How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Latanoprostene belongs to a class of medications called prostaglandin analogs. It works to reduce the pressure in the eye by allowing fluid in the eye to flow out of the eye more easily. It is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension (increased pressure in the eye).
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Each 1 mL of sterile topical ophthalmic solution contains 0.24 mg of latanoprostene bunod. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, citric acid, EDTA, glycerin, polysorbate 80, sodium citrate, and water.
How should I use this medication?
The usual adult dose of latanoprostene is 1 drop in the affected eye(s), once daily, preferably in the evening. This medication should not be used more than once a day, as this will reduce its effectiveness.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you the correct way to use the eye drops. This medication is for external use only. Do not allow the dropper tip of the bottle to touch your eye or the surrounding area, because this could contaminate the tip with common bacteria known to cause eye infections. Serious damage to the eye may occur if your eye drop solution has become contaminated.
Remove contact lenses before putting the drops in your eye(s). You can reinsert them 15 minutes after you have put the latanoprostene eye drops in.
Latanoprostene eye drops may be used with other eye medications intended to reduce pressure inside the eye. If you are using more than one type of eye drop, use the medications at least 5 minutes apart.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. Any medication remaining in the bottle 8 weeks after opening must be safely discarded.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to latanoprostene or any ingredients of the medication.
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- changed sense of taste
- eye irritation or redness
- eye pain when the drops are instilled
- feeling like something is in your eye
- stuffy nose
- thicker, longer eyelashes
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- blurred or wavy vision in the centre of the eye
- darkening eyelid colour
- eye infections (e.g., blurred vision, pain, redness, tearing, discharge, sensitivity to light)
- eye pain
- faded colours
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Eye changes: Latanoprostene may gradually change the colour of the eye, increasing the amount of brown pigment in the iris by increasing the number of melanosomes (pigment granules). The long-term effects on the eye and the chances of injury to the eye are currently unknown. The change in colour may be permanent. This effect has mostly been seen in patients with mixed-coloured eyes (e.g., blue-brown, grey-brown, green-brown, or yellow-brown). In patients with uniformly blue, grey, green, or brown eyes, the change has only rarely been seen. The change in colour occurs slowly, and may not be noticeable for several months to years. Latanoprostene has also been reported to cause darkening, thickening, and lengthening of eyelashes, as well as darkening of the eyelid.
Other eye conditions: The safety of using latanoprostene eye drops if you have other eye conditions may not be well known. If you have other eye conditions such as macular edema, uveitis or lens problems, or a history of herpetic keratitis, discuss with your doctor how latanoprostene may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney or liver function: This medication has not been studied for use by people with impaired kidney or liver function. If you have impaired kidney or liver function, discuss with your doctor how latanoprostene may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Contact lenses: Remove contact lenses before instilling these eye drops. Lenses can be reinserted 15 minutes after using the eye drops.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking latanoprostene, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children and adolescents less than 16 years of age.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Vyzulta
