Compare Zaditor vs. Acular

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Zaditor (ketotifen)

Over-the-counter

Acular (Ketorolac eye drops)

Prescription only
Relieves itchy eyes due to allergies.

Zaditor (ketotifen) is the first-choice OTC treatment for allergy-related itchy eyes, but it doesn't treat infections and may not help for more serious allergies.

Relieves eye pain, itching, and inflammation.

Acular (Ketorolac eye drops) is a good choice to help bring down inflammation and pain, especially if you're recovering from eye surgery, but it must be used 4 times a day.

Upsides
  • Works within minutes to relieve itchy eyes.
  • Available to buy over-the-counter, which makes it cheaper.
  • Can use in children age 3 or older.
  • Unlike pills which can affect your whole body, Zaditor (ketotifen) only affects your eyes, which means it has less side effects than anti-allergy pills.
  • Acular (Ketorolac eye drops) won't affect your eye pressure, which is a concern for people with glaucoma.
  • Acular (Ketorolac eye drops) is well tolerated with minimal side effects.
  • The medication isn't absorbed into the rest of your body, so its effects are limited to the eye.
Downsides
  • Can only use Zaditor (ketotifen) for a short period of time.
  • Administering the medication into the eye safely may be more difficult for some people than taking anti-allergy pills.
No information currently available
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Used for
  • Post operative inflammation
  • Allergy-related itchy eyes
  • Cystoid macular edema
Dosage forms
  • Eye drops
  • Eye drops
Price
Lowest price
$9.68
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Lowest price
$15.89
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Reviews
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Side effects
The Zaditor (ketotifen) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
8possible side effects
  • Temporary eye pain or burning
    40%
  • Allergic reactions
    5%
  • Eye swelling
    5%
  • Iris infection
    5%
  • Eye inflammation
    5%
  • Eye irritation
    5%
  • Corneal inflammation
    5%
  • Superficial eye infections
    5%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Allergy to ingredients
  • Risk for eye infection
  • Not to be used with contact lenses
    • Those who wear soft contact lenses
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Slow healing
    • Concurrent injuries
  • Breathing problems
    • Asthma
    • History of breathing problems
  • Increased bleeding
    • History of bleeding disorders
    • Using other medicines that increase risk of bleeding
  • Cornea problems
    • History of eye problems
    • Multiple eye surgeries
    • Eye disease
    • rheumatoid arthritis
  • Don't wear contacts
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Zaditor (ketotifen)
Learn more about Acular (Ketorolac eye drops)