Indications
Latanoprost eye drops lower raised pressure inside the eye in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (high eye pressure without nerve damage yet). Lowering the pressure helps protect the optic nerve and sight.
How It Works
Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analogue. It helps the clear fluid inside the eye drain out more easily, which brings the pressure down.
Dosage and Administration
Adults: 1 drop in the affected eye or eyes once a day, preferably in the evening. Using it more often than once a day can make it work less well. If you miss a dose, use the next one at the usual time.
- Wash your hands and do not let the dropper tip touch the eye or anything else.
- After putting in the drop, close the eye and press gently on the inner corner for about 1 minute.
- Remove contact lenses before use and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back.
- If you use other eye drops, leave at least 5 minutes between them.
Use in children only as prescribed.
Interactions
Using two prostaglandin eye drops together, such as Latanoprost with Bimatoprost or Travoprost, can raise eye pressure instead of lowering it. Eye drops containing thiomersal should be given at least 5 minutes apart. Tell your doctor about all eye drops and medicines you use.
Contraindications
Allergy to Latanoprost or any ingredient of the drops, including the preservative benzalkonium chloride.
Side Effects
Common: red or irritated eyes, stinging, a feeling of something in the eye, blurred vision for a short time after use, and longer, thicker and darker eyelashes. Over months the coloured part of the eye (iris) may slowly turn browner; this change can be permanent and may be noticeable if only one eye is treated. The skin of the eyelids may also darken.
Get urgent medical help if you have eye pain, sudden blurred or reduced vision, marked swelling or sensitivity to light, worsening asthma or breathing difficulty, or swelling of the face, lips or throat.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Not recommended during pregnancy unless the doctor decides the benefit is greater than the risk. It may pass into breast milk, so ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
Precautions and Warnings
Use with care if you have eye inflammation, have had cataract surgery with lens removal, have asthma or wear contact lenses. Do not drive until your vision is clear after using the drops. Glaucoma usually has no symptoms, so keep using the drops every day and attend regular eye pressure checks. Do not stop without advice.
Overdose
Too many drops in the eye may cause redness and irritation; rinse with clean water. If the drops are swallowed, especially by a child, seek medical advice.
Therapeutic Class
Antiglaucoma medicine (prostaglandin analogue eye drop).
Storage
Keep unopened bottles in a refrigerator at 2 to 8°C, protected from light. After opening, follow the pack instructions; usually the bottle may be kept below 25°C and must be thrown away 4 weeks after opening. Keep out of the reach of children.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.