Should You Refrigerate Latanoprost? 7 Pharmacist-Backed Tips for Storage and Use
Key takeaways:
Latanoprost (Xalatan) is a prescription eye drop used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension. For most people, it’s best to use it once daily in the evening.
You should keep latanoprost in the refrigerator until you open it. Once it’s opened, you can keep it at room temperature, but it’s only good for 6 weeks. Don’t use it after that.
Latanoprost is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
Table of contents
Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in the world. In fact, almost 3 million people in the U.S. have it. Glaucoma may not cause any symptoms at first, but over time, it can steal your vision if left untreated.
Latanoprost (Xalatan) is a prescription eye drop that lowers the pressure in your eye. It treats a certain kind of glaucoma, called open-angle glaucoma, as well as ocular hypertension (high blood pressure in the eye).
Here, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about latanoprost to help you get the most from your medication.
1. Does latanoprost need to be refrigerated?
It depends. Latanoprost should be refrigerated before the bottle is opened. But once you start using a bottle, you can keep it at room temperature for up to 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, throw it away — even if there are still drops left inside.
If you forget to put an unopened bottle of latanoprost in the fridge, or if your pharmacy sends it to you without ice, it may still be okay to use. As long as it’s been unrefrigerated for less than 8 days and has been kept at temperatures below 104℉ (40℃), it’s fine to open and use the bottle or place it in the refrigerator to use at a later time.
If you don’t know how long your latanoprost has been out of the fridge or what temperature it’s been kept at, it’s probably best not to use it. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can tell you for sure.
Once your latanoprost bottle is opened, store it in a cool, dry place that’s protected from heat and direct light. A kitchen cabinet or bedside table drawer are both good options.
Good to know: Xelpros is a brand-name latanoprost eye drop that’s different from Xalatan. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure which form of latanoprost you’re using.
2. What’s the best way to use latanoprost?
If you wear contact lenses, remove them before you use latanoprost.
The next steps for using eye drops correctly are to:
Wash your hands with soap and water. Remove the cap of the bottle and place it on a tissue or clean surface.
Pull your bottom eyelid down gently with one finger of your other hand and tilt your head slightly back.
Place the bottle as close to your eye as you can without touching it. You don’t want your hand or eye to touch the tip of the bottle, as this could introduce bacteria into the medication.
While looking up, gently squeeze one drop of liquid into the pocket of the lower eyelid — a mirror may be helpful for this step.
Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and place a finger on the inner corner of your eyelid, applying gentle pressure. Try not to rub or squeeze your eye.
Wipe any excess liquid off your face with a tissue. Put the cap back on the bottle, then wash your hands again with soap and water.
You’ll need to wait at least 5 minutes before using any other drops or ointment in the same eye. You can put your contact lenses back in 15 minutes after using latanoprost.
3. How long does it take latanoprost to work, and how long does it last?
Latanoprost starts to take effect in about 3 to 4 hours. It reaches peak effect in 8 to 12 hours, but the overall effect lasts for more than 24 hours. So latanoprost is only used once per day. It’s a good idea to keep your latanoprost bottle somewhere that you’ll see it before bed to help you remember to use it daily. Otherwise, the pressure in your eye may go up again, putting your vision at risk.
4. When is the best time to use latanoprost?
It’s recommended to use latanoprost once daily, in the evening. That’s likely because the pressure in your eye is highest when you’re lying down. So you may get more benefit from latanoprost at night, while you’re asleep.
Newer studies show that latanoprost may be just as effective if you use it in the morning. What’s most important is choosing a time that works for your schedule, because consistency is key. Check with your healthcare provider about the best time for you to use latanoprost.
5. What happens if I miss a dose of latanoprost?
Everyone forgets to take their medicine from time to time. If you miss a dose of latanoprost, use it as soon as you remember. But if it’s the next day, skip the missed dose and continue with the next dose as usual.
Don’t administer two doses at the same time. And don’t give yourself two doses in the same day. Too much latanoprost may actually make your eye pressure go up instead of down.
6. How long will a bottle of latanoprost last?
Latanoprost typically comes in a 2.5 mL bottle. There are about 20 drops per mL of liquid, which comes to around 50 drops of latanoprost per bottle. If you’re using latanoprost in one eye, a bottle should last you around 50 days. If you’re using it in both eyes, it should last around 25 days.
Don’t worry if you accidentally waste a drop or two while you’re getting comfortable putting drops in your eyes — there’s often a little extra in the bottle to account for that.
7. What can I do if I experience side effects from latanoprost?
The most common side effects of latanoprost are stinging, burning, or itching in the eye. It may also cause redness, tears, or swelling. Call your healthcare provider if these side effects don’t go away or get worse.
If you have light-colored eyes, latanoprost can change your eye color to brown. This is usually a permanent change. It can also make your eyelashes grow longer or thicker, but this will typically go away if you stop using latanoprost.
How to save on latanoprost
There are many ways to save on latanoprost, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic latanoprost’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $22.50 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for brand-name Xalatan using a savings card from the manufacturer.
The bottom line
Latanoprost is a prescription eye drop used for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It’s used once daily, in the evening, and starts to take effect in 3 to 4 hours. Don’t use more than one drop of latanoprost per day in each eye. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average price on your generic latanoprost prescription at certain pharmacies.
Why trust our experts?
References
Boyd, K. (2022). What is ocular hypertension? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2015). Pharmacy auditing and dispensing job aid: Billing other dosage forms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Don’t let glaucoma steal your sight!
Ford, B. A., et al. (2013). Morning dosing of once-daily glaucoma medication is more convenient and may lead to greater adherence than evening dosing. Journal of Glaucoma.
Hara, T., et al. (2006). Increase of peak intraocular pressure during sleep in reproduced diurnal changes by posture. JAMA Ophthalmology.
Konstas, A. G., et al. (1999). Comparison of 24-hour intraocular pressure reduction with two dosing regimens of latanoprost and timolol maleate in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Queen, J. H., et al. (2016). Variation in number of doses, bottle volume, and calculated yearly cost of generic and branded latanoprost for glaucoma. American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Rising Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2023). Latanoprost [package insert].
SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use eye drops.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. (2022). Xelpros [package insert].
Tripathy, K., et al. (2022). Latanoprost. StatPearls.
Was this page helpful?
Related Articles
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.