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Compare Xalatan vs. Combigan

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

Key takeaways

Latanoprost (Xalatan) and Combigan (brimonidine/timolol) are both used to lower eye pressure in conditions like glaucoma and ocular hypertension, but they work differently and have distinct characteristics. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin that helps fluid drain from the eye, and it's typically used once daily in the evening. Combigan, on the other hand, is a combination of an alpha agonist (brimonidine) and a beta blocker (timolol), which both reduce fluid production and help fluid flow out of the eye, and it is used twice a day. Latanoprost can cause changes in eye color and eyelash growth, while Combigan can affect your blood pressure and is not suitable for people with certain heart or lung conditions. Latanoprost is available in a generic form, making it more affordable, whereas Combigan is only available as a brand medication, which can be more expensive. Both medications require careful handling to avoid contamination and should not be used with contact lenses in place.

  • Latanoprost (Xalatan)
    Combigan (brimonidine / timolol)
  • Latanoprost (Xalatan)
    Combigan (brimonidine / timolol)

  • Summary of Xalatan vs. Combigan

    Summary for Prostaglandin
    Prescription only

    Latanoprost (Xalatan) helps lower pressure in the eye and is a popular medication for glaucoma, but it can cause changes to your eyelashes and eye color.

    Summary for Alpha agonist / Beta blocker
    Prescription only

    Combigan is a combination eye drop containing brimonidine (an alpha agonist) and timolol (a beta blocker). It's used to lower high pressure inside the eye in adults with conditions like glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Typically, you apply one drop to the affected eye(s) twice daily, about 12 hours apart. Common side effects include eye redness, itching, or dryness. Combigan (brimonidine / timolol) is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

  • Indications of Xalatan vs. Combigan

    Indications for
    •High pressure in the eye caused by ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye) or open-angle glaucoma (the most common type of glaucoma)
    Indications for

    Treatment of high pressure in the eye in people ages 2 years and older with:

    •Ocular hypertension
    •Open-angle glaucoma

  • Pros and Cons of Xalatan vs. Combigan

    Pros and Const for Prostaglandin
    Pros
    •Good at treating high eye pressure
    •Only used once a day
    •Causes less eye irritation than many alternatives
    •Xalatan brand is available as a cheaper, generic form.
    Cons
    •Can permanently change the color of your eyes
    •Can trigger herpes infections of the eye
    •Requires removal of soft contact lenses
    •Xelpros brand has no generic available
    Pros and Const for Alpha agonist / Beta blocker
    Pros
    •Convenient to have a single eye drop that combines two different medications
    •Can be stored at room temperature
    •Possible option for children older than 2 years old
    Cons
    •Used twice a day
    •Can cause tiredness or drowsiness in some people
    •Not for people with asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or certain heart-related problems

  • Common Side Effects of Xalatan vs. Combigan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Temporary stinging right after using (55% with Xelpros, 9% with Xalatan)
    •Red eye (41% with Xelpros, not common with Xalatan)
    •Red eyelids (15% with Xelpros, 8% with Xalatan)
    •Feeling like there is something in your eye (13% with Xalatan, 2% with Xelpros)
    •Eye discharge, extra "sleepers" in your eyes (12% with Xelpros, not common with Xalatan)
    •Eyelash growth (11% with Xelpros, not common with Xalatan)
    •Eye inflammation (10% with Xalatan, 1% with Xelpros)
    •Blurry vision (8% with Xalatan, not common with Xelpros)
    •Itchy eyes (8% with Xalatan, 5% with Xelpros)
    •Eye burning (7% with Xalatan, not common with Xelpros)
    •Darker eye color (7% with Xalatan, not common with Xelpros)
    Common Side Effects for

    Reported in up to 15% of people in clinical studies:

    •Eye redness
    •Eye itching
    •Eye burning or stinging

  • Warnings of Xalatan vs. Combigan

    Common Side Effects for
    •DARKER EYES, EYELIDS, OR EYELASHES
    •MORE EYELASHES
    •EYE INFLAMMATION AND SWELLING
    •HERPES INFECTIONS
    •BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
    •NO SOFT CONTACT LENSES
    Common Side Effects for
    •Only use in the eye
    •Allergic reaction of the eye
    •Interaction with inhaled beta agonists for asthma or COPD
    •Worsening heart problems
    •Worsening of other medical conditions
    •Masked symptoms of low blood sugar in people with diabetes
    •Masked symptoms of high thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism)

  • Prices with our coupons for Xalatan vs. Combigan

    Learn more about Latanoprost
    Learn more about Combigan

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