"Xalatan" eye drops contain an active substance - latanoprost. This drug belongs to the pharmacotherapeutic group of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes and their antagonists.
"Xalatan" eye drops, being in structure an analogue of prostaglandin F2alpha, have an anti-glaucoma effect. With the help of this drug, an increase in the outflow of aqueous humor is achieved, thereby reducing intraocular pressure. Xalatan eye drops do not alter the synthesis of aqueous humor and do not affect the blood-ophthalmic barrier. Perhaps a slight change in the size of the pupil. Within 3 hours after instillation of “Xalatan” a decrease in intraocular pressure is observed, reaching its maximum effect after 12 hours. Increasing uveoscleral outflow, do not affect its formation.
Latanoprost is an isopropyl ether (inactive precursor) that penetrates well through the cornea, where it is hydrolyzed to a biologically active substance. Metabolism is not in the tissues of the eye, but in the liver. Its metabolites are not active, excreted in the urine from the body.
"Xalatan" eye drops are indicated for use in open-angle glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure. Their use is contraindicated in the presence of hypersensitivity. In addition, caution should be prescribed during pregnancy and lactation, as well as children. This drug does not increase the incidence of birth defects. It is prescribed during pregnancy if the risk to the mother or fetus is less than the potential benefits of its use. During lactation, it is necessary to take into account the fact that both the active form and metabolites penetrate into breast milk.
Means "Xalatan" (the instruction recommends) to instill 1 time, in the evening, 1 drop in a conjunctival sac. It should be noted that its effectiveness decreases with more frequent use. If you need to instill other drops, then you need to enter them with an interval of at least 5 minutes.
Despite the fact that the drug “Xalatan” receives good reviews, it can cause the following side effects: conjunctival hyperemia, which may be minor or moderate, macular edema (most often occurs in patients with artifact or aphakia - with the lens located in the anterior chamber ), transient epithelial erosion of a point nature, a sensation in the eye of a foreign body, increased pigmentation in the iris (due to stimulation of melanin synthesis), the appearance of eye heterochromia, a skin rash is possible.
The use of this drug causes a change in eye color by the accumulation of brown pigment in the iris. This effect occurs most often and is most pronounced in patients with its mixed color (for example, gray-brown or blue-brown), which is explained by the accumulation of melanin. Pigmentation usually spreads from the center to the periphery of the iris. If an intense color change occurs, therapy should be discontinued. After 2 years of using the drug, a color change of evenly colored eyes does not occur. Please note that the resulting change in eye color may be irreversible, therefore, it is necessary to warn patients about a possible effect.
The content of benzalkonium chloride in these eye drops necessitates the removal of lenses before use, since this substance is absorbed by them. They can be inserted back only after 15 minutes after instillation. In addition, it is important to consider: against the background of the use of this drug, the appearance of “veils before the eyes” is possible, which requires extreme caution when driving.