Compare Zaditor vs. azelastine

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

Zaditor (ketotifen)

Over-the-counter

azelastine

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 itchy eyes due to allergies.

azelastine works very quickly to relieve itchy eyes due to allergies, but it is available by prescription only.

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.

Works as quickly as within 3 minutes to relieve itchy eyes and can last up to 8 hours.
azelastine just needs to be used twice daily to be effective.
Most people will only experience mild and temporary side effects like burning and stinging in the eyes.
Relatively cheap compared to other similar prescription eye drop medicines.

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.