Allergic contact dermatitis in response to ketotifen fumarate contained in eye drops

Ketotifen (as hydrogen fumarate) is a second-generation noncompetitive H1-antihistamine with a strong effect on stabilizing mast cells, and it is available on the market in topical and oral formulations. Besides its anti-histaminic activity, it is also a functional leukotriene antagonist and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Nowadays, ketotifen eye drops are available without medical prescription (over-the-counter), and are thus widely used as medication to treat allergic ocular diseases, such as seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis. Rarely, topical ketotifen contained in ophthalmic solutions has been described as sensitizing. CASE REPORT

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