Xalatan

Xalatan is a prescription eye drop used to treat an eye condition called glaucoma.  It is also used to treat a condition called ocular hypertension (higher than normal pressure inside the eye), which can lead to glaucoma if not treated. Xalatan belongs to a group of drugs called prostaglandins. It is thought to work by increasing the amount of fluid that flows out of the eye in order to lower the pressure.

Xalatan is used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Pharmacia and Upjohn Company

Xalatan side effects are usually mild and tolerable and may include blurred vision, burning and stinging, eye redness, the feeling of something in the eye, eye itching, increased pigmentation (darkening) of eye color, or irritation of the clear front surface of the eye.

Xalatan may slowly cause darkening of the eye color due to increased brown color, darkening of the eyelid and eyelashes, and increased growth and thickness of eyelashes. Color changes can increase as long as Xalatan is administered and eye color changes are likely to be permanent.

There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of multiple-dose containers of topical ophthalmic products.

Medicines can interact with other medicines. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain medicines. There may be medicines that interact with Xalatan. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Xalatan may cause increased brown pigmentation of the iris, which may be permanent. Eyelid skin darkening may occur, and may be reversible after discontinuation of Xalatan.

Eyelash changes may occur, including increased growth and thickness. Eyelash changes are usually reversible upon discontinuation of treatment.

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.

If you develop an intercurrent ocular condition (e.g., trauma or infection) or have ocular surgery, you should immediately seek your doctor's advice concerning the continued use of the multiple-dose container.

If you develop any ocular reactions, particularly conjunctivitis and lid reactions, tell your doctor right away.

Xalatan contains benzalkonium chloride, which may be absorbed by contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to administration of the solution. Lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration of Xalatan

If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least five (5) minutes apart.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Xalatan there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Xalatan.

• tell your doctor if you are allergic to Xalatan or any other medicines.
• tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamin, and herbal supplements.
• tell your doctor if you have inflammation of the eye, and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using Xalatan, call your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Xalatan will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Xalatan is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

To administer Xalatan drops:

1. After washing your hands thoroughly, hold the bottle in one hand, resting your thumb against your eyebrow or the bridge of your nose.
2. Use the index finger of your other hand to gently pull down your lower lid and make a pocket for the drop.
3. Gently squeeze the bottle to dispense 1 drop into the pocket of your lower lid.

Don't stop using Xalatan once your eye pressure is under control unless your eye doctor has told you to do so. Daily use of Xalatan can help keep your eye pressure down.

Tips for using eye drops

• If you use more than 1 eye drop medicine, wait at least 5 minutes between each eye drop
• If you forget to use Xalatan one day, apply the next drop as usual the next day. Don't try to catch up by using 2 drops the next day. Track your eye drops with the "Eye Pressure and Usage Tracker".
• If you wear contact lenses, remove your lenses before using Xalatan and wait 15 minutes after dosing before putting them back in
• Always wash your hands before using eye drops, or touching your eyes, contacts, or the Xalatan bottle. Use soap and warm running water to create a lather. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds—wash the fronts and backs of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers, and under fingernails. Use either a clean, dry towel or a fresh disposable towel to thoroughly dry your hands. And use a towel to turn off the faucet
• Remember, to avoid contamination do not touch the dispenser with your hands, eyes, and other surfaces
• If you have trouble getting the drop into your eye, try turning your head to the side, or lying down. Then place a drop in the inner corner of your eyelid, and open your eye slowly. The drop should roll right into your eye
• If you find that pulling down on your lower eyelid to make a pocket for the drop is difficult, try gently pinching the eyelid instead—then just drop the medicine into the pocket you created
• If you tend to blink before the drop hits your eye, try looking to the side rather than straight at the dropper
• If you aren't sure that you are getting the drop into your eye, try placing the bottle in the refrigerator before use. When you feel the cool eye drop, you will know that it made it into your eye
• If your hand is shaking, try resting your hand on your face—this may help steady your hand. If that doesn't work, try wearing a light wrist weight

The recommended dosage is one drop (1.5 µg) in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. If one dose is missed, treatment should continue with the next dose as normal.

If you take too much Xalatan, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Protect from light. Store unopened bottle(s) under refrigeration at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F). Once a bottle is opened for use, it may be stored at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) for 6 weeks. Keep Xalatan and all medicines out of the reach of children.