Type of medicine: prostaglandin; antiglaucoma
Generic and brand names: latanoprost, ophthalmic; Xalatan
This medicine is an eyedrop used to treat high pressure in the eyes. High intraocular (within the eye) pressure occurs with glaucoma and other conditions.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your provider if you wear contact lenses.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more of it or use it more often than prescribed. Using this medicine too much may increase the risk of side effects. Do not stop using this medicine without your provider's approval.
Wash your hands before putting medicine in your eyes. Tilt your head back, and gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a pouch. Hold the dropper directly above your eye, look up, and squeeze a drop of the medicine into the pouch. Close your eyes for a minute or two and with a fingertip press gently on the inside corner of your eye to keep the medicine from draining out. Do not rub your eyes.
To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye or any other surface. After use, put the cap on tightly. Do not rinse the dropper. Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored.
If your healthcare provider has prescribed more than one eye medicine, use them at least 10 minutes apart. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist which eye medicine should be used first.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.
This medicine may increase the amount of brown color in the iris of the eye and eyelid. Your eyelashes may also change in length, thickness, and color. If you are using this medicine in only one eye, only that eye will change. You may not notice this change for months or years. These changes may be permanent. Depending on how much the color changes, your healthcare provider may decide that you should stop taking this medicine.
If you hurt your eye or get an eye infection while using this medicine, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
This medicine may affect your vision temporarily. Do not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly.
Do not wear contact lenses while you put in the medicine. The preservative in these eyedrops may damage contact lenses. Remove contact lenses 15 minutes before using this medicine and wait at least 15 minutes before you put them back in. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine. If you need eye surgery while using this medicine, be sure to tell the surgeon you are using this medicine.
Your healthcare provider will want to check you regularly. Keep all appointments for eye exams.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Any severe reaction in your eyes or eyelids such as red, irritated, or swollen eyes or eyelids, seeing sparks or flashes of light; chest pain.
Other: Blurred vision or other vision change; headache; dizziness; burning, stinging, itching, or feeling that something is in your eyes; increased sensitivity to light; dry eye; watery eyes; a cold or flu; pain in your muscles, joints, or back; skin rash; brown color of eyelid or iris; eyelash darkening.
No significant drug interactions have been reported. However, do not use other products in your eyes while you are using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. If you use more than one eye medicine, use them at least 5 minutes apart.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store the unopened bottle in the refrigerator. Once opened, you may store the container at room temperature for up to 6 weeks. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
