Xalatan
(Latanoprost)

DIRECTIONS: 

Instill one drop in the eye at bedtime, see: Proper eye drop insertion, then lie back with your eyes lightly closed. Using your thumb and first finger, lightly push in on your nose where the two eye lids come together for at least three minutes. This will give you the maximum pressure lowering effect with minimal side effects.

HOW XALATAN WORKS:

XALATAN is the first of a new class of glaucoma drugs called prostaglandins. Your body produces prostaglandins naturally for many things. In the eye, one particular prostaglandin has been shown to help the fluid in the eye flow out by opening alternative drainage canals, thus keeping the eye pressure from becoming elevated. Xalatan works similarly to this natural prostaglandin and is believed to increase the fluid outflow through this secondary drainage system.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

In some patients, Xalatan may cause a gradual change in eye color by increasing the amount of brown pigment in the iris (the colored part of your eye). This change may not be noticeable for several months to years. This effect most commonly occurs in people with mixed eye color (hazel). In these patients the brown pigment gradually spreads outward toward the outside edge of the iris. This is not a harmful process and is not related to cancer. If the medication is stopped reversal of eye color change does not occur.

Other reported ocular side effects include:

• Blurred vision.

• Burning, stinging. 

• Eye dryness. 

• Mild foreign body sensation. 

• Redness. 

Reported systemic side effects were: (These reactions are not common, so if any occur please contact your eye care provider).

• Upper respiratory tract congestion. 

• Joint pain.

• Rash if allergic. 

ADVANTAGES:

Xalatan is our most effective medication in lowering eye pressure and it does this with only one drop per day. This makes it both effective and convenient. Side effects of this medication are far fewer than most other glaucoma medications. Xalatan, due to its different method of action will combine nicely with most other medications giving an additive effect.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding:

The effects of Xalatan during pregnancy and breastfeeding have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. It is not known whether Xalatan makes it way into breast milk. If you are nursing and need to use Xalatan, your eye care doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding while using the medication.

Children:

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of latanoprost in children with use in other age groups.

Other medicines:

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using latanoprost, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Thimerosal-containing ophthalmic medications--A precipitation occurs (a solid settles out of the solution) when latanoprost is applied at the same time as a thimerosal-containing ophthalmic medicine; you should wait at least 5 minutes between using these two types of eye drops

Other medical problems:

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of latanoprost. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Eye disease, such as iritis or uveitis--Use of latanoprost may make these condition worse. Intraocular lens (IOL) replacement--May be more prone to an adverse reaction called macular edema. Kidney disease. Liver disease--Higher blood levels of latanoprost may result, which may lead to increased side effects

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding:

The effects of Xalatan during pregnancy and breastfeeding have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. It is not known whether Xalatan makes it way into breast milk. If you are nursing and need to use Xalatan, your eye care doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding while using the medication.

Contact Us