Latanoprost

Miotic, Antiglaucoma Preps · Prostaglandin analogue

Indications

Ocular hypertension and open angle glaucoma where other treatments have failed or are not tolerated.

Dosage

Adults: 1 drop in affected eye(s) once daily, preferably in the evening. Children: Not recommended.

Adverse Effects

Darkening of mixed coloured irides; inform patient. Darker, longer or thicker lashes. Blurred vision, conjunctival hyperaemia, foreign body sensation, transient punctate epithelial erosion. Rarely, macular oedema, iritis, uveitis. Eye irritation, punctate keratitis, blepharitis, eye pain, photophobia, conjunctivitis, eyelid darkening, dyspnoea.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Contact lenses. Active herpetic keratitis. Precautions: Inflammatory neovascular, angle closure or congenital glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, open angle glaucoma in pseudophakia patients. Severe asthma. Risk factors for iritis, uveitis or cystoid macular oedema. Aphakia, pseudophakia in patients with torn posterior lens capsule or anterior chamber lenses. Peri-op period of cataract surgery. History of herpetic keratitis. Monitor for keratopathy. Warn patient of possible eyelash growth, darkening of eyelids and change in eye colour which may not be noticeable for several months. Remove contact lenses; wait 15 min before reinserting.

Interactions

Additive effects with other glaucoma treatments. Leave interval of at least 5 min with other topical eye preparations.

Advice to Patient

Wash hands properly before use. Remove contact lenses before use. Wait 15 minutes before reinserting. To instill medication into eyes, tilt head back, look upward, instill drops into the eye. Close eye and roll eyeball in all directions. Do not blink for 30 seconds. Apply gentle pressure to inner corner of eye for 30 seconds. Contact prescriber if there is eye pain; eye infection; redness, burning, watering, puffiness around eyes; changes in vision; no improvement or worsening of condition. Avoid touching tip of applicator with eye. Do not share medication with anyone else. Wait 5 minutes before instilling any other medication.

Pharmacokinetics

Onset: 2-4 hrs. Absorption: Rapidly absorbed in the cornea. Small amount of the drug is systemically absorbed. Metabolism: Hydrolyzed by esterases in the cornea to the biologically active acid. Active acid is metabolized via hepatic route. Half-life elimination: Plasma: 17 mins. Time to peak: 8-12 hrs. Excretion: Urine (88%). Faeces (15%).

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.