latanoprost
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.
What is Latanoprost (Xalatan)?
What is Latanoprost (Xalatan) used 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)
How Latanoprost (Xalatan) works
Latanoprost (Xalatan) is a prostaglandin eye drop that helps fluid drain from inside the eye. When there is less fluid inside the eye, the eye pressure goes down.
Drug facts
Side effects of Latanoprost (Xalatan)
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
- 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)
Less Common Side Effects
- More tears than usual
- Eyelid discomfort, pain, crusting, redness, or swelling
- Dry eye
- Eye pain
- Light sensitivity
- Flu-like symptoms
Latanoprost (Xalatan) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reactions
The following Latanoprost (Xalatan) 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:
More common
Eye pain or stinging
Less common
Decreased vision
painful irritation of the clear front part of the eye
swelling or redness of the eye and the lining of the eyelid
Incidence not known
Arm, back, or jaw pain
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blurred vision or other change in vision
burning, dry, or itching eyes
chest pain or discomfort
chest tightness or heaviness
chills
difficulty breathing
discharge, excessive tearing
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
joint or muscle pain
noisy breathing
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
sensitivity of the eye to light
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
tearing
unusual tiredness or weakness
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
Drainage from the eyes
longer and thicker eyelashes
Less common
Eyelash discoloration
feeling of having something in the eye
Incidence not known
Darkening of the eyelid skin color
dizziness
headache
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.
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Pros and cons of Latanoprost (Xalatan)
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
Pharmacist tips for Latanoprost (Xalatan)
- Xalatan and its generics should be kept in the fridge until you are ready to open it. Once you open the bottle, you can store it at room temperature. Throw it away 6 weeks after opening. Xelpros brand can be stored either in the fridge or at room temperature. It is good until the date stamped on the bottle by the manufacturer.
- Wash your hands before putting latanoprost (Xalatan) drops in your eyes. Don't touch the dropper tip with your eye, hands, or any other surface. This will help you avoid eye infections by preventing contamination of the solution.
- If you wear contacts, remove them and wait 15 minutes after using latanoprost (Xalatan) to put them back in your eyes.
- 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 1 minute. This helps make sure your eye absorbs the drop.
- If you are using latanoprost (Xalatan) at the same time as other eye medications, wait 5 minutes between each drop to give your eyes time to absorb each medication.
- It's not easy to tell if your eye pressure is improving at home. Make sure to use this medication as prescribed, even if you don't immediately notice any difference in your symptoms or vision.
Common questions about Latanoprost (Xalatan)
Xalatan and its generics should be kept in the fridge until you are ready to open it. Once you open the bottle, you can store it at room temperature. Throw it away 6 weeks after opening. Xelpros can be stored either in the fridge or at room temperature. It is good until the date stamped on the bottle by the manufacturer.
Studies have shown that using latanoprost (Xalatan) at night works better for lowering eye pressure compared to using it in the morning.
Latanoprost (Xalatan) is a prostaglandin analog, which means that it is very similar to the prostaglandin hormones your body naturally makes. Prostaglandins help control how much fluid drains from the eye. Latanoprost (Xalatan) lowers eye pressure by causing more fluid to drain out of the eye.
Latanoprost (Xalatan) starts to kick in about 3 to 4 hours after each dose. The medication fully kicks in about 8 to 12 hours after your dose. Your eye pressure is best controlled if you use this medication once a day in the evening consistently. Your provider will re-check your eye pressure after you have been using latanoprost (Xalatan) for several weeks to make sure it is working properly for you.
Do not take more latanoprost (Xalatan) than prescribed. Taking this medication more than once daily can actually make it less effective or have the opposite effect and raise your eye pressure.
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Risks and warnings for Latanoprost (Xalatan)
Latanoprost (Xalatan) 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, EYELIDS, OR EYELASHES
- Risk factors: Long-term use of latanoprost (Xalatan)
Prostaglandin eye drops like latanoprost (Xalatan) can darken the color of your eyes, eyelids, and eyelashes. The increased brown color of the eye is usually more noticeable after a few months or years of using latanoprost (Xalatan) and can be permanent. These side effects are not known to be harmful, but it's best to check in with your provider regularly so they can make sure your eyes stay healthy.
MORE EYELASHES
Latanoprost (Xalatan) can make your eyelashes grow longer and thicker. These changes usually go away after you stop using latanoprost (Xalatan).
EYE INFLAMMATION AND SWELLING
- Risk factors: Existing eye inflammation, such as with uveitis | Missing or injured eye lens
Prostaglandins like latanoprost (Xalatan) can cause or worsen eye inflammation. Latanoprost (Xalatan) can also cause swelling of the macula (macular edema), a part of the eye that's important for clear vision. Both of these problems are more likely to happen if you already have eye inflammation or if the lens of your eye is damaged or missing. Talk to your provider immediately if you notice eye discomfort or changes in your vision while using latanoprost (Xalatan).
HERPES INFECTIONS
- Risk factors: History of herpes infection of the eye
Use of latanoprost (Xalatan) can trigger herpes infections of the eye (herpetic keratitis) in people who have had this type of infection before. Let your provider know if you have a history of herpetic keratitis or any herpes infections. If you currently have herpetic keratitis, you'll want to avoid using latanoprost (Xalatan) since it can make the condition worse.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
- Risk factors: Corneal disease | Injury or damage to the surface of the eye
Use of latanoprost (Xalatan) can cause bacterial keratitis, a bacterial infection of the cornea (the protective covering on the front of the eye). These infections tend to happen if your bottle of eyedrops gets contaminated with bacteria. It's important to wash your hands before each use, and be careful not to touch the dropper tip with your eye, hands, or any other surface.
NO SOFT CONTACT LENSES
The preservative in latanoprost (Xalatan), benzalkonium chloride, can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause damage. If you wear soft contacts, remove them before using a dose of latanoprost (Xalatan). Wait at least 15 minutes after your dose before putting your contacts back in.
Latanoprost (Xalatan) dosage
Eye dropper| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5ml of 0.005% | 1 eye dropper | $13.63 | $13.63 |
Interactions between Latanoprost (Xalatan) and other drugs
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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