Latanoprost

The recommended dose of latanoprost is 1 drop to the affected eye(s) once daily, preferably in the evening. Latanoprost should not be used more than once a day.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you the correct way to instill the eye drops. Latanoprost is for external use only. Do not allow the dropper tip of the bottle to touch your eye or other surrounding structures, because this could contaminate the tip with common bacteria known to cause Eye Infections. Serious damage to the eye may result if you use eye drop solutions that have become contaminated.

Remove contact lenses before putting the drops in your eye(s). They may be reinserted 15 minutes after you have put latanoprost eye drops in your eye.

Latanoprost eye drops may be used with other eye medications intended to reduce pressure inside the eye. If more than one type of eye drop is being applied, use the medications at least 5 minutes apart.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use Latanoprost exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Before opening, keep the container of eye drops in the fridge, out of direct light. Once the bottle has been opened, keep the eye drops at room temperature. Latanoprost eye drops must be used within 6 weeks after opening the container.

Store Latanoprost out of reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may increase the length of your eyelashes; it may permanently darken your eyelashes; it may cause eye discomfort; it may change the colour of your eyes over time - this is more likely among people who already have some brown eye coloring; it may cause redness of the eyes; when used, it may cause a temporary burning sensation. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

50 µg/mL
Each mL of sterile, isotonic, buffered aqueous solution for topical ophthalmic administration contains 50 µg of latanoprost. One drop contains approximately 1.5 µg of latanoprost. Nonmedicinal ingredients: sodium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, water, and benzalkonium chloride as a preservative.

Latanoprost should not be used by anyone who is allergic to latanoprost or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between latanoprost and any of the following:

• Bimatoprost
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• other eye drops
• thimerosal

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Latanoprost. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Latanoprost.

Asthma: Some people with asthma may experience an increase in asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, when they use latanoprost or other similar medications. If you have asthma, discuss with your doctor how latanoprost may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Latanoprost, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Eye changes: Latanoprost may gradually change the colour of the eye, increasing the amount of brown pigment in the iris by increasing the number of melanosomes (pigment granules). The long-term effects on the eye and the chances of injury to the eye are currently unknown. The change in colour may be permanent. This effect has mostly been seen in patients with mixed-coloured eyes (e.g., blue-brown, grey-brown, green-brown, or yellow-brown). In patients with uniformly blue, grey, green, or brown eyes, the change has only rarely been seen. The change in colour occurs slowly, and may not be noticeable for several months to years. Latanoprost has also been reported to cause darkening, thickening, and lengthening of eyelashes, as well as darkening of the eyelid.

Other eye conditions: The safety of using latanoprost eye drops if you have other eye conditions may not be well known. If you have other eye conditions such as uveitis or lens problems, discuss with your doctor how latanoprost may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Latanoprost, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney or liver function: Latanoprost has not been studied for use by people with impaired kidney or liver function. Latanoprost should be used with caution by these individuals.

Pregnancy: Latanoprost should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while using Latanoprost, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Latanoprost may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using latanoprost, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and efficacy of latanoprost have not been established for use by children.

This medication is for the eye. To use: Wash your hands as well as the skin surrounding the affected eye. Gently pull down the lower lid of the affected eye. Apply 1 drop of the medication. Unless your condition prevents you from doing so, close the eye for at least 1 minute, while gently pressing on the inner corner of the eye, near the nose. To avoid contaminating the medication, do not let the tip of the applicator touch your fingers or any part of your eye. Close the container tightly after each use. This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you forget a dose, simply skip it and then apply the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not double the next dose to catch up.