Xalatan (Latanoprost)

Do’s

• Use Xalatan in the affected eye(s) as directed by your healthcare provider, usually once daily in the evening.
• Before applying the eye drops, wash your hands to prevent contamination.
• If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using Xalatan. Wait at least 15 minutes before replacing your contact lenses.
• Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to create a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Close your eyes and apply gentle pressure to the corner of your eye near the nose for 1 to 2 minutes to prevent the medication from draining out. Repeat these steps if your dose is for more than one drop. If directed to use this medication in both eyes, repeat these steps for your other eye. 
• Replace the dropper cap after each use.
• Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery.
• Use Xalatan regularly at the same time each day to get the most benefit from it.
• Even if you feel well, keep using Xalatan as directed, as most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eye do not feel sick.
• If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other products. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.

Don’ts

• Do not use Xalatan more often than prescribed, as it will not work as well.
• Do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
• Avoid blinking or rubbing your eye after applying the eye drop.
• Do not rinse the dropper. 

Common Side Effects: 

• Blurred vision
• Burning and stinging
• Eye redness
• Eye itching
• Feeling of something in the eye
• Increased darkening of eye color
• Irritation of the clear front surface of the eye 

Serious Side Effects: 

• Decreased vision
• Eye pain
• Suspected eye infection (unusual redness or swelling of eyes)
• Rapid vision changes (such as loss of vision)

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including rash, severe itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Not all of these side effects may occur, and if they do occur, they may need medical attention. If you experience any side effects, contact your healthcare provider for further guidance.

Patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown pigmentation of the iris, which may be permanent. They should also be informed about the possibility of eyelid skin darkening, which may be reversible after discontinuation of Xalatan.

Patients should be informed of the possibility of eyelash and vellus hair changes in the treated eye during treatment with Xalatan. These changes may result in a disparity between eyes in length, thickness, pigmentation, number of eyelashes or vellus hairs, and/or direction of eyelash growth. Eyelash changes are usually reversible upon discontinuation of treatment.

Patients should be instructed to avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye or surrounding structures because this could cause the tip to become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.

Do not use Xalatan while wearing contact lenses, as the medication may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. 

Xalatan should be used with caution in patients with a history of herpetic keratitis and should be avoided in cases of active herpes simplex keratitis and in patients with a history of recurrent herpetic keratitis specifically associated with prostaglandin analogs. Additionally, there is limited experience with Xalatan in certain types of glaucoma, and caution is advised in these conditions until more experience is obtained.

Consult a healthcare provider for more information and discuss any specific concerns related to the use of Xalatan.