Xalatan (Latanoprost Ophthalmic) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 8, 2012

Xalatan

Glaucoma »

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease of the major nerve of vision, called the optic nerve. The optic nerve receives light-generated nerve impulses from the retina and transmits these to the brain, where we recognize those electrical signals as vision. Glaucoma is characterized by a particular pattern of progressive damage to the optic nerve that generally begins with a subtle loss of side vision (peripheral vision). If glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can progress to loss of central vision and blindness.

Glaucoma is usually, but not always, associated with elevated pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure). Generally, it is this elevated eye pressure that leads to damage of the eye (optic) nerve. In some cases, glaucoma may occur in the presence of normal eye pressure. This form of glaucoma is believed to be caused by poor regulation of blood flow to the optic nerve.

How common is glaucoma?

Worldwide, glaucoma...

Read the Glaucoma article »

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Xalatan®
(latanoprost) Ophthalmic solution 0.005% (50 µg/mL)

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F_2α analogue. Its chemical name is isopropyl-(Z)-7[(lR,2R,3R,5S)3,5-dihydroxy-2-[(3R)-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentyl]cyclopentyl]-5-heptenoate. Its molecular formula is C₂₆H₄₀O₅ and its chemical structure is:

Xalatan®
(latanoprost) Structural Formula Illustration

Latanoprost is a colorless to slightly yellow oil that is very soluble in acetonitrile and freely soluble in acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, methanol and octanol. It is practically insoluble in water.

XALATAN Sterile Ophthalmic Solution (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) is supplied as a sterile, isotonic, buffered aqueous solution of latanoprost with a pH of approximately 6.7 and an osmolality of approximately 267 mOsmol/kg. Each mL of XALATAN contains 50 micrograms of latanoprost. Benzalkonium chloride, 0.02% is added as a preservative. The inactive ingredients are: sodium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, disodium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous and water for injection. One drop contains approximately 1.5 µg of latanoprost.

What are the possible side effects of latanoprost ophthalmic (Xalatan)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using latanoprost ophthalmic and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

redness, swelling, itching, or pain in or around your eye;
oozing or discharge from your eye;
increased sensitivity to light;
vision changes; or
chest pain.

Less serious side effects may...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Xalatan »

What are the precautions when taking latanoprost ophthalmic (Xalatan)?

Before using latanoprost, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: an active swelling process within the eye (e.g., iritis, uveitis).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other eye problems (e.g., macular edema, history of iritis/uveitis, lens extraction/aphakia), contact lens use.

If you develop an eye infection or...

Read All Potential Precautions of Xalatan »

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/20/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.