Latanoprost
One latanoprost product sits on this shelf: Xalatan, a 2.5 ml eye drop in Eye Care used to lower pressure in Open-angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension, conditions where pressure builds up inside the eye.
Key points
- Latanoprost belongs to the prostaglandin analog class and lowers eye pressure by increasing the outflow of natural eye fluids.
- It may permanently change eye color to brown and cause eyelashes to grow longer, thicker, and darker; these changes occur slowly and may be irreversible.
- Xalatan is the original brand of latanoprost, the first prostaglandin analog for eye use, introduced in 1996.
How does Latanoprost work?
Latanoprost mimics a natural prostaglandin in the eye. It widens a secondary drainage pathway, letting fluid leave the eye more freely and reducing the pressure that builds up inside. The drops start working within 3 to 4 hours, peak at 8 to 12 hours, and last more than 24 hours. On average, latanoprost lowers eye pressure by 30% to 35%.
Using it more than once a day can reduce its effect or cause pressure to rise, because the receptors in the eye become less responsive.