Biology Disease
Drugs and Medicines

Drug Name Latanoprost ophthalmic

Latanoprost ophthalmic Drug Category LATANOPROST OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION

Latanoprost ophthalmic Drug Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. LATANOPROST OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION (lay-TAN-oh-prost) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Xalatan USES: This medication is used along with other medicines to treat glaucoma and other problems related to high pressure within the eye. HOW TO USE: One drop is placed in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. Avoid touching the dropper tip to your eye. This will help protect the bottle from becoming contaminated with bacteria. Pull the lower lid out forming a pouch and place one drop in the eye. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye for 1 to 2 minutes. This will keep the medicine in the eye area longer. If more than one eye medication is being used, wait 5 minutes before using the next eye drop. The preservative in this product may be absorbed by contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed before using this drug. Lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes after use of latanoprost. SIDE EFFECTS: Blurred vision, burning and stinging, foreign body sensations, dry eye, lid crusting or discomfort can occur. Report these problems if they persist. Notify your doctor if any of the following occur: eye pain, red eye, itching/swelling/increased brown coloration of the eye, darkening of the eyelid or eyelash. Very unlikely but report: rapid vision changes, flu symptoms, chest pain, rash, headaches. PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: kidney or liver diseases, any allergies, high blood pressure, swollen or itching eyes, contact lens use. This medication can slowly (years) change the color of the iris (become browned). If only one eye is being treated, only one eye might darken. The consequences of this are unknown. Consult your eye doctor. If you develop an eye infection, trauma or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about the continued use of the same dropper bottle. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug is excreted into breast milk. Caution is advised if breast-feeding. Consult your doctor. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription or prescription medication you may use, especially of eye drops containing thimerosal preservative (consult your pharmacist). If such drops are used, wait 5 minutes after using latanoprost. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as remembered; do not use it if it is near the time for the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store unopened bottles in the refrigerator between 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C). Once opened, the bottle may be stored at room temperature no higher than 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) for six weeks. Keep away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.