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Latanoprost

Brand Name(s)
Xalatan®

Generic Name(s)
Latanoprost

Legal Classification of medication

POM

Lantanoprost eye drops can only be obtained in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner and therefore the legal status of the medication is prescription only medication (POM).

Formulations

Latanoprost is available as an eye drop preparation which is a clear and colorless liquid with strength of 0.005%. Each drop approximately contains 1.5mcg of latanoprost.

Latanoprost eye drops are kept in a pharmacy refrigerator prior to dispensing between 2-8ºC. After they have been opened they can be kept outside the fridge as long as the temperature does not exceed 25ºC. The eye drops need to be disposed off after 4 weeks as they might not be sterile after this.

Class of drug

Latanoprost is a topical prostaglandin analogue or prostamides.

Indications

Raised intra-ocular pressure in open angle glaucoma.
Ocular hypertension.

How does it work?

Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure inside the eye becomes too high. This can result in damage to the optic nerve leading to vision loss. Glaucoma develops as the eye is unable to drain fluid called aqueous humour, therefore increasing the pressure in the eye. Naturally occurring chemicals in the eye called prostaglandins increase the drainage of aqueous humour out of the eye. Latanoprost mimics the action of naturally occurring prostaglandins within the eye increasing the drainage of the fluid therefore reducing pressure with in the eye ball.

How is it taken?

Latanoprost causes reduction of pressure in about 3-4 hours after instillation and is maximal after 8-12 hours. Pressure reduction will last for about 24 hours. The eye drops are instilled once daily into the affected eye(s), preferably at night.

The following procedure should be followed when instilling latanoprost into the affected eye(s):

Wash your hands and sit or stand in front of a mirror.
Take off the top of the bottle.
Bend your head backwards and gently pull your lower eyelid down.
Hold the dropper above one eye. Squeeze one drop into the pocket formed by gently pulling down the lower eyelid. Try not to touch your eye, eyelashes, or anything else with the dropper tip.
Let go of the eyelid and keep the eye closed for as long as possible after application of the eye drop.
Wipe away any liquid that falls onto your cheek with a tissue.

Pregnancy and Breast feeding

The safety profile of latanoprost eye drops has not bee established in pregnancy and breast feeding. Therefore, latanoprost should not be used during pregnancy as it can be potentially hazardous to the unborn child, and breast feeding should be stopped while using the medication.

Contraindications

Latanoprost should not be taken if you have suffered an allergic reaction to any of the following compounds also found in prepartions of Latanprost:

Benzalkonium chloride
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate
Anhydrous disodium phosphate

Side-effects

Latanoprost eye drops may produce a gradual increase in the amount of brown pigment in the iris. The change in eye color is more evident with mixed colored irises, and may be permanent in some patients. Darkening, thickening, and lengthening eye lashes may occur.

Latanoprost contains benzalkonium chloride which used as a preservative. This preservative is known to discolor soft contact lenses. The soft contact lenses need to be removed before instilling the drug but may be re-inserted after 15 minutes.

The following patents need to be closely monitored by their GP while using latanoprost:

Severe or brittle asthma in patents
Inflammation with in the eye
Absence of natural lens in the eye from a cataract surgery
Oedema with in the eye
Patents who have a history of angina

Author: Mr Shiraz Mughal, MPharmS
Editor: Dr Shazan Chughtai, MB BS

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Latanoprost

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