How to Use Latanoprost Ophthalmic Solution 0.005%
Instill one drop of latanoprost 0.005% in each affected eye once daily in the evening. 1
Dosing Instructions
- Timing: Administer the medication once daily in the evening for optimal IOP reduction 1
- Dosage: Use exactly one drop (1.5 μg) per affected eye 1
- Missed dose: If you miss a dose, simply continue with the next scheduled dose—do not double up 1
Critical Administration Guidelines
Never exceed once-daily dosing. Using latanoprost more than once per day can paradoxically decrease its effectiveness or even increase your intraocular pressure 1. This is a common pitfall that must be avoided.
If using multiple eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between different medications to prevent washout and ensure proper absorption 2, 3, 1. This spacing is essential for maintaining the therapeutic effect of each medication.
Expected Timeline of Effect
- Onset: IOP reduction begins approximately 3-4 hours after administration 1
- Peak effect: Maximum IOP lowering occurs 8-12 hours after instillation 1
- Duration: The effect lasts 20-24 hours, supporting once-daily dosing 4, 5
Efficacy and Position in Treatment
Latanoprost is recommended as a first-line medication for glaucoma and ocular hypertension by the American Academy of Ophthalmology due to its superior efficacy among prostaglandin analogs 6. In clinical trials, latanoprost reduced IOP by 22-39% over 1-12 months of treatment 4, with an average reduction of 8.5 mmHg from baseline 2.
Important Warnings and Side Effects
Iris color change: Latanoprost can cause permanent darkening of the iris in approximately 30% of patients, particularly those with mixed-colored eyes 7. This typically occurs after 3-4 months of treatment 5. You should be aware of this permanent cosmetic change before starting treatment.
Mild conjunctival redness occurs in 3-15% of patients but rarely requires discontinuation 4.
Systemic side effects are minimal, unlike beta-blockers such as timolol, making latanoprost safer for patients with cardiac or pulmonary conditions 4, 5.
Combination Therapy Considerations
If your glaucoma requires multiple medications, latanoprost can be safely combined with other agents. The fixed combination of latanoprost plus timolol provides better IOP reduction than either medication alone 6, 3. When adding dorzolamide to latanoprost, expect an additional 5.6% IOP reduction due to complementary mechanisms of action 2.
Special Populations
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Latanoprost has a Pregnancy Category C rating 8, 6. Most ophthalmologists avoid prostaglandins during pregnancy due to theoretical risk of premature labor, though a small case series of 11 pregnant women showed no adverse effects 8. Latanoprost may be considered during breastfeeding 8, 6.