Latanoprost

Latanoprost is an active ingredient for lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma (open-angle glaucoma) and in cases of increased intraocular pressure. It belongs to the group of prostaglandin analogs. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2-alpha derivative and is present as a slightly yellowish oil. It is insoluble in water and a prodrug that is converted to active latanoprost acid and isopropanol in the cornea of the eye. Latanoprost is available in the form of eye drops. Depending on the preparation, the active ingredient must be stored in a cool place or at room temperature.

Increased intraocular pressure can lead to vision loss. The higher the pressure, the greater the damage to the eye nerve (optic nerve) and therefore the greater the loss of vision. Latanoprost works by binding to the prostaglandin F2-alpha receptors. This makes the tissue more permeable to the aqueous humor and allows it to drain better. The more difficult it is for the aqueous humor to drain, the higher the pressure inside the eye and the greater the risk of vision loss. Latanoprost is effective for 24 hours as it is deposited in the cornea and is therefore released continuously over many hours.

Latanoprost is metabolized in the liver and excreted mainly via the kidneys. The half-life, i.e. the time the body needs to excrete half of the active substance, is 2 to 3 hours.

The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), i.e. the maximum concentration of the active substance in the blood plasma (liquid cell-free part of the blood), is reached after about 5 minutes. In the aqueous humor, the Cmax is only reached after approx. 2 hours.

Always take latanoprost exactly as described in the package leaflet or as advised by your doctor.

The usual recommended dose for adults is one drop (1.5 mcg) daily into the affected eye. If possible, apply Latanoprost in the evening. Contact lenses should be removed beforehand and only reinserted 15 minutes after application. If you have to use several eye drops, there should always be 5 minutes between the application of the individual preparations.

The following side effects may occur:

Very common:

• Change in eye color
• Reddening of the eyes
• Eye irritation
• Change in the eyelashes

Frequent:

• Irritation or damage to the surface of the eye
• Eyelid inflammation
• Eye pain
• Hypersensitivity to light
• Conjunctivitis

Occasionally:

• swollen eyelids
• Dry eyes
• blurred vision
• uveitis
• retinal swelling
• skin rash
• chest pain
• palpitations
• asthma
• shortness of breath
• headache
• dizziness
• Muscle and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting

Rarely:

• Inflammation of the iris
• Swelling around the eye
• Scarring of the surface of the eye
• Iris cyst
• Worsening of asthma
• severe itching of the skin
• Viral eye infection caused by herpes simplex viruses

Very rare:

• Worsening of angina pectoris
• deep-set eyes

Interactions may occur if the following medicines are taken at the same time:

• Prostaglandins
• Prostaglandin derivatives
• Prostaglandin analogs

Latanoprost must NOT be taken in the following cases:

• in case of allergy to Latanoprost

Latanoprost can be used from birth .

Pregnancy

Latanoprost should only be used during pregnancy after consultation with your doctor .

In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, there have been no indications of an increased risk of malformation. However, there are fewer than 20 reports. Systemic prostaglandins are also used in medicine for abortions. However, as latanoprost is only applied locally to the eye and the concentration per drop is only approx. 1.5 mcg, a systemic effect cannot be assumed.

In the 2nd trimester of pregnancy there are also no indications of an increased toxic risk for the unborn child. Systemic prostaglandins can lead to an undersupply of oxygen to the placenta and thus to an oxygen deficiency in the unborn baby.

Timolol is considered a more suitable alternative during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Latanoprost should only be used during breastfeeding after consultation with your doctor. There are no systematic studies on breastfeeding. However, symptoms or side effects in infants are not conceivable during breastfeeding due to the local application and the low concentration.

Latanoprost was developed in the 1980s by Columbia University in New York and the Swedish company Pharmacia in Uppsala. It was patented in 1993 and was approved in the EU, Switzerland and the USA in 1996.