Prostaglandin F2α analogue (topical IOP reduction) Pregnancy: US label §8.1: there are no adequate and well-controlled studies of latanoprost ophthalmic solution in pregnant women to inform drug-associated risks. In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of latanoprost to pregnant rabbits and rats throughout organogenesis produced malformations, embryofetal lethality and spontaneous abortion at clinically relevant doses.

Latanoprost 0.005%

Brand names: Xalatan, Monoprost

Latanoprost is a prostaglandin-analogue eye drop used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: One drop in the affected eye(s)

Route: Topical ocular (ophthalmic solution containing latanoprost 50 mcg/mL = 0.005%)

Frequency: Once daily in the evening

Max: The dosage should not exceed once daily — administering prostaglandin drug products more than once daily may decrease the IOP-lowering effect or cause paradoxical elevations in IOP

SOURCE PROVENANCE — the eMC record in this bundle is NOT a latanoprost-alone SPC: its §4.3 reads 'Latanoprost + Timolol is contraindicated in patients with...' and §4.4/§4.6/§4.8 are written throughout for the latanoprost + timolol fixed combination. Its beta-blocker contraindications (asthma, sinus bradycardia, AV block, cardiac failure) belong to the timolol component and MUST NOT be attributed to latanoprost alone, so the eMC record has not been used here. The dose and all lists below are taken from the openFDA US label for latanoprost ophthalmic solution 50 mcg/mL (0.005%), which matches this page — clinician to verify against a latanoprost-alone UK SPC. From that US label: if one dose is missed, treatment should continue with the next dose as normal. The combined use of two or more prostaglandins, or prostaglandin analogs including latanoprost, is not recommended. Reduction of IOP starts approximately 3 to 4 hours after administration and the maximum effect is reached after 8 to 12 hours. Latanoprost may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower IOP; if more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart. In vitro studies have shown that precipitation occurs when eye drops containing thimerosal are mixed with latanoprost. Contact lenses should be removed prior to administration and may be reinserted 15 minutes after administration. Paediatric: safety and effectiveness in paediatric patients have not been established (US label §8.4). Geriatric: no overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients (§8.5). The eMC (combination) §4.2 likewise states that safety and efficacy in children and adolescents has not been established, and that nasolacrimal occlusion or closing the eyelids for 2 minutes reduces systemic absorption. Dose quote — US label §2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: 'The recommended dosage is one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening.'

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

US labelling (FDA)

Reference — US labelling, may differ from UK

The recommended dosage is one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. If one dose is missed, treatment should continue with the next dose as normal. The dosage of latanoprost ophthalmic solution should not exceed once daily; the combined use of two or more prostaglandins, or prostaglandin analogs including latanoprost ophthalmic solution is not recommended. It has been shown that administration of these prostaglandin drug products more than once daily may decrease the IOP lowering effect or cause paradoxical elevations in IOP. Reduction of the IOP starts approximately 3 to 4 hours after administration and the maximum effect is reached after 8 to 12 hours. Latanoprost …

Source: US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed), label dated 2024-11-29. Accessed 2026-06-12. US dosing and indications can differ from UK practice — use UK sources for prescribing decisions.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to latanoprost, benzalkonium chloride, or any other ingredients in this product (US label §4)

Side effects

Most common adverse reactions (5–15% in clinical trials): blurred vision, burning and stinging, conjunctival hyperaemia, foreign body sensation, itching, increased pigmentation of the iris, and punctate keratitis
Iris pigmentation change — likely to be permanent after discontinuation; periorbital (eyelid) tissue pigmentation and eyelash changes have been reported to be reversible in some patients
Eyelash changes — increased length, thickness, pigmentation and number of lashes
Intraocular inflammation (iritis / uveitis)
Macular oedema, including cystoid macular oedema

Interactions

Other prostaglandins / prostaglandin analogs — combined use of two or more is not recommended (US label §2)
Eye drops containing thimerosal — precipitation occurs in vitro when mixed with latanoprost; administer at least 5 minutes apart (US label §2)
Any other topical ophthalmic drug — administer at least 5 minutes apart (US label §2). No UK SPC §4.5 interaction text was present in the fetched bundle.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It increases the outflow of aqueous humour (mainly via the uveoscleral route), reducing intraocular pressure.

Prescribing in practice

It is usually instilled once daily in the evening; it is a first-line agent for raised intraocular pressure.
It can permanently darken the iris (especially in mixed-colour eyes), darken eyelid skin and lengthen/darken lashes.
Local irritation and, rarely, reactivation of eye inflammation can occur.

Monitoring

Monitor intraocular pressure and the eyes; review adherence.

Counselling the patient

Use one drop in the evening as directed.
It may gradually change eye colour, eyelid skin colour and lash growth.
If using more than one eye drop, leave a few minutes between them.

Evidence & guidelines

A first-line topical treatment for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (NICE NG81).

Reference: NICE CG85 Glaucoma; EGS Glaucoma Guidelines 2020; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways