Xalatan

Xalatan: antiglaucoma drug from Belgium

Xalatan is an antiglaucoma drug that is manufactured by several companies, including Pharmacia and Upjohn (Belgium), Pharmacia and Upjohn AB (Sweden) and Pharmacia N.V./S.A. (Belgium). It contains the active substance latanoprost and is an eye drop with a concentration of 0.005%.

Xalatan is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and increased intraocular pressure. However, there are limitations to its use, including hypersensitivity, pregnancy, lactation, childhood, active inflammatory process in the eyeball (iritis, uveitis), aphakia, pseudophakia with damage to the lens capsule, conditions accompanied by the risk of developing macular edema, angle-closure glaucoma with phenomena of inflammation or neovascularization, wearing contact lenses, liver and kidney damage.

In addition, when using Xalatan, side effects may occur, such as a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, conjunctival hyperemia, pinpoint epithelial erosion, macular edema, increased pigmentation of the iris with a change in its color, mainly in patients with mixed color of the iris and rarely in patients with uniform iris color. its color: the entire iris or parts of it acquire a more intense color; permanent heterochromia (when treating one eye), reversible enlargement of the palpebral fissure, skin rash.

Xalatan may also interact with some other medications, including beta blockers (timolol), adrenergic agonists (epinephrine dipivalil), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide), cholinomimetics (weaker), and thiomersal.

Before starting treatment with Xalatan, it is important to inform the patient about possible changes in eye color. Regular examination of iris pigmentation during treatment is recommended, as the color change develops slowly and may remain undetected for several months. In case of intense changes in pigmentation, therapy should be discontinued.

In general, Xalatan is an effective antiglaucoma agent, but its use should be under medical supervision and taking into account the limitations and possible side effects.