Vyzulta
Latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution, also known by its brand name Vyzulta, is the only prostaglandin that also releases nitric oxide along with latanoprost acid, working in two ways to help lower eye pressure. This eye drop medication is used to treat conditions related to high pressure in the eye, such as glaucoma. Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) is approved for people 17 years of age and older. It's given as a drop into the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. Bottles should be refrigerated, but they can be stored at room temperature for up to 8 weeks after opening. Side effects include eye redness and eye pain.
What is Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod)?
What is Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) used for?
- Lowering pressure in the eye in people with ocular hypertension (high pressure in the eye) or open-angle glaucoma
How Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) works
Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) is a prostaglandin. It lowers eye pressure by draining fluid from your eye.
Drug facts
Side effects of Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Red eyes (6%)
- Eye irritation (4%)
- Eye pain (3%)
- Eye pain after placing the drop into the eye (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Blurry vision
- Feeling like there's something in your eye
More on Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) side effects
The following Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Change in vision
- New or worsening eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in eye, eyelash, or eyelid color
- Eye irritation or itching
- Increase in length, thickness, or number of eyelashes
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Pros and cons of Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod)
Pros
- Might work better at lowering eye pressure than beta-blocker eye drops
- Once-a-day eye drop
- Can use with other eye pressure-lowering medications
Cons
- Can change the color of your eyes
- No lower-cost generic available; brand-name medication only
- Not recommended for children age 16 and younger because of possible permanent changes to eye color with long-term use
Pharmacist tips for Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod)
- Set reminders on your calendar for your appointments with your optometrist or ophthalmologist. You'll need regular eye exams so that your eye specialist can check how well Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) is working for you. They'll also check for side effects related to the eyes.
- If you wear soft contact lenses, take them out each time before you use Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod). The eye drops contain a preservative called benzalkonium chloride that can damage your contacts. Wait 15 minutes after you use the eye drops to put your contacts back in.
- Be sure to review how to use Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) eye drops. Ask your eye specialist or pharmacist if you have any questions about using the eye drops.
- Wash your hands before you put Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) drops in your eye. After placing a drop in the eye, close your eye and press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by the nose and press lightly for a minute. This helps make sure your eye absorbs the medication.
- Keep the bottle and tip of Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) clean. Cap and tightly close the Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) bottle when you're not using it. And don't let the dropper tip touch your eye or any other surface, and don't touch the tip with your hands. Otherwise, the medication can get contaminated with germs, which can lead to eye infections if you use the eye drops afterwards.
- You might need more than one kind of eye drop to help lower your eye pressure. If you're using other eye medications in the evening at the same time as Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod), wait 5 minutes between each medication so that you eye can fully absorb each one.
- If you forget to use Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) one night, just skip the dose. Use the eye drops the next evening. Don't double up to make up for the missed dose.
Common questions about Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod)
Store unopened bottles of Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) in the refrigerator. Once you open a bottle, you can either continue to keep it in the refrigerator or at room temperature. It's good for up to 8 weeks, no matter which way you decide to store your opened bottle. Make sure to write down the 8-week expiration date when you open a bottle so you don't run the risk of using expired medication.
In clinical studies, people who used Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) once daily for up to a year had lower eye pressure than before they started treatment. The medication lowered eye pressure by up to 7 mmHg to 9 mmHg. Follow up with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to discuss how much Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) has lowered your eye pressure if you're using the eye drops.
No, Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) isn't a beta blocker; it's a prostaglandin. Beta blockers and prostaglandins both work to lower eye pressure. They both lower how much fluid is in the eye, but they do so in different ways. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist might recommend using a beta blocker eye drop with Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) if your glaucoma is severe.
No, but they're very similar. Both latanoprost and Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) belong to the drug class called prostaglandins. But Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) works by draining eye fluid through two different pathways from the eye, instead of one main pathway like latanoprost (Xalatan). A study showed that people who used Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) for 3 months had lower eye pressure than those who used latanoprost (Xalatan). Speak with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to help compare between the two medications.
Once opened, a bottle of Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) lasts for 8 weeks. Make sure to write down the date that's 8 weeks from the day that you opened the bottle. This is the expiration date. Don't use the bottle of Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) after this expiration date because using expired eye drops might not work as well or be safe for you.
A drop of Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) contains about 0.05 mL of medication. So a 2.5 mL bottle of Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) will have about 50 drops in it. Assuming that you need to use the medication in both eyes, this means that a 2.5 mL bottle should last you about 25 days. Keep in mind that some medication might accidentally get wasted somehow, so the bottle might last you a slightly shorter amount of time than that. Ask for a refill from your pharmacist or eye specialist when you notice your Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) bottle is starting to get empty.
No, Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride. This preservative can damage contact lenses. Because of this risk, you should remove any soft contact lenses each time before you use Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod). Then, wait at least 15 minutes after placing the eye drops to put your contacts back in.
It's possible to have blurry vision from Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod), but it's rare. In clinical studies, only about 0.5% of people stopped using the medication because of reported blurry vision. Blurry vision can also be a symptom of glaucoma. Contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist if you notice blurry vision. They might want to examine your eyes.
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Risks and warnings for Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod)
Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Darker eyes, eyelashes, or eyelids
Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) can darken the color of your eyes, eyelashes, and eyelids. This change in color happens because the medication raises the levels of melanin in your eyes. Melanin is a protein that's responsible for the color of certain parts of your eyes.
The change in color might not be noticeable until after a few months or years of using Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod). Color changes in the iris (the circular colored part of your eye) are most likely permanent. Your eyelashes and the skin around your eyes might also become darker, but this usually goes away after you stop using the medication. These side effects aren't known to be harmful, but it's best to regularly check in with your prescriber so they can make sure your eyes stay healthy.
Eyelash changes
Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) can make your eyelashes grow in length or thickness over time. It can also make you grow more eyelashes. These changes are typically reversible when you stop the medication.
Eye inflammation
- Risk factors: Current eye inflammation (e.g., uveitis)
Medications like Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) can cause or worsen eye inflammation (redness and swelling). These problems might be more likely to happen if you already have eye inflammation. Talk to your prescriber if you notice eye discomfort or changes in your vision while you're using Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod).
Swelling of the retina (macular edema)
- Risk factors: History of eye problems (e.g., not having a lens inside your eye, having a false lens in your eye) | Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) | Genetic eye problems | Other eye problems (e.g., inflammation, blocked veins in the eye) | Eye surgery | Using other medications that can cause macular edema
Medications like Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) can potentially cause swelling of the retina (also known as macular edema). Your risk for macula edema might be higher if you have a false lens in your eye(s). Macular edema can cause changes in vision, such as blurry vision or dull color vision. Contact your prescriber right away if you notice any changes in vision while you're using Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod).
Risk for bacterial infection in the eye when using contaminated medication
- Risk factors: Corneal disease | Injury or damage to the surface of the eye
Eye infections can happen if the medication inside your Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) bottle gets contaminated with bacteria and then you use the drops in your eyes. Some people who used contaminated eye drops developed bacterial keratitis, a bacterial infection of the cornea (the protective covering on the front of the eye). It's important to wash your hands before each time you use Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod). Be careful not to touch the dropper tip with your hands, to your eye, or to any other surface.
Don't use while wearing soft contact lenses
Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride. This preservative can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause damage to the lenses. Take out your soft contact lenses each time before you place Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) drops into your eye(s). Wait at least 15 minutes after your dose before putting your contacts back in.
Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) dosage
Eye dropper| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5ml of 0.024% | 1 eye dropper | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| 2.5ml of 0.024% | 1 eye dropper | $25.00 | $25.00 |
Typical dosage for Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod)
The typical dose is 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once a day in the evening.
How much does Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod) cost?
$25.00
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