how does this medication work? what will it do for me?

this is a combination product containing two different medications: latanoprost and timolol. latanoprost belongs to a class of medications called prostaglandin analogs. it works to reduce the pressure in the eye by allowing fluid in the eye to flow better. timolol belongs to a class of medications called beta-adrenergic receptor blockers (also known as "beta-blockers"). it works to reduce the pressure in the eye by reducing the amount of fluid produced in the eye. latanoprost - timolol solution is available in an eye-drop form. it is used to reduce the pressure inside the eye for people with open-angle glaucoma or intraocular hypertension (increased pressure in the eye).

this medication is intended to be used by people with chronic open-angle glaucoma or by people with ocular hypertension who do not get a complete response to treatment with only one medication and are considered appropriate candidates for combination therapy. the combined effect of these two medications results in a larger decrease in pressure compared to either medication alone. however, this medication is not to be used as initial treatment.

fluid is constantly being formed and drained out of the eye. when this fluid does not drain out of the eye properly, pressure inside the eye increases. latanoprost - timolol works by reducing the amount of fluid produced by the eye and by increasing the flow of fluid out of the eye.

this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.

do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

what form(s) does this medication come in?

apo-latanoprost | apotex incorporated

50 µg/ml
each ml of a sterile, isotonic, buffered aqueous solution, for topical ophthalmic administration contains 50 µg of latanoprost. one drop contains approximately 1.5 µg of latanoprost. nonmedicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride as a preservative, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, and water for injection.

how should i use this medication?

the recommended dose of latanoprost is 1 drop to the affected eye(s) once daily, preferably in the evening. this medication should not be used more than once a day.

ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you the correct way to instill the eye drops. this medication is for external use only. do not allow the dropper tip of the bottle to touch your eye or other surrounding structures, because this could contaminate the tip with common bacteria known to cause eye infections. serious damage to the eye may result if you use eye drop solutions that have become contaminated.

remove contact lenses before putting the drops in your eye(s). they may be reinserted 15 minutes after you have put latanoprost eye drops in your eye.

latanoprost eye drops may be used with other eye medications intended to reduce pressure inside the eye. if more than one type of eye drop is being applied, use the medications at least 5 minutes apart.

many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

it is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

before opening, keep the container of eye drops in the fridge, out of direct light. once the bottle has been opened, keep the eye drops at room temperature. latanoprost eye drops must be used within 6 weeks after opening the container.

store this medication out of reach of children.

do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

who should not take this medication?

do not use latanoprost - timolol eye drops if you:

  • are allergic to latanoprost, timolol, benzalkonium chloride, or any ingredients of the medication
  • have asthma or have had asthma in the past
  • have any of certain heart diseases or conditions:
    • cardiogenic shock (heart cannot provide enough oxygen to the body)
    • second-degree or third-degree atrioventricular (av) block (electrical problems)
    • sinus bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
    • uncontrolled heart failure (heart cannot pump effectively)
  • have severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd; e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis)

what side effects are possible with this medication?

many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

  • dry mouth
  • dryness of eye
  • feeling of something in the eye
  • headache
  • irritation, burning, or stinging of the eye when medication is applied
  • itching eyes
  • loss of appetite
  • redness of the eyelid
  • temporary blurred vision after putting in the eye drop
  • temporary eye redness
  • watery eye

although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

  • anxiety
  • blurred vision
  • confusion
  • darkening of eyelid skin colour
  • difficulty sleeping
  • disorientation
  • dizziness
  • fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
  • flu or cold-like symptoms (e.g., sinus pain and inflammation, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue)  
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
  • increased brown colour in coloured part (iris) of eye
  • increased tearing
  • longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes
  • muscle or joint pain
  • muscle weakness
  • nervousness
  • prolonged blurred vision or other change in vision
  • skin rash
  • swelling, irritation, or inflammation of the eye or eyelid
  • symptoms of asthma (e.g., wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath)
  • symptoms of high or low blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour, cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, weakness)

stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

  • angina pectoris or other chest pain
  • symptoms of an allergic reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing, hives, itchy skin rash, or swelling of the mouth and throat)

some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.

allergy: if you are allergic to other prostaglandin analogues or beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication with your doctor.

asthma and respiratory disease: although this medication is intended to be used as a topical (surface only) treatment for the eyes, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect breathing if you have a history of breathing problems or difficulty breathing. if you have asthma or another respiratory condition, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

choroidal detachment: if you have chronic or recurrent choroidal detachment, talk to your doctor about further use of the eye drops.

contact lenses: contact lenses should be removed before latanoprost - timolol eye drops are applied and should not be reinserted for 15 minutes after application of the drops.

diabetes: although this medication is intended to be used as a topical treatment for the eyes, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect blood sugar control if you have diabetes. if you have diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. you may need to test your blood sugar more often while you are using this medication.

drowsiness/reduced alertness: this medication may cause drowsiness and temporary blurring of your vision. do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in any potentially hazardous activities until you determine how this medication affects you.

eye changes: latanoprost may gradually change the colour of the eye, increasing the amount of brown pigment in the iris (coloured part of the eye). the long-term effects on the eye and the chances of injury to the eye are currently unknown. the change in colour may be permanent and occurs slowly, and may not be noticeable for several months or years. latanoprost has also been reported to cause darkening, thickening, and lengthening of eyelashes. talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

eye conditions: if you have frequent or chronic inflammation of the eye, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

heart disease: although this medication is intended to be used as a treatment applied directly to the eyes, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and have an effect on heart disease or circulation problems such as raynaud's disease. if you have heart disease or circulation problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

kidney or liver disease: if you have decreased kidney or liver function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

myasthenia gravis: if you have myasthenia gravis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

surgery: it is important to let all health care professionals involved in your care know that you are using this medication, particularly if you are scheduled to have surgery.

thimerosal: any eye medication (e.g., eye drops or contact lens solution) containing thimerosal should not be used within 5 minutes before or after using latanoprost, as solid particles may develop as a result of the two medications mixing together.

thyroid disease: if you have thyroid disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

pregnancy: this medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

breast-feeding: latanoprost may pass into breast milk. timolol passes into breast milk. if you are breast-feeding and are taking latanoprost - timolol, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

children: the safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

what other drugs could interact with this medication?

there may be an interaction between latanoprost - timolol and any of the following:

  • acetazolamide
  • alpha-agonists (e.g., clonidine, methyldopa)
  • alpha-blockers (e.g., alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin)
  • antiarrhythmic medications (e.g., amiodarone, dronedarone, disopyramide,  propafenone, quinidine, sotalol)
  • anti-psychotics (phenothiazine class; e.g., chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, methotrimeprazine, thioridazine)
  • beta-adrenergic blockers in eye-drop or tablet form (e.g., betaxolol, levobunolol, timolol, propranolol)
  • beta-2 agonists (e.g., salbutamol, formoterol, salmeterol, terbutaline)
  • bethanechol
  • bimatoprost
  • brimonidine
  • bupropion
  • calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine, diltiazem, verapamil, amlodipine)
  • celecoxib
  • digoxin
  • dipyridamole
  • diuretics (e.g., amiloride, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
  • donepezil
  • epinephrine
  • ergot alkaloids (e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine)
  • fingolimod
  • galantamine
  • grass pollen extract
  • guanfacine
  • insulin
  • ivabradine
  • lanreotide
  • mefloquine
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen)
  • opiate medications (e.g., codeine, hydrocodone, morphine)
  • octreotide
  • ozanimod
  • pasireotide
  • pilocarpine
  • rivastigmine
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssri; e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)
  • siponimod
  • sulfonylureas (e.g., gliclazide, glyburide)
  • theophylline
  • tizanidine
  • tofactitinb

if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

  • stop taking one of the medications,
  • change one of the medications to another,
  • change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
  • leave everything as is.

an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/apo-latanoprost-timop