Travatan Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Travatan Eye Drops contain the active ingredient travoprost, a medicine belonging to the prostaglandin analogue class. They are used to treat high pressure inside the eye, open angle glaucoma, and ocular hypertension. Travatan works by increasing the amount of fluid that drains out of the eye, which helps lower eye pressure.

What is Travatan Eye Drops

Travatan is eye drops containing the active ingredient travoprost. It is used to treat high pressure inside the eye and open angle glaucoma.

Travatan Eye Drops uses

• High pressure inside the eye
• Open angle glaucoma (an eye condition caused by fluid buildup that damages the optic nerve)
• Ocular hypertension

Benefits of Travatan Eye Drops

• Lowers intraocular pressure
• Treats open-angle glaucoma
• Helps manage ocular hypertension
• Improves drainage of fluid from the eye
• Helps reduce pressure-related damage to the optic nerve

How Travatan Eye Drops works

Travatan lowers eye pressure by increasing the amount of fluid that drains out of the eye.

Travatan Eye Drops dosage

Put one drop into the affected eye or eyes each day, as directed by your doctor. Use it at the same time each day unless your doctor says otherwise; using it in the evening gives the best effect. Remove soft contact lenses before putting in the drops, and wait 15 minutes before putting your lenses back in. Shake or mix the bottle by turning it upside down several times before use. Wash your hands before and after using the drops. Do not let the dropper tip touch your eye, eyelid, or any other surface. After putting in the drop, close your eye gently without blinking or rubbing, and press a finger against the inside corner of your eye near your nose for about two minutes. If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between Travatan and the other drops. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor. This medicine is not recommended for use in children, according to the original Travatan leaflet, though a separate European version allows use from 2 months of age under medical supervision.

Available forms and strengths

• Eye drops, solution

Side effects of Travatan Eye Drops

Common

• Itchy eyes
• Redness of the eye(s)
• Eye pain
• Eye discharge
• Eye irritation
• Feeling that something is in your eye(s)
• Reduced vision
• Blurred vision
• Dry eye
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Excessive tearing
• Headache
• Throat irritation
• Cough
• Unusual weakness
• Dark circles under eyes

Serious

• Change in eye colour (iris, eyelid, or eyelashes)
• Changes in eyelashes such as increased length, thickness, pigmentation, or number
• Unwanted hollowing of the upper eyelid
• Problems or damage to the cornea with discomfort, redness, or light sensitivity
• Painful red eye with increased light sensitivity
• Buildup of fluid in the macula causing blurred or distorted vision
• Swelling of the eyelid or eye
• Signs of allergic reaction such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, rash, or hives
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears
• Irregular or fast heartbeat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Travatan if you are allergic to travoprost or any of its ingredients; watch for allergic reaction symptoms like difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.
• Tell your doctor if you have eye lens problems or narrow angle glaucoma, since these conditions need special care with this medicine.
• Never let the dropper tip touch your eye, hands, or any surface, since a contaminated dropper could cause a serious eye infection.
• This medicine can gradually and permanently change the colour of your iris, eyelids, or eyelashes, usually increasing brown pigment, and this may not be noticed for months or years.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, as untreated eye pressure can lead to loss of sight.
• Do not use Travatan if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you think you may be pregnant. Travatan is not recommended while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
• No routine dose adjustment is generally required for topical use in kidney conditions. Studies have not shown liver damage from this medicine, including in people with existing liver problems. No major direct interaction with alcohol is expected.
• Travatan can cause temporary blurred vision. Be careful driving or using machines until you know how it affects you, and wait until your vision clears.

Storage

• Store below 30°C.
• Store in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight; do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills.
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
• Discard the bottle 4 weeks after opening it.
• Do not use after the expiry date.
• Take unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal; do not throw it away in household waste or wastewater.

When to see a doctor

• Call your doctor straight away if you notice any change in your eye colour, changes in your eyelashes, or signs of an allergic reaction, or if you become pregnant or are breastfeeding while using this medicine.
• Get urgent medical help, even without symptoms, if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
• Stop using the eye drops and call your doctor right away if you have eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage, red or itchy eyelids, increased light sensitivity, vision changes, or severe burning or stinging.
• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Alternatives

• Latanoprost
• Bimatoprost
• Tafluprost