A prostaglandin-analogue eye drop
Latanoprost
A first-line once-daily eye drop for glaucoma that lowers the pressure inside the eye; it can permanently darken the iris and lengthen the lashes.
What is Latanoprost?
Latanoprost is a prostaglandin-analogue eye drop and one of the first-choice treatments for glaucoma and raised pressure inside the eye. It lowers eye pressure by helping fluid drain away more easily, which protects the optic nerve over time.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Latanoprost — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Latanoprost is a "prostaglandin-analogue" eye drop and one of the first-choice treatments for glaucoma and raised pressure inside the eye (ocular hypertension). High pressure inside the eye can slowly damage the optic nerve and threaten sight, often without any symptoms, so the aim of the drops is to protect vision for the long term. It is used as a single drop into the affected eye(s) each evening. In the UK and US the active ingredient and the original brand (Xalatan) are the same; preservative-free brands such as Monopost are also available for people whose eyes are sensitive.
How it works
The eye constantly makes a clear fluid (aqueous humour) that drains away to keep the pressure inside the eye steady. In glaucoma, the balance is upset and pressure rises. Latanoprost mimics a natural prostaglandin and opens up an alternative drainage route at the front of the eye, helping fluid flow out more easily. With more fluid leaving, the pressure inside the eye falls, which reduces the strain on the optic nerve and slows or prevents further damage to sight.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Pharmacia.
Latanoprost, a prostaglandin analogue, was developed by Pharmacia in Sweden (based on research by Johan Stjernschantz and Bahram Resul) and received US FDA approval in 1996, marketed as Xalatan.
What it treats
Conditions Latanoprost is used for
Practical use
How to take Latanoprost
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Use latanoprost as a single drop in the affected eye in the evening, as advised, since once-at-night use suits this medicine.
- If you use other eye drops, leave a gap of several minutes between them so they are not washed out.
- Be aware it can gradually darken the coloured part of the eye and may lengthen and darken the eyelashes; these changes can be permanent.
- Store unopened bottles in the fridge, but once a bottle is open it can usually be kept at room temperature for the in-use period stated on the label.
- If you wear soft contact lenses, take them out before using the drop and follow your optician's advice about reinserting them.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Latanoprost
Advantages
- Very effective at lowering eye pressure with once-daily use at night.
- Convenient single evening dose, which helps people remember it.
- Generally well tolerated, with few effects on the rest of the body.
- A long-established first-line option for glaucoma in the UK.
Disadvantages
- Can permanently darken the iris and change eyelash colour and length.
- May cause red, irritated or watery eyes, especially at first.
- Unopened bottles need to be kept refrigerated until first use.
- Needs to be used every day, long term, to keep eye pressure controlled.
Practical use
Good to know
It is used once a day, in the evening, as this timing gives the best pressure control. Glaucoma usually causes no symptoms, so the eye can feel completely normal even when pressure is high — which is exactly why the drops must be used every day to protect sight, not only when something feels wrong. It can gradually and permanently darken the coloured part of the eye (the iris), especially in mixed-colour eyes, and can make the eyelashes longer, thicker and darker and sometimes darken the skin around the eye. Some brands need to be kept in the fridge before they are opened. If using more than one type of eye drop, a gap between them stops the second washing out the first, and pressing gently on the inner corner after a drop reduces effects on the rest of the body.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had inflammation inside the eye, certain types of glaucoma after cataract surgery, or known sensitivity to the drops need individual assessment first.
- Used with caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding, where the need for it is weighed individually.
- Soft contact lenses are usually removed before instilling preserved drops and reinserted a short while later, as the preservative can be absorbed by the lens.
Monitoring
- Eye pressure at regular eye checks
- Optic nerve and field of vision over time
- Any change in iris colour, lashes or eye comfort
Side effects
- Redness, mild stinging or a feeling of something in the eye, especially when starting.
- A gradual, usually permanent darkening of the iris (the coloured part of the eye), and longer, thicker, darker eyelashes; sometimes darkening of the eyelid skin.
- Occasionally blurred vision shortly after instilling, dry or watery eyes, or eyelid irritation; rarely, inflammation inside the eye.
Key interactions
- Generally few interactions, as very little is absorbed into the rest of the body.
- If another eye drop is used as well, leaving a gap between them stops one washing the other out.
- Care if combined with other prostaglandin-type eye drops, which is not usually recommended.
Available as: Eye drops, available in multi-dose bottles and in single-use preservative-free units; some brands are stored in the fridge until opened.
Answers
Latanoprost: frequently asked questions
Why do I have to use the drops if my eye feels fine?
Glaucoma usually causes no symptoms until sight is already lost, so the eye can feel completely normal while the pressure is quietly damaging the optic nerve. The drops protect your vision for the long term, which is why they must be used every day exactly as prescribed, not just when something feels wrong.
Will latanoprost change my eye colour?
It can gradually darken the iris (the coloured part of the eye), most noticeably in eyes that are a mix of colours, and this change is usually permanent. It can also make the eyelashes longer, thicker and darker. These changes are not harmful, but it is worth knowing about them, especially if the drops are used in only one eye.
When should I use it — morning or night?
Latanoprost is used once a day in the evening, as this timing gives the best control of eye pressure over the day. Try to use it at about the same time each evening. If you also use other eye drops, leave a gap between them.
Does it need to be kept in the fridge?
Some brands of latanoprost need to be stored in the fridge until the bottle is first opened, after which it can usually be kept at room temperature for a set period. Other brands do not need refrigerating at all — check the label and the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist.
What is the difference between latanoprost, Xalatan and Monopost?
They all contain the same active ingredient. Xalatan is the original brand; Monopost is a preservative-free brand in single-use units, helpful for sensitive eyes. Generic latanoprost contains the identical active ingredient — the differences are mainly the preservative and packaging.
The wider class
About Glaucoma eye drops
Latanoprost belongs to the glaucoma eye drops class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF: Latanoprost.
- electronic Medicines Compendium (SmPC): Latanoprost (Xalatan).
- NICE CKS: Latanoprost eye drops.
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