Latanoprost ophthalmic for Glaucoma, Open Angle User Reviews

• Mairie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

"Ended up at Optho. with high eye pressure and prescribed latanoprost. First night I had a fast heart beat. I have been fighting a strange tiredness that I barely can do anything during the day. No motivation for projects or general chores. I feel anxious most times and never did before. I have trouble catching my breath and had small trouble before but nothing like this (not a smoker). Coughing all the time. Why would an eye drop to lower pressure cause all these problems with general overall well being. I am not myself and can not live in this state of unrest and sickness. Why does it affect all these other aspects in my health? Eyes are important but so is staying healthy and being happy. I feel I will have to get off of it now to save myself from these issues"

• jazzie
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2020

"I was prescribed this a few months ago and have been experiencing terrible side effects. First is my vision seems to be strange in not focusing right. I had a small amount of floaters and now they are so many and much more often. My eyes sting and are red, even was brownish in the corner one morning that scared me. I have coughing, shortness of breath, over all tiredness and lack of motivation. I feel anxious all the time, never felt like this before unless I was ill. I am quitting this drug and taking my chances on high pressure instead. I can't believe they prescribe this to small animals that can't tell you how horrible they must feel since many are only 12 pounds whereas a person is 150 or so. They will push these drugs on anyone and anything to make a buck."

• Stephan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2019

"Prescribe Latanoprost twice. The first time experienced side effects- shortness of breath, sinus problems, flu like conditions, respiratory problems. Nuclear stress test- no heart problems. Respiratory tests-passed although I cough heavily during tests. Sinus evaluation- no problem. Allergy tests- no allergies. Only conclusion- eye drops causing conditions. Improvement in pressures with laser. When pressure in left eye increased, MD recommended Xen Stint. Improved pressure from 30 to 8. When pressure increased in left eye to 25, MD recommended eye drops. Latanoprost was prescribed. Used drops for 7 days. Pressure dropped to 15, After 3 weeks still experiencing side effects- sore throat, phlegm, shortness of breath, wheezing, prolonged coughing. Side effects from eye drops- Latanoprost, Timolol, and Alphgan P significantly decreased quality of life. If you are experiencing these side effects, could be your eye drops."

• Gorby
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2017

"After using for one month noticed cloudy vision, runny nose, sore throat, joint pain and general fatigue. Finally realized all these side effects were from the drops and stopped using them. All above mentioned side effects began to abate after 48 hours. This stuff is poison. People don’t usually think that eye drops affects anything other than eyes. They are wrong. Very wrong."

• Jon
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 8, 2019

"Latanoprost gives me pain around my eyeballs, where they meet the eye sockets, above and behind the eyes. It also has blurred my vision (impedes focus) & has increased my floaters, either physically or perceptually. It works against my slowly detaching retina; the decrease in IOP exacerbates a forward or inward drawing of my retina, like suction. This would explain the floaters, as coming from behind the retina edges. The drops do lower my IOP but the cure is worse than the disease in my case. I have stopped them for weeks at a time to deal with adverse effects, but have been persuaded to resume for fear of glaucoma blindness. There needs to be treatment of glaucoma's root cause: optic nerve deterioration. I am going off this med, to allow side effects to improve; I will then either seek alternative treatment, or a second opinion, or take my chances by leaving well enough alone."

• Jod
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2021

"I am 52 years old, great shape and on no other meds. After about 4 months being on latanoprost I realized my joints hurt, like shoulders, hips & knees (I had ACL surgery years ago). I felt so stiff and sore and couldn't figure it out. Eye Dr nurse said she never heard of that before & pharmacist said a small % showed muscle and joint pain. That has gotten a little better... but I can't tell you how fatigued I am. I have NO ENERGY TO DO ANYTHING. I could sit all day long... that's not me!! I had a hard time believing two eye drops at night would do this, until I read all these reviews. Thank you for your time, everyone. I hope mine message helps someone. I'll go back to Dr and see if another Rx is an option, just to see if I get my energy back & joints feeling better. It's a fine line between that and treating my glaucoma....(!?) My pressure went from 21/22 to 18/17, so not as low as he wanted, he may switch me for that reason."

• Happy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 14, 2019

"I have been using latanoprost for about 14 years (originally Xalatan, switched to Latanoprost when generic became available) for glaucoma . I have never had any side effects. It has kept my eye pressures at 14 and 13 the entire time."

• Wonde...
• April 13, 2018

"Pretty shocking medication. I ended up with early stage psychosis from taking this medication. I was fine on it for three months then became paranoid and highly suspicious of people to the point I started investigating people I worked with then approx 4 days later I went lost complete reality. I was begging for the hospital to section me. Within a week of coming off of this drug I was fine . I am writing this review not to tell you not to take this drug as I was fine on it for several months. I am just saying watch out for the signs and have a backup plan as far as medication goes. I actually lost a week of my life on this medication I became nearly completely unaware of my surroundings or what I was saying."

• Annie...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 12, 2018

"No 2 generics are alike. I was on the Sandoz/CibaVision brand for 8 months. No side effects. Felt fine. My pharmacy changed the brand to Rising Pharm. Within 4 weeks, I realized this drug was making me physically ill. Fatigue, joint pain, nausea, headaches, pressure behind my eyes, sinus problems, anxiety, blurred vision, dry eye. Everything on the list of side effects. I stopped taking the drops & within days the side effects greatly subsided. A medication should not do this to a person just because it's from a different pharmaceutical company. FDA should track this information. Anyway, my doctor took my off these eye drops. Considering Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)."

• Kathe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 2, 2019

"I was diagnosed with increased pressure, pre-glaucoma and I was started on latanoprost two years ago. The drops dropped my pressure into normal range. One draw back: The drops did make my eyelashes grow longer, but they also made eyelashes to grow in the inner corners of the eyes, dark hair on cheeks and chin, and "crazy eyebrow" hairs to grow. I also have PCOS with some facial hair. After being on latanoprost, the facial hair got WAY worse because of the prostagladins in the formula. If you are "blessed" with extra facial hair as a female, be sure to tell your doctor. My opthamologist switched me to another drop that does not have the hair growing side effects formula."

• Macie
• October 25, 2016

"I have been taking this eye drop for 5-6 years. When it went generic it was ok for the first few years. My pharmacist gets different generic brands-seems some brands are different than others-some burn the crap out of my eyes-One thing I will say about this drug-I have had a sore throat for the last 3 years-I continually sneeze-a lot of sinus problems- stuffy nose-sometimes even drips water like drippings when I bend over. I hate this. I have asked my eye dr. & he says-well-it should not cause a sore throat-hello -it most certainly does. I think it even causes blurred vision. I don't like these eye drops-but I don't want to go blind."

• Crimi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2022

Xelpros (latanoprost) "My eye doctor gave me two samples to use after I complained about the eye medication I was using burning my eyes and giving me headaches. Xelpros doesn't burn my eyes or cause me headaches like my last medication did. My doctor said Xelpros doesn't contain a preservative like the other one I was using and many patients like it better. When I went to pick up my first prescription from Walgreens they were charging me $200 even with my Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, which I pay close to $500 a month for. These pharmaceutical companies are criminals, fleecing people whom they have over a barrel. And our government allows it. Disgusting."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 21, 2020

"I am 70, live alone, and I hate having to open the eye drop bottles. I have to use vice grips and it is still nearly impossible. Further to that the plastic bottle is so firm it is difficult to squeeze the drop into my eye. Please change the packaging! The drops are effective but not if I can’t use them."

• Angel
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

"I had minor side affects at the beginning. Itchy eyelids, feeling like something was in them. I had cataract surgery and stents put in. Was glaucoma suspect. By three months my eyes were very tired and just didn’t look right. My face looked pale. Then I woke up one day with swollen sore lips. Turns out I had an allergic type reaction. Quit taking Latanaprost and now feel and look much better. Will never take it again."

• chanc...
• August 28, 2016

"Second time on this eye drop. First time for a few days. I stopped taking because it made me feel physically sick. Second time I gave it a go for almost 3 weeks, i got so sick i went to the Dr with flu like symptoms, waking up with phlegm in my throat, joint pain, extreme sweating and the feeling like I'm about to faint. OMG.. it really scared me. so i stopped it and now I'm back to normal, still have eye problems but that is 100% better than the solutions, which is taking that eye drops. It is very dangerous."

• Anonymous
• June 1, 2011

Xalatan (latanoprost) "I have been on this medication for over 5 years with no side effects and it has lowered my eye pressure. I rate this medication more favorably than Betoptic which I was previously on which was less effective and always left a stain on my face/eye area after it dried."

• Carol
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2024

"I took Latanoprost for a few months and began experiencing a runny nose, severe coughing, and congestion. My face also began to break out. I presented my concerns to the doctor and was told he had never heard of respiratory side effects, so I continued taking it. Now, after putting up with the cold and sinus effects for another few months, my face got worse - red and pimply. I was sent to a dermatologist who thought it might be rosacea. I am 74 years old and had always had a beautiful complexion. The dermatologist told me it could be an allergy as well. I immediately thought of my newest drug - Latanoprost. I stopped taking it, and within 2 days, I was clearing up. I needed to retest this, so I started using it again. After 6 days, I was red, rashed, and filled with anxiety. I was in tears. I stopped using the drops again, and now, after 3 days, I am almost clear. I will be making an appointment with my doctor after waiting another couple of days to see if the rash returns, and then goodbye to this horrid stuff."

• shiney...
• June 19, 2013

Xalatan (latanoprost) "After 4-5 months on the med, I am having problem of discomfort in one eye. Feels like foreign body. Cannot use latanoprost two days straight as left eye feels like I have something in it. I am seeing doctor tomorrow. Hope he can fix the problem."

• lyrs
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2016

"After taking a week of drops, experienced joint and muscle pain. At two weeks, chest pains sent me to the hospital. They kept me for two days until pain subsided and extensive tests were done and it was determined I did not have any blockages. I will not take it again."

• Mary
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2021

"I was prescribed Latanoprost for elevated eye pressure due to the beginning stages of glaucoma. After reading the reviews, I have to admit I was skeptical about this medication. However I thought, I won't know if this will work for me if I don't try. Been on the drops for a month, and followed directions. So far no side effects at all. I keep my meds in the fridge, even though the package say you don't have to. But no stinging, burning, blurred vision, dry eye, runny nose, heart palpitations, shoulder or any muscular pain, etc. The drops are easy to use. The only reason I rated this med a 5 is because I have not been back for my follow up yet. I will update."

• Drops...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 13, 2016

"I am in my 30s and I have glaucoma, with very high eye pressure. My doctor considered surgery, but decided to try latanoprost first. I am so glad he did because these drops work very well to lower my eye pressure. They don't make my eyes burn, like some of the other drops that my doctor used to prescribe. Also, they keep my eyes from being red in the morning and they keep me from getting pressure headaches. The primary negative is that I will have to use them for the rest of my life."

• Redhead
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2022

"This stuff is absolute poison and my built up in my body over several months, culminating in a multi-systemic reaction that has taken over a year to recover from. I do not recommend this for anyone, especially those with with potential MTHFR genetic mutations, vitamin B metabolism issues, beta-oxidation disorders, nor for humans, period. There is not one system that didn’t suffer. Even a year later, I still have occasional reflux (bile & acid) issues and focal aware seizures. I only had psoriasis and glaucoma before this drug—but my physical and mental health were nearly devastated by it. They don’t understand the method of action of the pharmacokinetics of this drug, but I’ll tell you: it dysregulated ALL of my smooth muscle tissue. It’s supposed to affect only by the back of the eye, but if you can’t oxidize this poison, may Heaven help you as it did me."

• RBill
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 16, 2020

"Used Sandoz, made by Akorn in Ft. Worth, for 3 1/2 years with great success in lowering eye pressure. Went from 22 to 25 down to 12 to 14. Humana Pharmacy switched supplier to Rising made in India. After using, for 3 months, went back to eye doctor for checkup and pressures were all the way back into the low to mid 20's. Switched to others and have now settled on Lumigan, costs dramatically higher, plus Timolol Maleate in one eye only twice a day. Glad to see another commenter on here having the same issue after Humana switching source. I have suspected all along it was the quality of source and not the actual drug. Positive it was cheaper for them. Incidentally other than eyelashes growing longer, did not have any of the other side-effects mentioned in the posts below. Do understand the frustration in the packaging. Hard to get open with arthritic hands."

• Stamp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2021

"I have been prescribed latanoprost and received the Greenstone brand. This was to replace the Dorzolamide HCI and Timolol Maleate which caused a severe drop in O2 and wheezing. I wound up in the hospital (I have ongoing lung issues and should never have been prescribed that). The new Dr. prescribed latanoprost. At first I thought it was okay. But I developed pretty severe night sweats about the same time. I didn't put it together at first... but just looked it up, and sure enough (buried in the literature). I've also had lower O2, just not as bad as the Timolol, and sinus issues, chills, jaw pain and anxiety. PAY ATTENTION! It's hard to believe that eye drops can affect so many things, but they have a direct pathway into your body. They are DESIGNED to lower "pressure" so that should be a clue. It's interesting to note the differences between manufacturers. It seems that medicines are not as regulated as they should be, I wish that we made our own medicines in this country!"

• AmnelK
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2022

"Doctors should warn people before prescribing this. I think the side effects and incidents of side effects of this and even other drugs are under reported. When people stop a medication due to side effects, doctors should be required to log this with the manufacturer. My case with this drug. Within a few days of use I started to have a runny nose. After a few weeks this worsened such that I felt like I had a head cold all the time. Runny nose, sore throat and cough. Very hard to get any good sleep. In addition, it lightened the iris color in both my eyes. At least they both were lightened equally, however, I used to have very dark brown almost black eyes and now they are medium brown. I stopped using these drops a few days ago. The runny nose is getting a little better but still persists. I am hoping the cold symptoms will eventually go away but now I read that the iris color change can be permanent."