Eyes get a huge load in the modern world of computer technology. Often the cause of eye diseases is an increase in intraocular pressure. If this pressure is not reduced in time, then the optic nerve may suffer, and this leads to blindness. One of the effective medications that help in this situation is Latanoprost (eye drops).
The mechanism of action of the drug
The active substance of the drug safely penetrates through the cornea, where its hydrolysis (decomposition) takes place. "Latanoprost" helps to increase the outflow of moisture, due to which intraocular pressure decreases . The effect can be noted after 2 hours, the maximum effect will occur in 9-12 hours. The effect of the drug lasts about a day.
With open-angle glaucoma and an increase in intraocular pressure, Latanoprost (eye drops) is prescribed.
Instructions for use indicate the following contraindications:
- age up to 18 years;
- sensitivity to the components of the drug.
There are also application restrictions. With the inflammatory process in the eyeball and damage to the lens, the medicine is prescribed with caution after a comprehensive examination. With congenital glaucoma and some eye pathologies, the drug can be prescribed, but only with the use of medical supervision.
Use with caution
Caution should be followed by people using contact lenses. Latanoprost contains a special substance - benzalkonium chloride, which can affect the quality of lenses. In particular, this substance will accumulate on the surface of the lenses. It is best to use glasses for the duration of treatment. If this is not feasible, then before instilling the medicine, the lenses must be removed, but inserted back only 15 minutes after the procedure. The rest is quite simple to use the drug "Latanoprost" (eye drops).
Instructions for use of the drug during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman’s body is weakened and more susceptible to all kinds of diseases. Eye problems are not excluded. If necessary, "Latanoprost" can be prescribed during this period, but after examination. In this case, it is necessary to regularly visit a specialist in order to notice negative deviations in the state of health in time. Although the drug is well tolerated, the reaction of the body during pregnancy can be unpredictable. This is what distinguishes the Latanoprost drug. Analogs are prescribed during this period also with caution.
When breastfeeding, it is better not to use drugs, since all chemicals are excreted in breast milk. If any drug is vital, then it is best to transfer the child to artificial feeding.
Side effects
With the correct use of the drug, unpleasant consequences rarely occur, and their appearance should be reported to the doctor.
For the preparation "Latanoprost", the instructions for use describe possible side effects as follows:
- a feeling of itching and burning;
- a feeling of sand in the eyes;
- conjunctival redness;
- inflammation of the edge of the eyelid (blepharitis);
- thickening of eyelashes and their lengthening;
- blurred look.
These are side effects only from the side of the eyes, but changes in the whole body can be noted. Sometimes a rash appears on the skin, and in the region of the eyelids, the skin can noticeably darken. Dizziness is often noted, especially in the elderly. There may be pain and tension in the muscles, for example in the chest area. Shortness of breath and acute attacks of bronchial asthma are also noted.
Drug feature
A feature of Latanoprost is a change in the color of the iris. With prolonged use of this drug, brown pigment accumulates. Such changes may be irreversible, but it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Before starting treatment, no one can predict how the color of the eyes will change. Especially you need to be careful if you will only instill the medicine in one eye.
How to use drops?
It is necessary to bury Latanoprost only 1 time per day, it is better in the afternoon. The recommended dosage should not be exceeded, this will only reduce the effectiveness of the drug. If, for some reason, instillation was missed, then the next day you do not need to drip a double rate.
The drug "Latanoprost" (analogues also) should not be mixed with other eye drops. If another drug is prescribed, then between the instillations of different drops there should be a time interval of at least 5 minutes. The doctor should warn the patient about this. Some drugs are incompatible with Latanoprost, so only a specialist can prescribe the drug. Self-medication with such medications is unacceptable.
The medicine is sold in a convenient dropper package. Even the patient himself can easily drop the right amount of medicine into his eye. Keep the drug away from direct sunlight in a cool place, but not in the refrigerator. It is also impossible to freeze a medicine, since it will lose its properties. Store opened packaging at a temperature of +2 to +8 degrees for a month, then you can no longer use the product.
Analogs
To the preparation "Latanoprost" the instructions for use do not indicate analogues. Nevertheless, they are abundant. The active substance that carries out the main effect will be the same. Only the optional components are different. Also, similar drugs can vary in price, which allows patients to choose a more suitable option.
Reviews of patients taking similar drugs are mostly positive, because, due to the identical active substance, the therapeutic effect of the drugs is the same. Those who did not suit one or another analogue often had heart problems or their cases suited other contraindications indicated in the instructions.
For the drug "Latanoprost" analogues are as follows:
- Glaumax. But this drug has a wider list of side effects. It can cause increased lacrimation during use and photophobia for a short period of time. Also, this remedy can provoke an attack of angina pectoris, therefore, for the elderly and those having problems with the cardiovascular system, Glaumax is not prescribed.
- Ksalatan is the Turkish counterpart of the Belarusian packaging. "Latanoprost" or "Xalatan" is prescribed for irregular intraocular pressure. This drug has one positive side effect - it improves the condition of the eyelashes. From its use, eyelashes begin to grow more magnificent, become longer. In this regard, people can use it in order to achieve a cosmetic effect, without having problems with the eyes. This is evidenced by numerous reviews. But keep in mind - sometimes eyelashes change the direction of growth, which causes irritation in the eyes, and they begin to itch constantly. The use of any chemical preparation must be agreed with the doctor in order to avoid negative effects on health.
- Glauprost is also an analogue of Latanoprost. The effect on the body, as well as the degree of decrease in intraocular pressure, are the same for them. But when using Glauprost, negative side effects from the upper respiratory tract are noted. Infectious diseases, exacerbations of lung pathologies are possible, there is an increase in colds, flu. Patients with weak lungs, often suffering from colds, try to prescribe another drug from this series.
Drug Reviews
Among doctors, the drug "Latanoprost" is popular. It is recognized as an effective tool worldwide, is included in the list of essential medicines compiled by the World Health Organization. Its medicinal capabilities make it possible to cope with unstable intraocular pressure, thereby protecting the eyes from the possible development of glaucoma. The drug is tolerated well, even in old age, side effects do not bring much discomfort.
This drug has received positive reviews from patients. They indicate ease of use, instillation is done only once, the release form allows you to independently carry out this procedure.
Side effects are not only Latanoprost, analogues, too. Side effects in eye drops occur in the first year of use, in the subsequent there is a decrease in their intensity.
It is necessary to deal with increased intraocular pressure, since it does not pass by itself, but only develops in glaucoma and then leads to blindness. Drops "Latanoprost" can save vision. Even if there are no symptoms, after 40 years it is necessary to visit an ophthalmologist to prevent age-related changes. Regular measurement of intraocular pressure will allow you to recognize the disease at the very beginning, when the pathology is much easier to cure.