Xalatan (Latanoprost) Guide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Storage & UK Advice

If you typed Xalatan into search because you’re staring at a little bottle wondering how to use it, whether it’s safe, or where to find the official leaflet fast, you’re in the right place. I’ll keep this practical and UK-friendly: what it is, how to put it in properly, what side effects to expect (and which ones aren’t negotiable), how to store it at home or when travelling, and how it compares to the generic latanoprost your GP or optometrist might actually prescribe. Expect clear steps and no fluff.

The short version: Xalatan is the original brand name for latanoprost eye drops, a once‑daily treatment to lower eye pressure in open‑angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It’s prescription‑only, it works by improving fluid outflow from the eye, and it’s one of the most effective first‑line options. The details matter though-especially timing, drop technique, contact lenses, and storage-so let’s get that right.

Find the exact Xalatan info you need (fast)

First job: confirm you’re looking at the correct medicine, and pull up the official patient leaflet and professional summary. That’s where dosing, warnings, and storage live, all in one place.

What Xalatan is (and isn’t):

• Active ingredient: latanoprost 50 micrograms/mL (0.005%).
• What it treats: raised eye pressure in open‑angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
• How it works: prostaglandin analogue that increases uveoscleral outflow, lowering intraocular pressure (IOP).
• What it isn’t: It’s not for sudden angle‑closure attacks. If you’ve got severe eye pain, headache, nausea, halos around lights, and a red eye-seek urgent care.

How to get the official leaflet (UK, no links needed):

1. Search “NHS Medicines A-Z latanoprost”. Open the latanoprost page. This gives a plain‑English overview, typical side effects, and practical advice. (NHS pages are updated regularly; check the update date at the bottom.)
2. Search “emc Xalatan SmPC”. On the electronic Medicines Compendium, open the Xalatan page and choose Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for the user‑friendly version, or Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for clinician‑level detail. Check the “last updated” date.
3. If your bottle label doesn’t say Xalatan but just “latanoprost”, repeat step 2 with “latanoprost SmPC PIL”. Many UK packs are generic but contain the same drug.

Quick label checklist (grab the box/bottle):

• Name matches latanoprost 0.005%.
• Preservative listed (often benzalkonium chloride). If you’re sensitive, ask about preservative‑free (PF) single‑dose latanoprost.
• Expiry date clear and in the future. Write your “date opened” on the box-most bottles are 4 weeks after opening.
• Storage instructions: many brands say refrigerate unopened, then room temp after opening. Follow your exact pack’s directions.

Who should be using it:

• Adults with open‑angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, as diagnosed by an optometrist/ophthalmologist/GP.
• Children can be prescribed latanoprost under specialist advice.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: only if the potential benefit outweighs risk-discuss with your clinician first.

Credibility anchor (so you know this isn’t guesswork): These points align with the NHS Medicines A-Z entry for latanoprost (2024), the UK SmPC for Xalatan/latanoprost (MHRA‑approved, check latest date), the British National Formulary guidance (BNF, 2025 update), and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern on POAG (latest revision).

How fast it works: pressure lowering starts within hours, peaks around 8-12 hours, and stabilises over several weeks. Don’t judge it after one night. Your optometrist/clinic will recheck eye pressure usually after 4-6 weeks.

How to report side effects in the UK: search “MHRA Yellow Card” and complete an online report. It’s straightforward and helps safety monitoring.

Use it right: dosing, technique, safety, storage, and what to expect

If you only remember one thing about latanoprost dosing, make it this: once daily at night. More is not better-it can actually make it less effective.

Dose and timing:

• Typical dose: 1 drop in the affected eye(s) once each evening. Stick to the same time nightly.
• Don’t double‑dose if you forget. If you miss a night, apply the usual single drop the next evening.
• Using more than once daily can blunt the pressure‑lowering effect. Keep it to one drop per eye per night.

How to put the drops in (no faff, fewer stings):

1. Wash and dry hands. Shake is not required-this is a solution, not a suspension.
2. Remove contact lenses. Soft lenses absorb preservatives; wait 15 minutes before putting them back.
3. Tilt head back, pull down the lower lid to make a small pocket.
4. Hold the bottle tip close but don’t let it touch the eye or lashes. Squeeze one drop into the pocket.
5. Close your eye gently and press the inner corner (near the nose) for a full minute. This “punctal occlusion” reduces drainage into your bloodstream and limits side effects.
6. If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5-10 minutes before the next one.

Side effects you might notice (and what to do about them):

• Common early: mild eye redness, stinging, itching, watering, dry eye sensation. Often settles after a week or two.
• Lashes: they may grow longer, darker, or more numerous. Some people like this; if not, discuss alternatives.
• Iris colour change: brown pigment can increase gradually, especially if your eyes are green‑brown, hazel, or blue‑brown. This tends to be permanent in the treated eye.
• Eyelid/skin changes: darker skin around the eye, or a “hollowed” look (periorbital fat atrophy). This can develop over months. If it bothers you, talk to your clinician-switching drug or stopping can help, though fat changes may not fully reverse.
• Less common but important: eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision that doesn’t clear, swelling, a history of herpetic keratitis flaring up, or signs of inflammation. Call your clinic.

When to get urgent help:

• Sudden severe eye pain, headache, vomiting, halos around lights, or rapid vision loss-these are red flags for acute problems.
• New flashes/floaters with a curtain over part of your vision-retinal symptoms need urgent assessment.

Who needs extra caution:

• Aphakia or pseudophakia with a torn posterior capsule (post‑cataract): risk of cystoid macular oedema is higher. Ophthalmology teams often pause prostaglandin drops around cataract surgery; follow your surgeon’s plan.
• Active eye inflammation (uveitis/iritis) or history of herpetic keratitis: prostaglandins can sometimes aggravate inflammation; specialist input is essential.
• Severe asthma: very rare respiratory effects have been reported-discuss if you notice any breathing changes.

Interactions and combinations:

• Don’t use two prostaglandin drops at once (e.g., latanoprost plus bimatoprost) unless a specialist specifically says so; it can paradoxically raise IOP.
• If another drop contains thimerosal or other preservatives, leave at least 5 minutes between drops to avoid precipitation/irritation.
• Combination therapy is common but planned: timolol, brimonidine, or dorzolamide can be added if single‑agent control isn’t enough. There’s also fixed‑dose latanoprost/timolol if you need fewer bottles.

Driving and daily life:

• Vision can blur briefly after a drop-don’t drive until it clears.
• If glaucoma affects both eyes and you’re worried about your visual field for driving, ask your optometrist about DVLA standards and whether you need to declare. Most people on drops meet the standards just fine, but it’s worth checking.

Storage and expiry (this trips people up):

• Unopened: many UK brands advise refrigeration (2-8°C). Keep it in the fridge unless your specific pack says room temperature is fine.
• After opening: usually store below 25°C, out of direct light. Do not freeze.
• Discard date: typically 4 weeks after opening due to contamination risk-even if there’s liquid left. Write the open date on the box.
• Travelling: if it must be kept cold before opening, use a small insulated pouch with a cool pack. Don’t let it sit against ice; keep it chilled, not frozen. Once opened, room temp is usually fine within the stated limits.

How you’ll know it’s working:

• You won’t “feel” lower pressure. Improvement is measured in clinic with tonometry.
• Most see a meaningful IOP drop in weeks, but your clinician will set the follow‑up timing. Don’t stop early because the eye “feels fine”.

Evidence pointers: The BNF (2025) lists latanoprost as first‑line for ocular hypertension/POAG. Large trials and the AAO guidance note average IOP reductions around 25-35% from baseline with once‑nightly dosing. Head‑to‑head comparisons versus bimatoprost/travoprost show small differences-some patients do better on one agent, often balanced by redness profiles.

Costs, alternatives, switches, FAQs, and next steps

Brand vs generic in the UK:

• Generic latanoprost is widely used on the NHS and works the same as branded Xalatan for most people.
• If you react to a preservative, ask about preservative‑free (PF) unit‑dose latanoprost vials. PF can help if you have dry eye or are sensitive to benzalkonium chloride.

How you’ll usually pay:

• Prescription‑only medicine. In England, the standard NHS prescription charge applies unless you’re exempt. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, NHS prescriptions are free.
• Private prices for generic latanoprost vary by pharmacy but are generally modest; the brand is often pricier. If cost is tight, ask your prescriber for “latanoprost generic”.

Alternatives if latanoprost doesn’t suit you:

• Other prostaglandin analogues: bimatoprost, travoprost, tafluprost (PF options exist). Some lower pressure a tad more on average but may cause more redness.
• Non‑prostaglandin drops: timolol (beta‑blocker), brimonidine (alpha‑agonist), dorzolamide or brinzolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitors). These can be added or substituted.
• Laser or surgery: selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is often first‑line or second‑line now, and can reduce or even replace drops in many patients. Surgical options exist if drops/laser aren’t enough.

Which is “best” depends on your target pressure, corneal thickness, optic nerve status, side‑effect tolerance, and lifestyle. Many clinics try one prostaglandin first, review at 4-6 weeks, then switch or add based on your response.

Simple decision cues you can use:

• Red eye won’t settle after two weeks? Ask about switching to a different prostaglandin or a PF version.
• Periorbital hollowing or pigmentation changes: discuss alternative classes or PF options.
• Pressure still above target? Your clinician may add timolol/dorzolamide/brimonidine, or suggest SLT.
• Struggling with bottles or missed doses: fixed‑combination drops can reduce steps; SLT avoids daily drops.

Mini‑FAQ

• Can I use it in the morning instead? Night dosing is standard and lines up with the drug’s peak effect and side‑effect profile. If mornings are your only option, don’t change without checking-consistency matters.
• How long until I notice something? You won’t feel lower pressure, but your clinic can measure it within weeks. Stick with nightly dosing until your review.
• Will eye colour change go back to how it was? Iris darkening is usually permanent. Eyelid skin and lash changes may soften after stopping, but not always completely.
• Can I keep wearing my contact lenses? Yes-remove lenses before the drop and wait 15 minutes. If you get irritation, ask about PF latanoprost.
• Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding? Only if the benefits are judged to outweigh risks. The BNF advises caution; talk to your prescriber.
• What if the bottle tip touches my eye? Don’t panic. Close it, wash your hands, and avoid using if the tip looks contaminated. If in doubt, replace the bottle and let your pharmacy know.
• Can I stop once my pressure is normal? No-glaucoma control needs steady treatment unless your clinician changes the plan (for example after SLT). Stopping can allow damage to progress silently.

Next steps and troubleshooting

• If you’ve just been prescribed it: set a nightly reminder on your phone. First follow‑up is usually in 4-6 weeks to check pressure and side effects.
• If you keep missing doses: try placing the bottle next to your toothbrush or night cream, or switch to a fixed‑combination or consider SLT after discussing with your clinician.
• If your eye is persistently red or sore: it’s common for a week or two. If it persists or is painful, or vision is affected, contact your clinic. Take a photo daily-useful for your appointment.
• If you wear contacts and get irritation: consider PF latanoprost or wear glasses in the evenings to space lenses and drops properly.
• If you’re having cataract surgery soon: ask your surgeon about when to pause/restart. Many ask patients to stop prostaglandins a week before and for a period after, depending on risks.
• If you lose or spill the bottle: your community pharmacy may be able to arrange an emergency supply, or call your GP practice. Don’t go without for weeks.
• If you think you had a side effect worth reporting: search “MHRA Yellow Card” and submit-keep your batch number from the box if you can.
• If storage instructions confuse you: follow your exact pack. As a rule, many brands are fridge‑stored unopened and room temp after opening for 4 weeks, but check your label.

One last nudge: glaucoma damage creeps up quietly. Drops like latanoprost are simple, but they only work if they actually reach your eye every night. Nail the routine, keep your reviews, and don’t be shy about asking for a switch if the side effects aren’t livable-there are options.

References you can trust (no links here; search titles): NHS Medicines A-Z: Latanoprost (2024 update); UK SmPC and PIL for Xalatan/Latanoprost (MHRA‑approved, check latest revision); British National Formulary (BNF) 2025; American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern for Primary Open‑Angle Glaucoma.