Latanoprost: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

What is latanoprost used for?

Latanoprost is commonly used to reduce increased pressure in the eye in people with either open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Latanoprost may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does latanoprost work (mechanism of action)?

Latanoprost is in a group of medicines called prostaglandin analogues. People with glaucoma or ocular hypertension have high intraocular pressure (IOP), or high pressure inside the eye. Having high IOP increases the risk for vision loss as well as damage to the optic nerve in the eyes. Latanoprost works by helping the fluid in the eye drain out, which helps decrease IOP.

How is latanoprost supplied (dosage forms)?

Latanoprost is available in the following dosage forms that are applied to the eye.

0.005% ophthalmic solution (eye drop)
0.005% preservative free ophthalmic solution (eye drop)
0.005% ophthalmic emulsion (eye drop)

How should I store latanoprost?

Some latanoprost products should be protected from light and stored at room temperature between 59 F to 77 F (15 C to 25 C). Some latanoprost products should be protected from light and stored in a refrigerator between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C) before opening.

If you use latanoprost single-dose drops, store the eye drops in the original pouch. After opening the pouch, the single-dose containers can be stored in the opened pouch for up to 30 days at room temperature between 59 F to 77 F (15 C to 25 C). Write down the date you open the foil pouch in the space provided. Throw away any unused containers 30 days after you open the pouch.

Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how to store your latanoprost product.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of latanoprost?

The most common side effects of latanoprost are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Blurred vision
Burning or stinging eyes
Eye redness
Feeling like something is in the eye, or having an abnormal sensation in the eye
Increased tears
Eye itching or irritation
Darkening of the iris (the colored part of the eye)
Spots on the cornea (the clear layer that covers the front of the eye)
Eyelash growth or thicker eyelashes (ophthalmic emulsion)
Eye discharge (ophthalmic emulsion)

There may be other side effects of latanoprost that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of latanoprost?

While less common, the most serious side effects of latanoprost are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Latanoprost may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking latanoprost and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Breathing problems or wheezing
Racing heart
Fever or general ill feeling
Swollen lymph nodes
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
Stomach cramps
Joint pain

Increased Brown Coloring of the Iris. Latanoprost may cause the colored part of the eye called the iris to increase in brown color. This effect may take months to years to occur, and may be permanent, even if you stop using latanoprost. Latanoprost may also cause your eyelid skin to darken or grow hair, which may return to normal after you stop using latanoprost. Keep all appointments to have your eyes checked.

Eyelash Changes. Latanoprost may cause eyelash changes, which usually return to normal after you stop using this medicine. Changes may include increased length, color, thickness, shape, and number of eyelashes.

Macular Edema. Latanoprost may cause a condition called macular edema, which is swelling from too much fluid in part of your eye called the retina. This can affect your vision. If you have any vision changes, call your healthcare provider right away.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use latanoprost?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use latanoprost.

Latanoprost
Xalatan
Iyuzeh
Xelpros
Benzalkonium chloride (Xalatan)
Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific latanoprost products they stock.

What should I know about latanoprost before using it?

Do not use latanoprost unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share latanoprost with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep latanoprost out of the reach of children. If you keep your medicine in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

If you use more than one eye medicine, wait at least 5 minutes in between using them.

Remove contact lenses before putting in your eye drops. You can put them back in at least 15 minutes after you administer the eye drops.

Do not allow the tip of the eye drop container to touch the eye or the area around the eyes. If the tip touches any surface, you could develop a serious infection in your eye that could lead to eye damage and vision loss.

If you develop any type of eye problems or reactions while using latanoprost, consult your healthcare provider right away. This may include problems with the eye or eyelid, such as eye injury, infection, eye swelling and redness, or vision loss.

If you use the single-dose containers, each container is sterile and is meant for one-time use only. Use the medicine as soon as you open it, and do not save any leftover medicine. Using the medicine more than one time can cause serious eye problems.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using latanoprost?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if latanoprost is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and past health conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Any type of eye problem, including uveitis (inflammatory conditions that affect the middle part of the eye), macular edema, eye pressure problems, no lens (aphakia) or problems with your eye lens
Eye infection, such as herpes keratitis
Diabetes
A history of eye surgery

Other Medicines and Supplements. Latanoprost may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using latanoprost, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how latanoprost could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if latanoprost passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use latanoprost while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does latanoprost interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between latanoprost and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect latanoprost.

Does latanoprost interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any other prostaglandin analog eye medicine, such as bimatoprost (Lumigan, Durysta) or travoprost (Travatan Z, iDose TR), which is a medicine used for high pressure in the eye.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with latanoprost. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does Latanoprost interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much latanoprost?

If you or someone else has used too much latanoprost, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of latanoprost?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.