Latanoprost Eye Drops: Uses, Side Effects, and How to Use Them
Latanoprost is a prescription eye drop used to lower pressure inside the eye in people with open-angle glaucoma or high eye pressure. It may also be used off-label to help grow eyelashes, but you should use it for this purpose only if your doctor recommends it.
Use latanoprost exactly as prescribed, usually as one drop in the affected eye once daily. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have worsening redness, pain, discharge, or changes in your vision.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- S01EE01
- Generic
- Latanoprost
- Class
- prostaglandin-analog
- Brands
- Xalatan
- Availability
- rx
- Pregnancy
- C
- Lactation
- caution
- Half-life (h)
- 3
- Duration (h)
- 24
- Routes
- ophthalmic
- Forms
- eye-drops
- Regions
- CN, US, EU, JP
- Monitoring
- eye-color-change
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 1 drop
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily in the evening
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 1 drop
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily in the evening
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 1 drop
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- once daily in the evening
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
8 groupspregnancy
first trimesteravoid if possible
Avoid use during pregnancy unless benefits significantly outweigh potential risks to fetus. Discuss with healthcare provider.
regular fetal monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
second trimesteruse lowest effective dose
Use only if clearly needed; benefits vs risks should be assessed
standard prenatal monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
third trimesteruse lowest effective dose
Use only if benefits outweigh risks; consider alternatives
fetal monitoring as indicated
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
lactation
breastfeedingno adjustment needed
Use with caution; systemic absorption minimal but monitor infant
monitor infant for adverse effects
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
children under 18not recommended
Not recommended for use in pediatric patients due to limited safety and efficacy data
not applicable
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
geriatric
elderly 65 yearsno adjustment needed
No dose adjustment required; monitor for increased sensitivity
routine ocular pressure monitoring
renal_impairment
mild to moderateno adjustment needed
No dose adjustment required due to minimal systemic absorption
routine monitoring
hepatic_impairment
mild to moderateuse with caution
Use with caution; metabolism may be altered; monitor response
monitor therapeutic response
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
Statistics and clinical data
FDA approval year
Year when latanoprost was first approved for medical use in the United States
Drug class classification
Latanoprost belongs to the prostaglandin analog class of medications
Primary indications
Main medical conditions treated with latanoprost eye drops
First-line therapy status
Latanoprost is recommended as a first-line medication for glaucoma management
Drug interactions
1 documented interaction(s) with other medications in this knowledge base.
NSAIDs（包括COX-2抑制剂）可能通过抑制内源性前列腺素合成而拮抗前列腺素类似物的降眼压作用，从而减弱latanoprost增加葡萄膜巩膜外流的疗效
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Known allergy to this medication or its components
Use caution (1)
Consult healthcare provider for benefits vs risks assessment
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 22, 2026. · Read our editorial policy