Does Zioptan (tafluprost) contain sulfa?

No, Zioptan (tafluprost) doesn't contain a sulfa ingredient. Because of this, it's safe for people who have a [sulfa allergy](https://www.goodrx.com/bactrim/sulfa-allergies-bactrim-other-drugs-to-avoid).

tafluprost

Generic Zioptan

Used for Eye Pressure, Glaucoma

Zioptan (tafluprost) is an eye drop medication used to treat high pressure in the eye, such as glaucoma. It works as a prostaglandin to help relieve pressure in the eye. Zioptan (tafluprost) is for adults and is used once each night. Side effects include feeling like there's something in the eye, burning, and stinging. Zioptan (tafluprost) is available as a brand-name and now also a generic medication.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on March 17, 2026

What is Zioptan (tafluprost)?

What is Zioptan (tafluprost) used for?

High pressure in the eye in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

How Zioptan (tafluprost) works

Zioptan (tafluprost) is an eye drop that works as a prostaglandin. When you place a drop in the eye, it helps drain extra fluid from the eyes. This helps lower pressure inside the eye.

Are you looking for information on travoprost (Travatan Z) instead?

When does Zioptan (tafluprost) start working?Time passed since treatment started:

HOURS

Full effect

DAYS

WEEKS

MONTHS

Drug facts

Common Brands	Zioptan
Drug Class	Prostaglandin
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	Lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Zioptan

Drug Class

Prostaglandin

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

Lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Side effects of Zioptan (tafluprost)

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

Eye redness (up to 20%)
Eye stinging or irritation (7%)
Headache (6%)
Itchy eye (5%)

Less Common Side Effects

Cataract (cloudy lens of the eye)
Dry eye
Eye pain
Blurry vision
Eye inflammation
Darker eyelashes
Eyelash growth
Darker eyelid or eye color (iris)
Common cold
Cough
Shortness of breath
Urinary tract infection

Zioptan (tafluprost) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Severe eye irritation: severe eye redness or itching
Unusual changes in vision: worse vision, blurry vision, wavy vision, color looking dull

When do Zioptan (tafluprost) possible side effects begin and end?

Time passed since treatment started:

MMINUTES

HHOURS

DDAYS

WWEEKS

MMONTHS

Eye irritation

Red eye

Eyelash growth

Darker eye color

Darker skin near the eyelid

If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

The following Zioptan (tafluprost) side effects have also been reported

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:

Less common

Blurred vision

burning, dry, or itching eyes

decreased vision

eye discharge or excessive tearing

eye pain

redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

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

Headache

stinging or irritation of the eye

Less common

Cough

darker color of the eyelashes

dry eyes

increased growth of the eyelashes

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.

See more Zioptan (tafluprost) side effects

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Avg retail price

$100.59(Save 48.43%)

$51.87

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Pros and cons of Zioptan (tafluprost)

Pros

A first-choice option for lowering eye pressure
Only used once a day
Is preservative free, which might be less irritating to the eye

Cons

Often causes some eye redness
Can permanently darken the color of your eye over time
Must use eye drop vials inside the foil pouch within 30 days after opening the pouch

Pharmacist tips for Zioptan (tafluprost)

If you get Zioptan (tafluprost) by mail and it takes more than 2 days to arrive, ask the pharmacy if it's still safe to use.
Check in with your eye specialist every few weeks or months. They can measure your eye pressure and see how well Zioptan (tafluprost) is working. They'll also check for side effects that could affect the eye, like inflammation.
Each pouch of Zioptan (tafluprost) contains a row of 15 single-use vials of medication. Only take out one and use a new vial each time. Each vial has enough medication for 1 drop in each eye, if needed.
If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using Zioptan (tafluprost) in your eye(s). Using the eye drops with contacts in can affect how well the medication works. Wait 15 minutes after using the drops before putting your contacts back in.
How to use Zioptan (tafluprost): Wash your hands with soap and water. Hold the vial upright so all the medication is in the bottom part of the vial. Twist the vial open, tilt your head back, and gently pull down your lower eyelid. Hold the bottle upside down above your eye and add 1 drop into the eye. Then, close your eye and gently press on the inner corner. Use a clean tissue to wipe away any extra medication.
Don't touch the tip of the vial with your fingers. Also don't let it touch your eye or other surfaces. This helps prevent germs from getting into your eye and lowers the risk of an eye infection.
After you use Zioptan (tafluprost), throw the vial away, even if there's medication left. The medication doesn't have preservatives. This means germs can grow in it if you save an opened vial for later use, which could lead to an eye infection.
Your vision might get blurry for a short time after using Zioptan (tafluprost). If this happens, don't drive or use machines until you can see clearly. Tell your eye specialist if blurry vision doesn't go away or gets worse.
Zioptan (tafluprost) can slowly make your eye color darker. It can also darken the skin around your eyelids and make your eyelashes thicker or longer over time. Talk to your eye specialist if you notice changes that worry you.
If you need to use Zioptan (tafluprost) with other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using the next one. This helps give your eye time to absorb each medication.

How to store Zioptan (tafluprost)

Unopened pouches of Zioptan (tafluprost): Keep unopened pouches in the refrigerator (36ºF to 46ºF). Be sure it's in an area where it won't get wet or spilled on.
Opened pouches of Zioptan (tafluprost): Keep the open pouch at room temperature (68ºF to 77ºF). Once you open a pouch, each vial inside is good for 30 days. There's a spot for you to write the date you open the pouch to help you remember when the vials inside expire. If there are any unopened vials left 30 days after that date, throw them away and use the medication in a new pouch.

Common questions about Zioptan

This depends on if you've opened the pouch of Zioptan or not. Place unopened pouches in the refrigerator (36° to 46°F). After opening the pouch, you can keep it at room temperature (68° to 77°F). Keep unused single-dose vials of medication in the opened pouch.

No, Zioptan isn't a beta blocker eye drop. It's a [prostaglandin] eye drop. Both types help lower eye, but they work in different ways. Beta blocker drops lower the amount of fluid your eye makes. Prostaglandin drops help drain extra fluid out of the eye.

Some people can have cataracts while using Zioptan. But it doesn't appear to be common. In studies, about 3% of people who used Zioptan had cataracts. Make an appointment with your eye specialist if you have trouble seeing at night, seee halos around lights, or notice blurry or dull vision. These could be early signs of a cataract, and your eye specialist can do an eye exam to check.

No, Zioptan doesn't contain a sulfa ingredient. Because of this, it's safe for people who have a sulfa allergy.

Zioptan starts working about 2 to 4 hours after you put a drop in your eye. The maximum effect of the medication happens around 12 hours after you use it. Keep using Zioptan once every evening so it can lower your eye pressure as best it can. Follow up with your eye specialist after a few weeks or months of treatment. They'll re-check your eye pressure to see how well the medication is working.

Zioptan and latanoprost (Xalatan) are both prostaglandin eye drops. They're used once a day in the evening and have similar side effects. Studies show they work just as well as each other. From the study, the main difference is that more people who use Zioptan might have eye redness. Talk to your eye specialist to compare and decide which one is best for you.

Risks and warnings for Zioptan (tafluprost)

Zioptan (tafluprost) 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 or eyelids

Zioptan (tafluprost) can make the color of your eye, eyelashes, or eyelid darker (browner). This happens because the medication causes the levels of melanin in and around your eye to go up. Melanin is a protein that's responsible for the color of certain parts of your eye.

You might not notice changes in color until after a few months or years of using Zioptan (tafluprost). 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 get darker. But this could go away after you stop using the medication.

These side effects aren't particularly harmful. But it's best to check in with your eye specialist regularly so they can make sure your eyes stay healthy.

Eyelash changes

Over time, your eyelashes might grow longer or thicker while you're using Zioptan (tafluprost). You also might have more eyelashes in general. These changes usually go away after you stop using the medication.

Eye inflammation

Risk factors: Current eye inflammation (e.g., uveitis)

Zioptan (tafluprost) can cause eye inflammation (redness and swelling). It can also make any inflammation worse if you already have eye problems. Tell your eye specialist if you feel eye discomfort or have vision changes while using Zioptan (tafluprost).

Swelling of the retina (macular edema)

Risk factors: Not having a lens inside your eye | Having a false lens in your eye | Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) | Genetic eye problems | Eye inflammation | Blocked vein in the eye | Eye surgery

Some people who used Zioptan (tafluprost) had swelling in the retina. This eye condition is called macular edema. Talk to your eye specialist about your risk of macular edema. They'll check your eyes often during treatment to make sure everything is okay.

Macular edema can cause vision changes, like blurry vision or colors looking dull. Tell your eye specialist if you notice any changes in your vision while using Zioptan (tafluprost).

Zioptan (tafluprost) dosage

The average cost for 1 carton of 30 single-use containers of 0.0015% of Zioptan (tafluprost) is $60.48 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 74.05% off the average retail price of $233.02.

Carton

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
30 single-use containers of 0.0015%	1 carton	$60.48	$60.48

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Interactions between Zioptan (tafluprost) and other drugs

Zioptan (tafluprost) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Zioptan (tafluprost). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

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.

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