Xelpros
Xelpros (latanoprost) is an eye drop medication for adults with high pressure in the eye or glaucoma. It works as a prostaglandin to help lower eye pressure. The dosage is 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once each night. Side effects include eye pain, stinging, and redness.
Note: Xelpros (latanoprost) was discontinued and is no longer available.
What is Xelpros (latanoprost)?
What is Xelpros (latanoprost) used for?
- Lowering pressure in the eye in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure in the eye)
How Xelpros (latanoprost) works
Xelpros (latanoprost) is a prostaglandin. It works by draining fluid from the eyes. This helps lower the pressure inside the eyes.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Xelpros |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Prostaglandin |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Discontinued |
Side effects of Xelpros (latanoprost)
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 pain or stinging (55%)
- Eye redness (41%)
- Eye discharge (12%)
- Eyelash growth (11%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Itchy eye
- Dry eye
- Eyelash thickening
- Eyelash discoloration
- Eyelid redness or swelling
- Feeling like there's something inside the eye
- Blurry vision
Xelpros (latanoprost) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe eye irritation: severe redness or itching
- Unusual changes in vision: worse vision, blurry vision, wavy vision, color looking dull
The following Xelpros (latanoprost) 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):
- Blurry vision
- Change in eye, eyelash, or eyelid color
- Dry eyes
- Eye irritation or itching
- Increase in length, thickness, or number of eyelashes
- Increased tears after use
Pros and cons of Xelpros (latanoprost)
Pros
- A first-choice option for lowering the pressure in the eye
- Only used once a day
- Can keep at room temperature
Cons
- Can permanently change the color of your eye
- Commonly causes stinging in the eye and eye redness
- Need to take out any soft contact lenses before using
Pharmacist tips for Xelpros (latanoprost)
- Remember to follow up with your eye specialist when asked. This is usually every few weeks or months. They'll check how well Xelpros (latanoprost) is lowering your eye pressure. They'll also check for concerning side effects.
- If you wear soft contact lenses, take them out before using Xelpros (latanoprost). There's a preservative in the drops that could affect the contacts. Wait 15 minutes after using the eye drops to put your contact lenses back in.
- How to use Xelpros (latanoprost): Wash your hands with soap and water. Tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower eyelid. Hold the bottle with the tip just over your eye. Place 1 drop into the eye. Then, close your eye and lightly press the inside corner of your eye. Wipe away extra medication from your face.
- Don't touch the tip of the Xelpros (latanoprost) bottle with your hands. Don't let it touch your eye or anything other surface. Keep the bottle closed tightly when you're not using it. This helps keep germs out and lowers the risk of an eye infection.
- Over time, Xelpros (latanoprost) might make your eyes, eyelashes, or the skin near your eyelid darker. Your eyelashes might also become thicker. Talk to your eye specialist if you notice changes that worry you.
- Don't use any more than 1 drop of Xelpros (latanoprost) in the eye each day. Putting in more than 1 drop in the same eye per day can make the medication work less well.
- Skip any missed doses of Xelpros (latanoprost). Just wait and use the medication as usual the next night. Don't put 2 drops in the eye to make up for a missed dose.
- If you need to use Xelpros (latanoprost) with other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between each drop. This gives your eye time to fully absorb each drop.
- Keep Xelpros (latanoprost) at room temperature (up to 77ºF). Also protect it from light. The eye drops are good until the expiration date written on the bottle or medication box.
Risks and warnings for Xelpros (latanoprost)
Xelpros (latanoprost) 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
Xelpros (latanoprost) 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 Xelpros (latanoprost). 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 Xelpros (latanoprost). 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)
Xelpros (latanoprost) 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 Xelpros (latanoprost).
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 Xelpros (latanoprost) 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.
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 Xelpros (latanoprost).
Caution use in people with a history of a herpes eye infection
Tell your eye specialist if you've had a viral eye infection called herpes keratitis. In some people, this infection has come back while using Xelpros (latanoprost). Avoid using this eye drop if the infection is active because it can make eye inflammation worse.
Risk of bacterial eye infection when using contaminated medication
- Risk factors: Problems with the cornea | Injury or damage to the surface of the eye
Eye infections can happen if your bottle of Xelpros (latanoprost) gets germs in it and you use the medication. Some people who used contaminated eye drops got an eye infection called bacterial keratitis. This affects the cornea (the protective covering on the front of the eye). It can cause eye swelling and pain.
To lower the risk of this happening, always wash your hands before using Xelpros (latanoprost). Don't let the dropper tip touch your eye or anything else. Also don't touch the tip with your hands or fingers.
Don't use while wearing soft contact lenses
Xelpros (latanoprost) has a preservative called potassium sorbate in it. This preservative might affect contact lenses. To be safe, take out your soft contact lenses before using Xelpros (latanoprost) eye drops. Then, wait at least 15 minutes before putting your contacts back in.
Xelpros (latanoprost) dosage
Typical dosage for Xelpros (latanoprost)
The typical dose is 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening.
Xelpros (latanoprost) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Xelpros (latanoprost) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to latanoprost
