Experiences with
LatanoprostLatanoprost is a prostaglandin analogue medicine that treats high pressure inside the eye and helps treat glaucoma.
High pressure is usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which can then increase pressure inside the eye.
If not treated, high pressure can damage your optic nerve and cause vision loss or blindness.
Latanoprost is available on prescription only.
It comes as eye drops, either in eye drop bottles with a preservative in, or in single-dose droppers that are preservative-free.
You may sometimes be prescribed eye drops containing both latanoprost and timolol (a beta blocker).
Who can use latanoprost
Most adults and children, including babies, can use latanoprost eye drops.
Who may not be able to use latanoprost
Latanoprost is not suitable for some people.
To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting to use latanoprost if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to latanoprost or any other medicine
- are about to have or have had eye surgery (including cataract surgery)
- have eye problems such as eye pain, irritation, inflammation, blurred vision or dry eyes
- have severe asthma or your asthma is not controlled
- wear contact lenses – you can still use latanoprost, but you'll need to remove your contact lenses before using the drops
- have ever had or currently have, a viral infection of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Dosage
There are 50 micrograms of latanoprost in 1ml.
The usual dose for adults and children is 1 drop into the affected eye or eyes, once a day.
It comes as a multiple dose eye-drop bottle or a single-dose dropper. Always read the instructions that come with your medicine.
It's important to use latanoprost every day for it to work properly.
How to use eye drops
It's best to use your eye drops in the evening as latanoprost works better then.
If you wear contact lenses, make sure you remove them before using your eye drops. Wait 15 minutes before putting your lenses back in.
- Wash your hands.
- If you're using a bottle, remove the lid. If you're using the single-use dropper, twist off the tip.
- Use your finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid and tilt your head back.
- Make sure the tip of the dropper does not touch your eye, eyelashes, eyelid.
- Hold the dropper over your eye, and squeeze the bottle or single dose dropper gently so one drop goes into your eye.
- Release your lower eyelid and close your eye. Gently press your finger over the inside corner of your eye (over the eyelid) for about a minute. This helps keep the drops in your eye.
- Wipe away any extra liquid with a clean tissue.
- Repeat in your other eye if the doctor has told you to do this. There is enough liquid in 1 single-dose dropper to put a drop in both eyes if needed.
- Put the cap back on the bottle or if you're using the single-dose dropper, throw it away.
If you use latanoprost with other eye drops wait at least 5 minutes before using the other eye drops. The second eye drops can wash the latanoprost out and it may not work as well.
Expiry dates
Use the latanoprost eye drops within the expiry date on the bottle and within 4 weeks of opening. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections and the eye drops not working as they should.
Using your eye drops within their expiry dates is important to help reduce the risk of eye infections and the eye drops not working as well as they should.
The single-dose droppers come in sachets. Once you open the packet, use the droppers within 10 days. Do not use the droppers after the expiry date.
You could write the date you opened the bottle or packet on the label or the box. This will help you know when you need to start using a new one.
How long to use it for
You'll usually use latanoprost for the rest of your life. However, if it does not work well enough, your doctor may recommend a different or additional treatment.
It's important to use your eye drops regularly and go for check-ups, to stop your eyesight getting worse.
If you stop using latanoprost, the pressure inside your eye may go up. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping latanoprost.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use your drops at the usual time, skip the missed dose and use your eyedrops as usual the next day.
Never use 2 doses at the same time. Never use an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines.
If you use too much
Using too many drops can irritate your eye and make it water and turn red. If you get too much latanoprost in your eye, rinse it all out with water. Do not put any more drops in until it’s time for your next dose.
Any irritation, watering or redness should get better, but if you're worried about it ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- you swallow latanoprost and feel unwell
Get help from 111 online or call 111. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years old
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring the latanoprost packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.
Common side effects
These common side effects of latanoprost happen in up to 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to cope with them:
Talk to your doctor before you start using latanoprost if you're worried about this. If this is going to happen, it willl usually start within 8 months of using the eye drops. This colour change can be permanent and may be more obvious if you're only using the eye drops in 1 eye.
Irritation should go away once your body gets used to latanoprost, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're worried about this. If the eye drops are irritating your eyes and making them water so much that you're thinking about stopping using them, talk to your doctor straight away. They may prescribe something different for you. Do not drive, cycle, use tools or operate heavy machinery until your eyes feel comfortable again and your vision is clear.
Place a warm, clean flannel or piece of cotton wool over your eyes for up to 10 minutes. You could also try gently massaging your eyelids, or cleaning your eyelids with cotton wool or cotton wool buds that have been soaked in a small amount of baby shampoo.
Dip a clean cotton wool pad (1 for each eye) into some cooled, boiled water then gently wip your eyelashes to clean off the crusts. You can also try holding a cold flannel on your eyes for a few minutes to cool them down.
Your eyelashes are likely to return to normal after you stop using latanoprost. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried about this.
Wearing sunglasses may be helpful.
Keep using the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and these side effects bother you or do not go away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare and may affect 1 in 1,000 people.
Do not use any more latanoprost if you get serious side effects.
Call a doctor or call 111 straight away if you:
- have a fast heart rate (palpitations)
- you have chest pain
- you are wheezing and find it difficult to breathe ( asthma or worsening of asthma)
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to latanoprost.
Meds New IA (H4) - serious allergic reactionThese are not all the side effects of latanoprost. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
Latanoprost and pregnancy
Latanoprost eye drops can be used during pregnancy. Very little gets into your blood when dropped into the eye so it is not thought to be harmful.
Treating high blood pressure in the eye (glaucoma) is essential, so treatment should continue in pregnancy.
Latanoprost and breastfeeding
You can use latanoprost while you're breastfeeding. Treating high blood pressure in the eye is important, so treatment should continue in breastfeeding.
Latanoprost eye drops are not thought to pass into breast milk or cause any side effects in babies. If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your midwife, health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.
Latanoprost and fertility
There's no evidence to suggest that using latanoprost eye drops reduces fertility in either men or women.
OLD Meds - Pregnancy non-urgent care cardCautions with other medicines
There are some medicines that do not mix well with latanoprost and can affect how well it works.
Tell your doctor if you're using eyedrops that work in a similar way to latanoprost including:
- tafluprost
- travoprost
- bimatoprost
If you use 2 of these medicines (including latanoprost) together they can increase the pressure in your eye.
Mixing latanoprost with herbal remedies and supplements
There's not enough information to say whether complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with latanoprost. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.
OLD Meds - Cautions with other medicines alertRelated links
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