Alaway Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Alaway Eye Drops contain ketotifen, an ophthalmic antihistamine, and are available over-the-counter. They are used in adults and children at least 3 years old to temporarily relieve itchy eyes caused by allergies such as dust, pollen, grass, and animals. A single drop can begin working within minutes and provide relief for up to about 12 hours.

What is Alaway Eye Drops

Alaway is an over-the-counter antihistamine eye drop containing ketotifen. It is used in adults and children at least 3 years old to temporarily relieve itchy eyes caused by allergies such as dust, pollen, grass, and animals.

Alaway Eye Drops uses

• Temporarily treats itching of the eyes caused by allergy to dust, pollen, grass, animals, or other allergens

Benefits of Alaway Eye Drops

• Stops itchy eyes right at the source
• Starts working within minutes of application
• Provides up to 12 hours of relief with a single drop
• Available over-the-counter without a prescription
• Safe for adults and children aged 3 years and older

How Alaway Eye Drops works

Alaway (ketotifen fumarate 0.035%) is an antihistamine eye drop used to relieve itchy eyes caused by allergies.

It blocks histamine (H1 receptors). Histamine is released during an allergic reaction and causes itching, redness, and irritation. Ketotifen also stabilizes mast cells, helping reduce the release of inflammatory substances involved in allergic reactions. This reduces allergy-related eye itching and irritation. It generally starts working within minutes and can provide relief for up to about 12 hours.

In simple words: Alaway blocks the allergy signals responsible for itchy eyes and helps calm the allergic reaction.

Alaway Eye Drops dosage

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses; the product may contain a preservative that can permanently stain the lenses, so wait at least 10 minutes before putting contact lenses back in. Wash your hands before using eye medication.

To apply: pull down the lower eyelid to create a small pocket, squeeze a drop into the pocket, then close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes. Use only the prescribed number of drops. If using other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between products. Do not let the dropper tip touch your eye or any other surface, since a contaminated dropper can infect the eye. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed color, or has particles in it.

Do not let a young child use this medicine without help from an adult. Children under 3 years of age should only use this medicine after consulting a doctor.

Available forms and strengths

• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops), ketotifen fumarate 0.035%
• Single-use vials
• Multi-dose bottle

Side effects of Alaway Eye Drops

Common

• Eye redness and swelling
• Headaches
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Burning or stinging of eyes
• Dry eyes
• Eyelid disorder
• Eye sensitivity to light
• Increase in size of pupils
• Sore throat
• Tearing
• Eye discharge
• Eye discomfort
• Eye pain
• Increased itching of eyes

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Eye pain or changes in vision
• Eye itching that gets worse or lasts longer than 72 hours
• Severe burning, stinging, or eye irritation after using the eye drops
• Signs of eye infection: swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage

Warnings and precautions

• Ask a doctor before using Alaway if you are pregnant.
• Ask a doctor before using Alaway if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not use if you are allergic or sensitive to any ingredient.
• Do not use to treat contact-lens-related eye irritation.
• Do not use if the solution becomes cloudy or changes color.
• Remove contact lenses before using Alaway and wait at least 10 minutes before putting them back in.
• Do not touch the dropper tip to the eye, fingers, or other surfaces to prevent contamination.
• If using other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between products.
• Stop using and consult a doctor if you develop eye pain, vision changes, eye redness, or if itching worsens or lasts for more than 72 hours.
• Do not use Alaway if you are allergic to it, or if you have eye irritation caused by wearing contact lenses.
• Do not let a young child use Alaway without help from an adult.
• Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.
• A contaminated dropper can infect your eye and lead to serious vision problems, so avoid touching the tip to your eye or any surface.
• Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, seek medical help or contact a poison-control center.

Storage

• Each single-use vial is for one use only (in both eyes). Store the unused vials in the original foil pouch and protect from light. Throw the vial away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.
• Store at room temperature, in an upright position and tightly closed. Do not freeze.
• Store at 4-25 °C (39-77 °F)

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using Alaway and call your doctor at once if you have eye pain, changes in vision, eye itching that gets worse or lasts longer than 72 hours, severe burning, stinging, or irritation, or signs of eye infection like swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage.
• If someone accidentally swallows the medicine, seek emergency medical attention or contact a poison control center right away.

Alternatives

• Zaditor
• Patanol
• Azelastine