Has your doctor prescribed eye drops to control high eye pressure, or glaucoma? Or is someone in your family, maybe your mom or dad, using this medication? The name of this medication is Latanoprost. When you hear this name, you may feel a little scared and have a lot of questions. You may also have questions like "How do I use this?", "Are there any side effects?", "What should I be careful about when using it in my eyes?" Okay, today we will find simple and clear answers to all the questions you have in mind about this medication called Latanoprost.
Simply put, what is Latanoprost?
Latanoprost is a special eye solution that is used to treat conditions such as glaucoma, which is caused by increased pressure in the eye. Our eyes constantly produce and release a type of fluid. This is what keeps the eye healthy. But sometimes, if there is an obstruction in the outflow of this fluid, fluid builds up inside the eye and the pressure increases. It is similar to what happens when you blow too much air into a balloon.
This increased pressure can damage the optic nerve. Latanoprost works by increasing the amount of fluid that flows out of the eye, reducing the high pressure inside the eye. This stops the damage to the optic nerve.
This medication may come under different brand names, such as Xalatan, but they all contain the same active ingredient, Latanoprost.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before you start using this medicine, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Especially if you have any of these conditions, be sure to tell them about them.
- Other eye diseases: If you have another type of glaucoma, such as closed-angle glaucoma, an eye infection, swelling, or an injury.
- Contact Lenses: If you are a contact lens wearer.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy (allergy) to this medicine, Latanoprost, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Based on this information, your doctor will be able to decide whether this medication is right for you or not.
How do you apply these eye drops correctly?
To get the most out of this medicine, it's very important to use it correctly. This is a medicine that you put in your eyes, not a medicine that you drink. Okay, let's see how exactly to do it.
1. Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine.
2. Prepare the bottle: Open the cap of the bottle.
3. Tilt your head back: Sit in a chair or lie down in bed and tilt your head back slightly.
4. Pull the lower eyelid: Gently pull the lower eyelid down with your index finger, forming a small pouch.
5. Apply the medicine: Be careful not to let the dropper tip touch your eye, finger, or anywhere else. Doing so can transfer germs to the bottle. Now, put the number of drops of medicine prescribed by the doctor into the bag you have made.
6. Close your eyes: After applying the medicine, gently close your eyes for a minute or two. Do not rub your eyes. Pressing the corner of your eye, near your nose, with your finger can help prevent the medicine from going down your throat.
7. Other medications: If you are using another type of eye solution, wait at least 5 minutes after applying one medication before applying the other.
If you accidentally take more than the prescribed amount of medicine, or if someone drinks it, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Alternatively, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once for any reason.
Things to be careful about when using this medicine
You need to take a little extra care of your eyes while using this medicine.
- Medical tests: Go and get your eyes checked at the scheduled times as prescribed by your doctor. This will help you see how effective the medication is.
- Changes in eye color: This is a common side effect of this medication. When using Latanoprost , the color of your iris, the skin around your eyelids, and your eyelashes may change. It usually becomes a brownish color. Your eyelashes may also become longer, thicker, and more numerous . These changes may be permanent . If you are using the medication in only one eye, you may notice a difference in appearance between your eyes. If you notice this, talk to your doctor.
- Contact Lenses: If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying the medication. You can reinsert them 15 minutes after applying the medication.
- Sensitivity to light: This medication may cause some people to experience sensitivity to light. Wearing dark glasses when going outside can help reduce this discomfort.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, Latanoprost can cause some side effects. Most of these are not serious, but there are some things you should be aware of.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision or other changes in vision. |
| Eye pain or infection | New or increasing pain, redness, inflammation, or discharge from the eye. |
| 🙂 Side effects that usually do not require medical treatment (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
| Minor inconveniences | Blurred vision, dry eyes, mild itching or burning, excessive tearing. |
| Changes in color and eyelashes | Dark circles under the eyes, changes in skin color around the eyelids, and increased length/thickness of eyelashes. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
How do you properly store a medicine bottle?
To maintain the quality of the medicine, it is also essential to store it correctly.
- Unopened bottles: Store unopened bottles in the fridge at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius until the medicine bottle is ready for use.
- Broken bottles: Once the bottle cap is broken, it can be kept at room temperature (below 25 degrees Celsius). However, it can only be kept for 6 weeks .
- Protect from light: Do not store the bottle in areas exposed to light.
- Keep away from children: This is very important. Do not leave the medicine bottle where children can get it .
- After expiration: Throw away any medicine left after the expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- Latanoprost is a medication used to treat glaucoma (high pressure in the eye). It works by reducing pressure in the eye and preventing vision damage.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before applying the medicine. Be careful not to touch the mouth of the bottle to your eyes.
- Changes in eye color and eyelashes may occur. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about this.
- If you notice anything serious, such as eye pain, redness, or swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
- Store unopened bottles in the refrigerator and broken bottles at room temperature (up to 6 weeks). Always keep out of reach of children.
- If you have any questions about this medicine, never hesitate to ask your doctor.
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