Latanoprost
Also known as: Xalatan, Monopost
What it's for
Latanoprost lowers pressure inside your eye. It treats glaucoma and ocular hypertension to prevent damage to your optic nerve and preserve your vision.
Comes as: Eye drops
How to take it
- Adults: Usually 1 drop in affected eye(s) once daily in the evening.
- Use at the same time each evening.
- Only 1 drop - more is not better and may reduce effectiveness.
- Wait at least 5 minutes between different eye drops.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Red eyes or eye irritation
- Darkening of the iris (coloured part of eye) - permanent
- Longer, darker, thicker eyelashes
- Darkening of skin around the eye
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- May permanently change your eye colour (usually only if one eye treated)
- Wipe off any drops that get on your skin
- Remove contact lenses before use - wait 15 minutes before reinserting
- Store in the fridge before opening, then at room temperature
Get medical help urgently if…
- You have sudden vision loss or changes
- You have severe eye pain
- You have signs of eye infection
- You have swelling of your eyelids
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.