Monoprost

Uses of Monoprost

It works to reduce the pressure in the eyeby allowing fluid in the eye to flow out of the eye better. It is used to treat people with open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension (increased pressure in the eye). It may also be used to reduce pressure in the eye for people who have chronic angle-closure glaucoma who have had surgical treatment.

Precautions and Warnings

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.

Asthma: Some people with asthma may experience an increase in asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, when they use latanoprost or other similar medications. If you have asthma, discuss with your doctor how latanoprost 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.

Eye changes: Latanoprost 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. Latanoprost 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 latanoprost eye drops if you have other eye conditions may not be well known. If you have other eye conditions such as uveitis or lens problems, discuss with your doctor how latanoprost 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. Latanoprost should be used with caution by these individuals.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while using this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using latanoprost, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and efficacy of latanoprost have not been established for use by children.

Dosage

For glaucoma or hypertension of the eye:

• Adults—One drop in the affected eye once a day in the evening.
• Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• blurred vision, eye irritation, or tearing
• dryness of eye
• burning sensation in the eye
• feeling of “something in eye”
• itchy eye
• longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes
• stinging of eye
• excessively watering eye