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Ketotifen

Ketotifen

Get clinician-approved Ketotifen for mast cell activation and neuroinflammation.

ME/CFSLong COVIDMCAS
Shortness of BreathHeadachesCoughAllergic ReactionsFlushingSwelling
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Pricing Example

RTHM Safety Assessment

Only charged if approved

$59

Pharmacy Cost

90-day supply + shipping

$100

Total for 90 days

With RTHM discount

$159

RTHM Safety
Assessment Fee

Paid every 90 days
(only charged if approved)

$59

Pharmacy
Cost

90-day supply + shipping, paid to the pharmacy

$100

Estimated total
for 90 days

With RTHM discount

$159

Calm Your Immune System

Ketotifen calms overactive histamine and chemical release in the body, often linked with conditions like MCAS, Long COVID, and ME/CFS.

Clear Brain Fog

By reducing chronic neuroinflammation and stabilizing your immune system, ketotifen can improve focus, memory, and overall cognitive function.

Get Back to Baseline Faster

Ketotifen helps to accelerate recovery from symptom flares and PEM (post-exertional malaise) by reducing the inflammatory response.

Is Ketotifen right for me?

Ketotifen is widely prescribed for the treatment of allergies, and can also be useful in managing symptoms triggered by mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). MCAS symptoms can include:

  • Skin symptoms: Flushing, itching, rashes, hives, or swelling
  • Allergy symptoms: Sneezing, runny nose, eye irritation
  • Digestive issues: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or constipation
  • Neurological symptoms: Headaches, brain fog, difficulty concentrating
  • Autonomic symptoms: Heart palpitations, blood pressure changes, dizziness
  • Respiratory problems: Shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness
  • General symptoms: Fatigue, temperature sensitivity, sleep disturbances

Patients with Long COVID, ME/CFS, or other illnesses who experience these symptoms may find relief with ketotifen as well, because it helps to control the underlying mast cell activation that frequently contributes to these conditions.

Common side effects are typically mild and may include drowsiness, dry mouth, and increased appetite/weight gain. Many patients find that these effects diminish with continued use. It's advisable to have a healthcare provider determine the optimal starting dose and any potential interactions with other medications.

Ketotifen has been used safely for decades with a well-established safety profile.

Certain medical conditions can affect the use of this medication. Let your physician know if you have any of the following conditions:

  • If you have more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day. Alcohol can exacerbate the side effects of ketotifen.
  • Severe kidney or liver disease can adversely affect the metabolism of ketotifen.
  • If you have symptoms of fainting (syncope), near fainting (near-syncope) or seizures ketotifen can exacerbate syncope and seizures.
  • If you have an allergy to ketotifen or any of its active ingredients.

You should not take ketotifen if you are on any of the following medications.

  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
  • Donepezil (Aricept)
  • Pitolisant (Wakix)
  • Bromperidol (Bromidol, Impromen)
  • Orphenadrine
  • Oxomemazine
  • Kratom
  • Thalidomide
  • Amifampridine (Firdapse)

Research Studies

This 2023 study shows that many with Long COVID also experience a strong symptom overlap with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). H1 antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers (Ketotifen is both) are used to improve symptoms including skin, gastrointestinal, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in MCAS, and can be used to manage such symptoms in Long COVID.

"Immunological dysfunction and mast cell activation syndrome in long COVID"

View Study

This 2023 study suggests that Ketotifen may help alleviate COVID-related brain fog by reducing chronic neuro-inflammation. Ketotifen achieves this by stabilizing mast cells—which directly activate microglia in the brain—and by inhibiting Kv1.3 potassium channels on brain leukocytes like microglia and lymphocytes. This dual action can suppress the overactive innate and adaptive immune responses responsible for neuropsychiatric symptoms such as short-term memory loss and difficulty concentrating in long COVID patients.

"Brain Leukocytes as the Potential Therapeutic Target for Post-COVID-19 Brain Fog"

View Study

Recent animal studies (2022 and 2023) have demonstrated ketotifen's effectiveness in reducing various types of inflammation. Specifically, research has shown that ketotifen suppresses neuroinflammation, reduces intestinal inflammation, and decreases systemic inflammation. These findings suggest potential therapeutic benefits for conditions characterized by chronic inflammatory processes.

"Repositioning of the anti-histaminic drug ketotifen fumarate as a neuro-modulatory and anti-inflammatory intervention in multiple sclerosis"

View Study

A 2023 patient registry analysis found that antihistamines like ketotifen were among the most frequently reported helpful interventions for Long COVID symptoms, particularly for cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, and post-exertional malaise.

"What helps Long Covid patients? Comparisons of complementary interventions for self-management"

View Study

What People Are Saying About Their Experience with Ketotifen

"After one month, I had no more gut issues. After two months, the burning went away in my fingers and toes. … and my mental state improved drastically. A dramatic difference."

u/[Deleted]reddit.com

"After about a month I noticed improvements. I’m 2 months now and I’d say my brain fog has lifted about 75-80%. I’m now doing things I haven’t done in 2 years. It’s a game changer."

u/DaveFromColoradoreddit.com

"I took ketotifen during my long covid experience… I noticed improvements including better sleep, less congestion, less redness in the face and overall inflammation."

u/Spiritual_Victory541reddit.com