stories/reports/ASCIA_AIDA_Report_2013.pdf [accessed Sept 2026].
- Therapeutic Guidelines. Allergic rhinitis. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2026 Jun. Available at: tg.org.au [accessed Sept 2026].
- Care Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd. Australian product information: Zaditen (ketotifen) eye drops solution. February 2023.
- Gin C, Crock C, Wells K. Conjunctivitis: a review. Aust J Gen Pract. 2024;53(11):847-852. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-09-23-6960.
- Therapeutic Guidelines. Conjunctivitis. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2025 Dec. Available at: tg.org.au [accessed Sept 2026].
- Leonardi A, Quintieri L, Kuna P, et al. Allergic conjunctivitis management: update on ophthalmic solutions. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2024;24(7):347-360. doi: 10.1007/s11882-024-01150-0.