FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Latanoprost Ophthalmic

Latanoprost ophthalmic solution lowers elevated eye pressure in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Brand names XalatanXelprosIyuzeh
Drug class ⓘ Prostaglandin Analog
Rx Form 1 Routes Ophthalmic · Ophthalmic; Topical · Ophthalmic, Topical
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 20 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveJul 30, 2024
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ20
AvailabilityRx
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ1996
FDA-listed product records ⓘ47
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Sep 28, 2026
⭐ Latanoprost Ophthalmic at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Latanoprost ophthalmic solution is an effective once-daily evening eye drop for lowering high eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Be aware that it can permanently darken your eye color and should not be combined with other prostaglandin eye drops. Use it consistently, protect your contact lenses, and report any eye pain or vision changes to your doctor promptly.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Latanoprost Ophthalmic: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Latanoprost Ophthalmic — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Latanoprost ophthalmic solution is used to lower elevated eye pressure in adults. It is approved for:

  • Open-angle glaucoma — the most common form of glaucoma, where fluid drainage from the eye is impaired
  • Ocular hypertension — elevated pressure inside the eye that can increase the risk of glaucoma and optic nerve damage
⚙️How it works▾

Latanoprost belongs to a class of medications called prostaglandin F2α analogues. It works by increasing the flow of fluid (aqueous humor) out of the eye through a route called the uveoscleral outflow pathway. By improving drainage, it lowers the pressure inside the eye — which helps protect the optic nerve from damage. Elevated eye pressure is one of the leading risk factors for glaucoma-related vision loss.

💊How it's taken▾

Latanoprost ophthalmic solution is applied as eye drops, once each evening. Using it more than once a day is not recommended — it can actually reduce effectiveness or raise eye pressure rather than lower it.

  • Apply one drop into the affected eye or eyes each evening
  • If you miss a dose, resume with your next scheduled dose — do not apply extra drops to make up for a missed one
  • Remove contact lenses before applying drops; you can reinsert them 15 minutes later
  • If using Iyuzeh single-use units, open one unit just before use and discard any remaining solution immediately after — do not store opened units
🤒Side effects — in detail▾

The most commonly reported side effects affect the eye and include:

  • Foreign body sensation (gritty feeling in the eye)
  • Burning or stinging after application
  • Blurred vision
  • Red or pink eye (conjunctival hyperemia)
  • Itching
  • Small surface damage to the cornea (punctate keratitis)
  • Gradual darkening of iris (eye) color
  • Eyelash changes: longer, thicker, darker, or more numerous lashes
  • Excessive tearing, eye pain, or eyelid discomfort (less common)

Contact your doctor if you develop eye pain or inflammation, sudden vision changes, or any signs of serious skin or breathing reactions — these can be serious and need prompt evaluation.

⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
  • Permanent iris color change: Latanoprost can gradually make the iris (colored part of the eye) more brown. This change is likely permanent — even after stopping the medication. If you notice a change in eye color, tell your doctor but do not stop using the drops without guidance.
  • Eyelid and eyelash changes: The skin around the eye may darken, and eyelashes may become longer, thicker, or grow in abnormal directions. These changes are often reversible after stopping the medication.
  • Eye inflammation: Use with caution if you have a history of iritis or uveitis (eye inflammation); avoid during active inflammation.
  • Macular edema: There is a risk of swelling in the center of the retina, especially in people who have had certain types of eye surgery or lens removal.
  • Herpes eye infection: Latanoprost can reactivate herpes simplex keratitis (a viral eye infection). Avoid it during active infection and use caution if you have a prior history.
  • Contact lens wearers: This product contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Always remove lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before reinserting.
🔀What it interacts with▾

There are a few important interactions to be aware of with latanoprost ophthalmic solution:

  • Other prostaglandin eye drops: Using two or more prostaglandin medicines together is not recommended — it can reduce how well they work or even raise eye pressure
  • Thimerosal-containing eye drops: Mixing with drops that contain thimerosal (a preservative) can cause a physical reaction (precipitation); use them at least 5 minutes apart
  • Other topical eye medications: Allow at least 5 minutes between each eye drop product to prevent dilution or interaction

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it▾
  • Do not use if you are allergic to latanoprost, benzalkonium chloride, or any other ingredient in the product
  • Tell your doctor if you have a history of eye inflammation (iritis or uveitis) — active inflammation is a reason to avoid this medication
  • Tell your doctor if you have ever had a herpes simplex eye infection — latanoprost can trigger a recurrence
  • Tell your doctor if you have had cataract surgery, are missing your natural lens (aphakia), or have a damaged lens capsule — risk of macular edema is increased
  • Pregnancy: Animal studies showed birth defects and pregnancy loss at high IV doses; no adequate human data exist. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor
  • Breastfeeding: It is unknown whether latanoprost passes into breast milk; use with caution and discuss with your doctor
  • Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients
  • Older adults: No significant differences in safety or effectiveness compared to younger adults have been observed
🚑If you take too much▾

Accidentally using too many drops is unlikely to cause serious harm based on available data, but if a large amount is ingested or enters the body, symptoms may include abdominal pain, dizziness, fatigue, hot flushes, nausea, and sweating. If you suspect an overdose, contact your doctor or a poison control center and treat symptoms as they arise.

📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body▾

Latanoprost begins lowering intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye) about 3 to 4 hours after it is applied. The maximum pressure-lowering effect is reached 8 to 12 hours after administration. A single evening dose keeps pressure reduced for at least 24 hours, which is why it is dosed just once daily.

🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾

When applied to the eye, latanoprost is absorbed through the cornea, where it is converted from a prodrug (inactive form) into its active form. Peak levels in the fluid inside the eye are reached about 2 hours after application. Any drug that reaches the bloodstream is quickly broken down by the liver, with a half-life in plasma of only about 17 minutes. The breakdown products are primarily eliminated through the urine.

📦How to store it▾

Store unopened bottle under refrigeration at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F). stored at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) for 6 weeks. Protect from light.

📄 Written from Latanoprost Ophthalmic’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Latanoprost Ophthalmic — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

Why do I have to use this at night? Can I use it in the morning instead? ▾
The evening timing is the recommended dosing schedule from clinical studies, and it's important to stick with it consistently. Using it at the same time every evening helps keep your eye pressure controlled for the full 24-hour period. If you have a reason you'd prefer a different time, talk to your prescriber — but don't change the timing on your own.
Will my eye color really change? Is that permanent? ▾
Yes, this is a real and well-documented effect of latanoprost. Over months to years, the iris (colored part of your eye) can gradually become more brown due to increased pigment. This color change is likely permanent, even if you stop using the drops. It doesn't affect your vision, but it's worth knowing about — especially if you're only using it in one eye, since that eye may end up looking different from the other.
My eyelashes look longer and thicker. Is that from these drops? ▾
Yes, that's a known side effect of latanoprost. Your lashes may grow longer, thicker, darker, or even grow in new directions. The good news is that these eyelash changes are usually reversible when the medication is stopped, unlike the iris color change. If the lash growth is bothering you or causing any irritation, mention it to your eye doctor.
I wear contact lenses — do I need to do anything special? ▾
Yes, and this is important. Latanoprost contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses, which can irritate your eyes. Always take your contacts out before putting in the drops, and don't put them back in for at least 15 minutes afterward. Make this part of your evening routine.
Can I use other eye drops at the same time as latanoprost? ▾
You can use other eye drops if your doctor has prescribed them, but don't mix them at the same time. Wait at least 5 minutes between each different eye drop to make sure each one works properly and you don't wash one out with another. One important rule: don't combine latanoprost with other prostaglandin-type eye drops — using two together can actually reduce effectiveness or raise your eye pressure instead of lowering it.
Is it okay to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? ▾
This is a question to discuss with your doctor before continuing the medication. Animal studies at high doses showed potential risks to the fetus, and there isn't enough human data to say it's fully safe during pregnancy. For breastfeeding, it's not yet known whether the medication passes into breast milk. Your doctor can help you weigh the benefits of controlling your eye pressure against any potential risks.
Is Latanoprost Ophthalmic available over the counter? ▾
Latanoprost Ophthalmic is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.
When was Latanoprost Ophthalmic first available? ▾
Latanoprost Ophthalmic has been available in the United States since at least 1996, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
Who makes Latanoprost Ophthalmic? ▾
Latanoprost Ophthalmic is supplied by 22 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., A-S Medication Solutions, Aurobindo Pharma Limited.

💬 Answers drafted from Latanoprost Ophthalmic’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerLatanoprost Ophthalmic vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Latanoprost Ophthalmic NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

💊 How Latanoprost Ophthalmic comes

Latanoprost Ophthalmic is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Eye drops

In the eye · On the skin
Brands Iyuzeh Xalatan Xelpros
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Reduces elevated intraocular pressure in adults with open-angle glaucoma
  • Reduces elevated intraocular pressure in adults with ocular hypertension
Important instructions
  • Iyuzeh: Use one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening; do not exceed once-daily dosing
  • Iyuzeh: Remove contact lenses before applying and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them
  • Iyuzeh: Each single-use unit should be used immediately after opening and any remaining solution discarded — do not save for later
  • If using other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between each medication
Available strengths 2 strengths
0.05 mg/mL 50 mcg/mL
47 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

📊 Latanoprost Ophthalmic across the U.S. market

How Latanoprost Ophthalmic appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
22
Manufacturers
5
Brand names
47
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1996
First marketed ⓘ
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.13%
A-S Medication Solutions9%
Aurobindo Pharma Limited6%
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.6%
Somerset Therapeutics, LLC6%
Sandoz Inc6%
Other makers53%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Latanoprost Ophthalmic is used

A general measure of how commonly Latanoprost Ophthalmic is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Latanoprost Ophthalmic is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

879,118
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$13.3M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Latanoprost Ophthalmic prescribed? Of the 1,597 medications we measure, Latanoprost Ophthalmic ranks #190 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 88% of them.

Where Latanoprost Ophthalmic ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #190 of 1,597
#185 Linaclotide 914,996 Rx #186 Iron Sucrose Injection 913,265 Rx #187 Allopurinol 901,974 Rx #188 Ondansetron Injection 901,061 Rx #189 Budesonide Oral Inhala... 893,664 Rx #190 Latanoprost Ophthalmic 879,118 Rx #191 Ceftriaxone Injection 875,273 Rx #192 Tacrolimus 862,723 Rx #193 Cyproheptadine 854,560 Rx #194 Meclizine 846,276 Rx #195 Erythromycin Ophthalmi... 841,932 Rx

Utilization by Latanoprost Ophthalmic product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

latanoprost 0.05 MG/ML Ophthalmic Solution

879,118 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 100% of Latanoprost Ophthalmic prescriptions shown $13.3M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $15 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 11 of 27 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 314072

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Latanoprost Ophthalmic, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 11 of 27 listed Latanoprost Ophthalmic NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Latanoprost Ophthalmic products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Latanoprost Ophthalmic — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 47 of 47 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 47 Latanoprost Ophthalmic NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Latanoprost Ophthalmic RxCUI 43611 2 dose forms · 2 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Solution RxCUI 377441 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.05 MG/ML RxCUI 314072
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Suspension RxCUI 2056742 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.05 MG/ML RxCUI 2056743

Look up RxCUI 43611 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

Xalatan Xelpros Iyuzeh

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 6 A-S Medication Solutions 4 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 3 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 3 Somerset Therapeutics, LLC 3 Sandoz Inc 3 Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. 3 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated 3 Lifestar Pharma LLC 2 Greenstone LLC 2 Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc 2 Proficient Rx LP 2 Thea Pharma Inc. 2 Micro Labs Limited 1 Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. 1 NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc 1 Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1 Sagent Pharmaceuticals 1 Gland Pharma Limited 1 Direct Rx 1 Viatris Specialty LLC 1

RxNorm drug class

Latanoprost Ophthalmic belongs to the Prostaglandin Analog class.

Pharmacologic class Prostaglandin Analog
Drug family (ATC) Prostaglandin analogues

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Jul 30, 2024
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Latanoprost Ophthalmic.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Latanoprost Ophthalmic after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
20
NDC products indexed
47
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
22
Linked representative label ⓘ
Thea Pharma Inc.
Linked label effective
Jul 30, 2024
Composite sections available
23
Linked SPL Set ID
192fc081-cc38-4e83-b779-9592e060b915
Linked SPL Document ID
1e77daf5-a752-172c-e063-6394a90a8a4d
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 20 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Thea Pharma Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.