latanoprost
Xalatan
Pregnancy Risk Category C
How supplied
Ophthalmic solution: 0.005% (50 mcg/ml)
Action
Exact mechanism unknown. Believed to increase outflow of aqueous humor, thereby lowering intraocular pressure (IOP).
Indications & dosage
Increased IOP in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma who are intolerant of other IOP-lowering drugs or insufficiently responsive to other IOP-lowering drugs-
Adults: 1 drop in conjunctival sac of affected eye once daily in the evening.
Adverse reactions
CV: angina pectoris, chest pain.
EENT: blurred vision, burning, stinging, conjunctival hyperemia, foreign body sensation, itching, increased brown pigmentation of the iris, dry eye, punctate epithelial keratopathy, lid crusting or edema, lid discomfort, excessive tearing, eye pain, photophobia.
Musculoskeletal: muscle, joint, or back pain.
Respiratory: upper respiratory tract infection.
Skin: rash, allergic skin reaction.
Other: cold or flu.
Interactions
Drug-drug. Eyedrops containing thimerosal: precipitation occurs when mixed with latanoprost. If used concomitantly, administer at least 5 minutes apart.
Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug, benzalkonium chloride, or other components of drug.
Nursing considerations
- Use cautiously when administering to patients with impaired renal or hepatic function.
- Drug shouldn't be administered while patient is wearing contact lenses.
- More frequent administration than that recommended may decrease IOP-lowering effects of drug.
- Drug may gradually change eye color, increasing amount of brown pigment in iris. This change in iris color occurs slowly and may not be noticeable for months or years. Increased pigmentation may be permanent.
- To avoid ocular infections, don't allow tip of dispenser to contact eye or surrounding structures. Serious damage to eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.
- Safety and efficacy of drug in children haven't been established.
- It isn't known if drug appears in breast milk; use caution when administering drug to breast-feeding women.
Patient teaching
- Inform patient of potential for change in iris color. Patients receiving treatment in only one eye should be told about risk of increased brown pigmentation in treated eye.
- Teach patient how to instill drops. Advise him to wash his hands before and after instillation, and warn him not to touch dropper or its tip to eye or surrounding tissue.
- Advise patient to apply light finger pressure on lacrimal sac for 1 minute after instillation to minimize systemic absorption.
- Instruct patient to report ocular reactions, especially conjunctivitis and lid reactions.
- Tell patient who wears contact lenses to remove them before administering solution and not to reinsert the lenses until 15 minutes have elapsed.
- Advise patient that, if more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.
- If patient develops another ocular condition (such as trauma or infection) or needs ocular surgery, advise him to contact doctor about continued use of multidose container.
- Stress importance of compliance with recommended therapy.
*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine. †Canada ‡Australia §U.K. OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING