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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)
    Pilocarpine (Salagen)
  • Latanoprost (Xalatan)
    Pilocarpine (Salagen)

  • Summary of Xalatan vs. Pilocarpine

    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 Cholinergic agonist
    Prescription only

    Pilocarpine (Salagen) is a cholinergic agonist that's used to help certain adults with dry mouth. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth 3 to 4 times per day. Side effects can include sweating, nausea, and runny nose. It's important to tell your provider and pharmacist about your medical history and your other medications because pilocarpine (Salagen) can sometimes worsen certain medical conditions and interact with many different medications.

  • Indications of Xalatan vs. Pilocarpine

    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
    •Dry mouth due to radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
    •Dry mouth due to Sjögren's syndrome

  • Pros and Cons of Xalatan vs. Pilocarpine

    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 Cholinergic agonist
    Pros
    •Works well to help with dry mouth
    •Can start to work quickly (about 20 minutes)
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic medication
    Cons
    •Need to take 3 or 4 times a day
    •Can take several weeks to get the most benefit from the medication
    •Can have a lot of side effects since the medication can reach and affect many parts of your body

  • Common Side Effects of Xalatan vs. Pilocarpine

    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

    Treatment of dry mouth from radiation:

    •Sweating (up to 68%)
    •Nausea (up to 15%)
    •Chills (up to 15%)
    •Runny nose (up to 14%)
    •Flushing (up to 13%)
    •Frequent urination (up to 12%)
    •Weakness (up to 12%)
    •Dizziness (up to 12%)

    Treatment of dry mouth from Sjögren's syndrome:

    •Sweating (40%)
    •Frequent urination (10%)
    •Flushing (9%)
    •Chills (4%)

  • Warnings of Xalatan vs. Pilocarpine

    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
    •Possible worsening of medical conditions
    •Vision changes
    •Dose too high

  • Prices with our coupons for Xalatan vs. Pilocarpine

    Learn more about Latanoprost
    Learn more about Pilocarpine

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