Ketotifen (Zaditen)?

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From Wikipedia:

Ketotifen is a second-generation H1-antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer. It

is most commonly sold in as a salt of Fumaric Acid, Ketotifen fumarate, and is

available in two forms. In its ophthalmic form, it is used to treat allergic

conjunctivitis, or the itchy red eyes caused by allergies. In its oral form, it

is used to prevent asthma attacks.

Does anyone have experence with this medication? Is it possible it could be

useful in samters? From what I read it seems like it is a drug related to

sodium cromolyn but can be metabolized orally. However, it is not available in

the US.

Allergy. 1980 Jul;35(5):421-4.

Inhibition by ketotifen of idiosyncratic reactions to aspirin.

Szczeklik A, Czerniawska-Mysik G, Serwonska M, Kuklinski P.

Abstract

Ketotifen administered prior to aspirin offered protection against

bronchoconstriction in 13 of 14 patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma. In four

other subjects, suffering from urticaria/angioedema following ingestion of

aspirin-like drugs, pretreatment with ketotifen resulted in total prevention of

the adverse reactions. These results support the suggestion of a common

pathogenetic mechanism operating in two distinct clinical patterns of

idiosyncrasy to aspirin and other cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. They also indicate

that ketotifen might find application in treatment of adverse reactions to

aspirin.

PMID:

6108727

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

J Asthma. 1991;28(2):117-28.

The histological and histochemical effects of ketotifen in allergic rhinitis.

Talaat MA, Inaam PK, Mohammed MH, Ibrahim TE.

Source

E N T Department, Faculty of Medicine, andria University, Egypt.

Abstract

The effects of a three-month course of oral ketotifen on the histology and

histochemistry of nasal mucosa, assessed on punch biopsy material, were studied

in 30 adults with perennial allergic rhinitis. Ketotifen treatment was

associated with reversal of the histopathology and enzyme changes in every case.

Two months after stopping therapy, the rhinitis changes had returned in all 10

patients from whom posttreatment punch biopsies were taken. Other patients whose

symptoms were relieved declined a third biopsy. Five normal volunteers were

included as controls. The pretreatment mucosal biopsies showed variations in

goblet cell population, thickened basement membranes, hypertrophied serous

glands, diminished or absent mucus glands, and varying degrees of cellular

infiltrates. There was marked edema with separation of collagen fibers and

epithelial metaplasia especially in patients with long-standing allergy and

nasal polyps. Ketotifen therapy was linked with reversal of the epithelial

changes to normal, marked reduction in edema and cellular infiltration, and the

retention of granules by mast cells. Changes in mucosal content of succinic

dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase; high tissue levels of both which are

associated with allergic rhinitis, also diminished towards the control levels

during ketotifen therapy, only to return after its cessation.

PMID:

2013559

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]