Xalatan

Name: Xalatan

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using latanoprost,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to latanoprost or any other drugs.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including vitamins.
  • tell your doctor if you have inflammation of the eye, and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using latanoprost, call your doctor.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using latanoprost.

What are the side effects of latanoprost?

Between 5% and 15% (between 1 in 20 and 1 in 6) of persons receiving latanoprost for 6 months report at least one side effect localized to the eyes. These side effects included:

  • blurred vision,
  • redness,
  • a sensation of a foreign body,
  • discoloration of the iris,
  • itching,
  • burning, and
  • stinging.

Discoloration of the iris begins slowly. It is caused by an increase in the amount of brown pigment in the iris and may be permanent. Other side effects which have been reported less frequently include:

  • dryness of the eyes,
  • increased tearing,
  • eye pain,
  • and other eye-related discomfort.

elash changes such as increased length, thickness, and number of lashes may occur. Conjunctivitis, double vision, and eye discharge are rare side effects of latanoprost.

What Is Latanoprost Ophthalmic?

Latanoprost reduces pressure in the eye by increasing the amount of fluid that drains from the eye.

Latanoprost ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat certain types of glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye.

Latanoprost ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication while wearing contact lenses. Latanoprost ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using latanoprost ophthalmic before putting your contact lenses in.

Latanoprost ophthalmic may cause a gradual change in the color of your eyes or eyelids and lashes, as well as increased growth or thickness of your eyelashes. These color changes, usually an increase in brown pigment, occur slowly and you may not notice them for months or years. Color changes may be permanent even after your treatment ends, and may occur only in the eye being treated. This could result in a cosmetic difference in eye or eyelash color from one eye to the other.

Do not allow the tip of the dropper to touch any surface, including your eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.

After using this medication, wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye drops that your doctor has prescribed.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to latanoprost.

To make sure you can safely use latanoprost ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you have swelling or infection of your eye.

Latanoprost ophthalmic may cause a gradual change in the color of your eyes or eyelids and lashes, as well as increased growth or thickness of your eyelashes. These color changes, usually an increase in brown pigment, occur slowly and you may not notice them for months or years. Color changes may be permanent even after your treatment ends, and may occur only in the eye being treated. This could result in a cosmetic difference in eye or eyelash color from one eye to the other.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether latanoprost ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether latanoprost passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Uses of Xalatan

Xalatan is used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Xalatan Drug Class

Xalatan is part of the drug class:

  • Prostaglandin analogues

Side Effects of Xalatan

Xalatan side effects are usually mild and tolerable and may include blurred vision, burning and stinging, eye redness, the feeling of something in the eye, eye itching, increased pigmentation (darkening) of eye color, or irritation of the clear front surface of the eye.

Xalatan may slowly cause darkening of the eye color due to increased brown color, darkening of the eyelid and eyelashes, and increased growth and thickness of eyelashes. Color changes can increase as long as Xalatan is administered and eye color changes are likely to be permanent.

There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of multiple-dose containers of topical ophthalmic products.

Xalatan Interactions

Medicines can interact with other medicines. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain medicines. There may be medicines that interact with Xalatan. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Xalatan Usage

To administer Xalatan drops:

  1. After washing your hands thoroughly, hold the bottle in one hand, resting your thumb against your eyebrow or the bridge of your nose.
  2. Use the index finger of your other hand to gently pull down your lower lid and make a pocket for the drop.
  3. Gently squeeze the bottle to dispense 1 drop into the pocket of your lower lid.

Don't stop using Xalatan once your eye pressure is under control unless your eye doctor has told you to do so. Daily use of Xalatan can help keep your eye pressure down.

Tips for using eye drops

  • If you use more than 1 eye drop medicine, wait at least 5 minutes between each eye drop
  • If you forget to use Xalatan one day, apply the next drop as usual the next day. Don't try to catch up by using 2 drops the next day. Track your eye drops with the "Eye Pressure and Usage Tracker".
  • If you wear contact lenses, remove your lenses before using Xalatan and wait 15 minutes after dosing before putting them back in
  • Always wash your hands before using eye drops, or touching your eyes, contacts, or the Xalatan bottle. Use soap and warm running water to create a lather. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds—wash the fronts and backs of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers, and under fingernails. Use either a clean, dry towel or a fresh disposable towel to thoroughly dry your hands. And use a towel to turn off the faucet
  • Remember, to avoid contamination do not touch the dispenser with your hands, eyes, and other surfaces
  • If you have trouble getting the drop into your eye, try turning your head to the side, or lying down. Then place a drop in the inner corner of your eyelid, and open your eye slowly. The drop should roll right into your eye
  • If you find that pulling down on your lower eyelid to make a pocket for the drop is difficult, try gently pinching the eyelid instead—then just drop the medicine into the pocket you created
  • If you tend to blink before the drop hits your eye, try looking to the side rather than straight at the dropper
  • If you aren't sure that you are getting the drop into your eye, try placing the bottle in the refrigerator before use. When you feel the cool eye drop, you will know that it made it into your eye
  • If your hand is shaking, try resting your hand on your face—this may help steady your hand. If that doesn't work, try wearing a light wrist weight

Stability

Storage

Ophthalmic

Solution

Unopened bottles: refrigerate at 2–8°C and protect from light.1 15

Opened bottles: room temperature (not exceeding 25°C) for up to 6 weeks.1

How is this medicine (Xalatan) best taken?

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

  • For the eye only.
  • Use as you have been told by your doctor.
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Wash your hands before and after use.
  • Take out contact lenses before using Xalatan. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after this medicine is given. Do not put contacts back in if your eyes are irritated or infected.
  • Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
  • After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your eye.
  • Blot extra solution from the eyelid.
  • If more than 1 drug is being used in the same eye, use each drug at least 5 minutes apart.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
  • Do not use 2 doses or extra doses.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you forget to use the eye drops, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Xalatan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Xalatan: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Xalatan and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • redness, swelling, itching, or pain in or around your eye;

  • oozing or discharge from your eye;

  • increased sensitivity to light;

  • vision changes; or

  • chest pain.

Less serious Xalatan side effects may include:

  • cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;

  • headache, dizziness;

  • mild eye discomfort;

  • blurred vision;

  • feeling like something is in your eye;

  • dry or watery eyes; or

  • stinging or burning of the eyes after using the drops.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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