Skip to main content

Compare
Xalatan vs. Pilocarpine

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

Key takeaways

Latanoprost (Xalatan, Xelpros) and pilocarpine (Salagen) are both medications used to treat conditions related to the eyes, but they work in different ways and treat different conditions. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin eye drop used to lower high pressure in the eye caused by ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. It is applied once daily in the evening. Pilocarpine, on the other hand, is a cholinergic agonist taken orally to treat dry mouth due to radiation therapy for head and neck cancer or Sjögren's syndrome. It is taken 3 to 4 times a day. Latanoprost can cause changes in eye color and eyelash growth, while pilocarpine can cause sweating, nausea, and runny nose. Latanoprost is available as a generic, but Xelpros does not have a generic version. Pilocarpine is available as a lower-cost generic. Latanoprost is stored in the fridge until opened, while pilocarpine is taken by mouth and does not require refrigeration. Both medications require a prescription and are not controlled substances.

Latanoprost

(Xalatan)

Get free coupons

pilocarpine eye drops

 

Get free coupons

Summary for Xalatan

Prescription only

Latanoprost (Xalatan) is an eye drop medication. It's used in adults to treat conditions related to high pressure in the eye, such as glaucoma. It works as a prostaglandin to help with high eye pressure. The typical dosage is 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once each night. Side effects include feeling like there's something in the eye, burning, and stinging. Unopened bottles need to be refrigerated. But once opened, you keep the medication at room temperature. Latanoprost (Xalatan) is available as a brand-name and generic medication.

Indications for Xalatan

Pros and Cons for Xalatan

Pros

Cons

  • Can permanently change the color of your eye
  • Need to take out any soft contact lenses before using

Common Side Effects for Xalatan

  • Feeling like there's something inside the eye (13%)
  • Stinging (9%)
  • Eye redness (8%)
  • Blurry vision (8%)
  • Itchy eye (8%)
  • Burning (7%)
  • Changes in eye color (7%)

Warnings for Xalatan

  • Darker eyes or eyelids
  • Eyelash changes
  • Eye inflammation
  • Swelling of the retina (macular edema)
  • Caution use in people with a history of a herpes eye infection
  • Risk of bacterial eye infection when using contaminated medication
  • Don't use while wearing soft contact lenses

Summary for Pilocarpine

Prescription only

Generic pilocarpine eye drops, formerly known by the brand name Isopto Carpine, are used to treat and prevent high eye pressure. They're also used to shrink the pupil (the black part of your eye), typically before certain eye procedures. This medication belongs to the drug class called cholinergic agonists. The usual dosage is 1 drop in the eye(s) up to 4 times a day. Side effects can include headache, temporary blurry vision, and eye irritation.

Indications for Pilocarpine

  • High pressure in the eye
  • Glaucoma (open-angle or acute angle-closure)
  • Prevention of high eye pressure due to laser eye surgery
  • Shrinking the size of the pupils (miosis)

Pros and Cons for Pilocarpine

Pros

  • Lowers eye pressure to prevent long-term damage, such as blindness
  • Can use for adults and children
  • Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

  • Not a first-choice medication for treating glaucoma long term
  • Sometimes need to use up to 4 times a day
  • Can make it hard to see clearly at night or to focus on objects at different distances, so might not be safe for you to drive after you use the eye drops

Common Side Effects for Pilocarpine

Side effects occurring in 5% or more of people:

  • Headache or eyebrow ache
  • Difficulty focusing when looking at objects at different distances
  • Blurry vision
  • Eye irritation
  • Worse vision
  • Eye pain

Note: Side effects listed were reported by people who used the 2% strength of pilocarpine eye drops with Betoptic-S (betaxolol) 0.25% eye drops.

Warnings for Pilocarpine

  • Worse vision
  • Retinal detachment
  • Not recommended for people with inflamed iris
  • Higher eye pressure in children
  • Don't wear soft contact lenses when you use pilocarpine eye drops

Prices with our coupons for Xalatan vs. Pilocarpine

Price Card Drug Icon
Latanoprost1 eye dropper / 2.5ml of 0.005%
$13.43-
Get free coupons
More Information
Price Card Drug Icon
Pilocarpine1 eye dropper / 15ml of 2%
$31.31$96.99
Get free coupons
More Information

Compare other Glaucoma and Eye Pressure drugs

Trusopt vs. XalatanXalatan vs. BetopticXalatan vs. BrimonidineXalatan vs. CombiganXalatan vs. Pilocarpine
Xalatan vs. TimololXalatan vs. TravatanXalatan vs. ZioptanBetimol vs. TimololIstalol vs. TimololNeptazene vs. TrusoptPilocarpine vs. CombiganSimbrinza vs. PilocarpineSimbrinza vs. TrusoptTimolol vs. BetopticTimolol vs. CombiganTravatan vs. BetopticTravatan vs. BrimonidineTravatan vs. CombiganTrusopt vs. AzoptTrusopt vs. Dorzolamide-timololTrusopt vs. KeppraTrusopt vs. LasixTrusopt vs. LumiganTrusopt vs. TimololTrusopt vs. TravatanZioptan vs. BetopticZioptan vs. BrimonidineZioptan vs. CombiganZioptan vs. Pilocarpine

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.