Generic name: latanoprost [ la-TAN-oh-prost ]
Brand names: Xalatan, Xelpros
Drug class: Ophthalmic glaucoma agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 7, 2023.

Uses for latanoprost

Latanoprost eye drops is used to treat certain kinds of glaucoma. It is also used to treat a condition called hypertension of the eyealone or together with other medicines to lower pressure inside the eye that is caused by open-angle glaucoma or ocular (eye) hypertension. Latanoprost appears to work by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye. This lowers the pressure in the eye.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using latanoprost

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of latanoprost eye drops in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of latanoprost eye drops in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Aphakia (no lens in the eyes) or
• Eye inflammation (eg, iritis or uveitis), history of or
• Herpes simplex eye infection, history of or
• Patients with torn artificial lenses—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Eye infection or inflammation, active—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

Related/similar drugs

epinephrine ophthalmic, timolol ophthalmic, pilocarpine ophthalmic, brimonidine ophthalmic, Lumigan, Xalatan, Combigan

Proper use of latanoprost

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use if for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

To use the eye drops:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you use this medicine.
• Shake well just before each use.
• Tilt your head back. Press your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid and pull it away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed. Serious damage to the eye and possible loss of vision may result from using contaminated eye medicines.

You should not use this medicine if you have contact lenses in your eyes. Remove your contact lenses before using it. Wait at least 15 minutes after you use the medicine before putting the contact lenses back in.

If you will be using latanoprost with other eye medicines, use them at least 5 minutes apart from each other.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic emulsion dosage form (eye drops):
  • For glaucoma or hypertension of the eye:
    • Adults—One drop in the affected eye once a day in the evening.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Xalatan®: Store the unopened bottle in the refrigerator. You may keep the opened bottle in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 6 weeks.

Precautions while using latanoprost

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you are allergic to this medicine.

This medicine may cause blurred vision or other vision problems. If these occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well. If these eye changes are bothersome, check with your doctor.

While you are using latanoprost, the iris (colored part) of your treated eye may slowly become more brown in color. This is more likely to happen if you have blue-brown, gray-brown, green-brown, or yellow-brown eyes. You may notice this change usually within several months or years from the start of treatment. You may also have darkening of the eyelid skin color or longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes. These changes to the iris, eyelid, and lashes may be permanent even if you stop using latanoprost. However, any of these changes will affect only the eye being treated with latanoprost. Check with your doctor if you have any concerns about this.

Side Effects of latanoprost

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Eye pain or stinging

Less common

• Decreased vision
• painful irritation of the clear front part of the eye
• swelling or redness of the eye and the lining of the eyelid

Incidence not known

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blurred vision or other change in vision
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• chest pain or discomfort
• chest tightness or heaviness
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• discharge, excessive tearing
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• noisy breathing
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• sensitivity of the eye to light
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• tearing
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Drainage from the eyes
• longer and thicker eyelashes

Less common

• Eyelash discoloration
• feeling of having something in the eye

Incidence not known

• Darkening of the eyelid skin color
• dizziness
• headache

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Xalatan
• Xelpros

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Emulsion

Therapeutic Class: Antiglaucoma

Pharmacologic Class: Prostaglandin

Frequently asked questions

• What is the difference between Xelpros and Xalatan?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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