Pronunciation: la-TAN-oh-prost
Generic Name: Latanoprost
Brand Name: Xalatan
Latanoprost Drops are used for:
Treating increased pressure in the eye (ocular hypertension) and open-angle glaucoma.
Latanoprost Drops are a prostaglandin analog. It works to lower pressure in the eye by increasing fluid drainage from the eye.
Do NOT use Latanoprost Drops if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Latanoprost Drops
- you have inflammation in the eye (eg, iritis, uveitis)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Latanoprost Drops:
Some medical conditions may interact with Latanoprost Drops. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have swelling, infection, or injury of the eye, or you have a history of inflammation in the eye (eg, iritis, uveitis)
- if you do not have a lens in your eye or have had the lens in your eye replaced
- if you have other types of glaucoma (eg, narrow-angle, neovascular)
- if you will be having eye surgery
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Latanoprost Drops. However, no specific interactions with Latanoprost Drops are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Latanoprost Drops may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Latanoprost Drops:
Use Latanoprost Drops as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Use Latanoprost Drops in the evening unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Soft contact lenses may absorb a chemical in Latanoprost Drops. Remove contact lenses before you use Latanoprost Drops; lenses may be placed back in the eyes 15 minutes after use of Latanoprost Drops.
- Wash your hands before and after using Latanoprost Drops.
- Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eyelid for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
- To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
- Use Latanoprost Drops at least 5 minutes apart from any other medicine that you put in your eye, especially eye drops that contain thimerosal.
- Continue to use Latanoprost Drops even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Latanoprost Drops, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Latanoprost Drops.
Important safety information:
- Latanoprost Drops are for use in the eye only. Do not get it in your nose or mouth.
- Latanoprost Drops may cause blurred vision or make your eyes more sensitive to light. Use Latanoprost Drops with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. If your eyes become sensitive to light, wearing sunglasses may help.
- Latanoprost Drops may cause the colored part of your eye (iris) to turn brown. This change may be permanent. It may not be noticeable for several months to years. If it occurs, you will need to have regular eye examinations. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Latanoprost Drops may cause your eyelids to darken. It may also cause changes in the way that your eyelashes grow (eg, length, thickness, number of lashes). These effects usually go away after you stop using Latanoprost Drops. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Do NOT use more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- If you will be having eye surgery, tell your doctor that you use Latanoprost Drops.
- Lab tests, including eye pressure, may be performed while you use Latanoprost Drops. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Latanoprost Drops should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Latanoprost Drops while you are pregnant. It is not known if Latanoprost Drops are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Latanoprost Drops, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Latanoprost Drops:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred vision; changes in eyelash growth; cold symptoms; eye burning, dryness, itching, or stinging; feeling of having something in your eye; increased tear production.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; darkening of the eyelid or eye color; eye or eyelid discharge, inflammation, irritation, pain, redness, or swelling; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; vision changes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Latanoprost side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Latanoprost Drops:
Store unopened bottles in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Opened bottles may be stored at room temperature, up to 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), for up to 6 weeks. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Latanoprost Drops out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Latanoprost Drops, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Latanoprost Drops are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- Do not use Latanoprost Drops for other health conditions.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Latanoprost Drops. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Latanoprost resources
- Latanoprost Side Effects (in more detail)
- Latanoprost Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Latanoprost Drug Interactions
- Latanoprost Support Group
- 5 Reviews for Latanoprost - Add your own review/rating
Compare Latanoprost with other medications
- Glaucoma, Open Angle
- Intraocular Hypertension
No comments:
Post a Comment