Zaditen (Ketotifen) Eye Drops Are Back in Australia
Good News for Allergy Sufferers: Zaditen Eye Drops Are Back
After more than a year off Australian pharmacy shelves, Zaditen (ketotifen) eye drops are finally back in stock around the country. For those who have been struggling through allergy seasons without it, this is a welcome return: during the shortage, many patients had to make do with alternatives that didn’t work quite as well for them.
What is ketotifen?
Ketotifen, the active ingredient in Zaditen, is a dual-action anti-allergy medication: it is an antihistamine, so it relieves itch quickly, and a mast cell stabiliser, so it helps stop the allergic reaction from firing in the first place. That combination is why Zaditen has long been one of the most effective over-the-counter treatments for ocular allergies. It is back on shelves in both forms: preservative-free single-dose ampoules and a multi-dose bottle.
A Timely Reminder: Don’t Rub Your Eyes
The return of Zaditen is a good opportunity to repeat one of the most important messages in eye care: avoid rubbing your eyes.
Itchy eyes make rubbing almost irresistible, but rubbing is one of the biggest risk factors for developing keratoconus — a condition where the cornea progressively thins and warps into a cone shape, distorting vision. In many patients with keratoconus, chronic eye rubbing (often driven by untreated allergy) appears to play a major role, and continued rubbing can make the condition worse.
This is exactly why treating ocular allergy properly matters. When drops like Zaditen control the itch, the urge to rub disappears — and with it, a significant risk to the long-term health of your cornea.
So if allergies have you reaching for your eyes: reach for the drops instead. And if you or your children are persistent eye rubbers, especially with blurry or changing vision, it’s worth having your corneas checked.
When drops aren’t enough
If your eyes stay itchy despite regular anti-allergy drops, don’t just put up with it. Persistent ocular allergy deserves proper assessment, both to get the inflammation under control and to protect your corneas from the rubbing it provokes. You can read my allergy management plan for the stepwise approach I use in clinic, or book an appointment if your allergy isn’t settling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Zaditen discontinued?
Zaditen wasn't permanently discontinued. It was unavailable in Australia for more than a year because of a supply interruption, which left many allergy sufferers scrambling for substitutes. Supply has now resumed and it is back on pharmacy shelves around the country.
Is Zaditen available at Chemist Warehouse and other pharmacies?
It should be. Zaditen is sold over the counter and is stocked by the major Australian pharmacy chains as well as independent pharmacies. Stock can still vary from store to store while supply settles, so it is worth calling ahead or asking your pharmacist to order it in.
Is there a single-use or preservative-free Zaditen?
Yes. Zaditen comes both as preservative-free single-dose ampoules and as a multi-dose bottle. The single-use ampoules suit people who are sensitive to preservatives or who use drops frequently through allergy season.
What are the alternatives to Zaditen?
Yes. Other dual-action antihistamine and mast-cell-stabiliser eye drops use different active ingredients, such as olopatadine and azelastine. Your pharmacist or eye-care practitioner can point you to a suitable option, and if itch persists despite regular drops it is worth seeing an eye specialist, because chronic rubbing is a major risk factor for keratoconus.
