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

Quick overview

Xalatan Eye Drops contain latanoprost, a prostaglandin analogue used to lower high pressure inside the eye. They are used in people with open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and in certain cases of chronic angle-closure glaucoma after specific eye procedures. Xalatan is applied once daily in the evening and works by increasing the natural drainage of fluid out of the eye.

What is Xalatan Eye Drops

Xalatan is a prescription eye drop solution that contains the medicine latanoprost. It belongs to a group of medicines called prostaglandin analogues and is used to lower high pressure inside the eye.

Xalatan Eye Drops uses

• Reduction of elevated pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
• May be used to reduce eye pressure in chronic angle-closure glaucoma after certain eye procedures (peripheral iridotomy or laser iridoplasty)

Benefits of Xalatan Eye Drops

• Lowers high pressure inside the eye, which is a major risk factor for optic nerve damage and vision loss from glaucoma
• Effective when used once daily, with a similar pressure-lowering effect to timolol eye drops used twice daily

How Xalatan Eye Drops works

Xalatan works by increasing the natural drainage of fluid out of the eye, which lowers the pressure inside the eye.

Xalatan Eye Drops dosage

Use in the evening for the best effect. Do not use more than once a day, since using it more often can make it work less well or cause pressure spikes. Wash your hands before using the eye drops. Remove contact lenses before applying the drops; they can be put back in after waiting a period of time. Do not let the dropper tip touch your eye, eyelid, or any other surface, to avoid contaminating the solution. Close your eyes for a couple of minutes after applying the drop, and press gently on the inner corner of the eye to keep the drop from draining into the tear duct. If you use other eye drops as well, wait several minutes between using Xalatan and the other drops. If a dose is missed, just continue with the next scheduled dose as normal — do not use extra drops to make up for it. Not recommended for use in children.

Available forms and strengths

• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops), 50 micrograms/mL (0.005%)

Side effects of Xalatan Eye Drops

Common

• Blurred vision
• Burning, stinging, itching, or redness of the eye after using the drops
• Feeling as if something is in the eye
• Changes in eyelash number, color, length, or thickness
• Eyelid skin darkening
• Browning of the iris (colored part of the eye)
• Watery eyes
• Dry eyes
• Eye discomfort
• Eyelid crusting or discomfort
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Cold or flu-like symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat)
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Muscle or joint pain

Serious

• Eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage
• Red, swollen, or itchy eyelids
• Oozing or eye discharge
• Chest pain
• Sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors
• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Asthma or worsening of asthma
• Severe skin reactions including rash and skin breakdown in different parts of the body (toxic epidermal necrolysis)

Warnings and precautions

• Xalatan can slowly change the color of your eye, making the iris more brown, and this change may be permanent.
• Xalatan may darken eyelid skin and cause eyelashes to become longer, thicker, darker, and more numerous, which may not be reversible in all cases.
• Use caution if you have a history of eye inflammation (iritis/uveitis); this medicine generally should not be used if you currently have active eye inflammation.
• Swelling in the back of the eye (macular edema) has been reported with this medicine, especially in people without a lens or with certain lens conditions after cataract surgery, or with other risk factors.
• If you have had a cold sore virus infection of the eye (herpetic keratitis), use this medicine with caution, and avoid it entirely if you currently have an active infection.
• Contamination of the bottle tip has led to serious eye infections in some patients. Do not let the tip touch your eye or any surface.
• This medicine contains a preservative that can be absorbed by contact lenses. Remove lenses before using the drops and wait before putting them back in.
• Do not use two or more prostaglandin-type eye medicines together, as this can reduce the pressure-lowering effect or cause pressure to rise unexpectedly.
• Xalatan should only be used during pregnancy if your doctor decides the benefits outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you might be, or are planning a pregnancy.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding while using Xalatan.
• This medicine has not been specifically studied in people with kidney problems, so it should be used carefully in these patients.
• This medicine has not been specifically studied in people with liver problems, so it should be used carefully in these patients.
• This medicine can cause temporary blurred vision after you put the drops in. Do not drive or use machinery until your vision clears.

Storage

• Protect from light
• Store unopened bottle(s) under refrigeration at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)
• During shipment to the patient, the bottle may be maintained at temperatures up to 40°C (104°F) for a period not exceeding 8 days
• Once a bottle is opened for use, it may be stored at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) for 6 weeks
• Do not freeze
• Keep all medicines in a safe place, out of the reach and sight of children
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and bottle

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency 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.
• Stop using the medicine and call your doctor right away if you notice eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage, which may be signs of infection.
• Seek medical care right away for serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred or tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Get help immediately for serious heart symptoms like fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, chest fluttering, shortness of breath, or sudden dizziness or fainting.
• Seek urgent care for a severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, heavy sweating, or tremors.
• If you develop an eye injury or infection, or you plan to have eye surgery, tell your doctor right away so they can advise you about continuing this medicine.

Alternatives

• Timolol Eye Drops
• Bimatoprost Eye Drops
• Dorzolamide Eye Drops