Unoprostone Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 19, 2025.

Applies to unoprostone ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working and to check for unwanted effects.

Contact your doctor immediately if you are having eye surgery, you experience trauma to your eye, or you develop an eye infection to determine if you should continue to use your present container of eye drops.

This medicine may cause some people to have blurred vision for a short time. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you cannot see properly.

Ophthalmic unoprostone may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to light than they are normally. Wearing sunglasses and avoiding too much exposure to bright light may help lessen the discomfort.

Other side effects

Some side effects of unoprostone ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, unoprostone ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking unoprostone ophthalmic:

Other side effects

Some side effects of unoprostone ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to unoprostone ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were burning/stinging, dry eyes, itching, and increased length of eyelashes.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, increased cough, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Diabetes mellitus^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
• Postmarketing reports: Palpitations^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Postmarketing reports: Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Accidental injury, pain^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Burning/stinging, dry eyes, itching, increased length of eyelashes
• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal vision, eyelid disorder, foreign body sensation, lacrimation disorder, blepharitis, cataract, conjunctivitis, corneal lesion, discharge from the eye, eye hemorrhage, eye pain, keratitis, irritation, photophobia, vitreous disorder
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute elevated intraocular pressure, color blindness, corneal deposits, corneal edema, corneal opacity, diplopia, hyperpigmentation of the eyelid, increased number of eyelashes, iris hyperpigmentation, iritis, optic atrophy, ptosis, retinal hemorrhage, visual field defect, decrease in the length of eyelashes
• Postmarketing reports: Corneal erosion, chemosis^[Ref]

Unoprostone ophthalmic may change the eye color. This is caused by a gradual increase of the brown pigment in the iris. The change in iris color is slow and may not be noticeable for months.

When administered to animals for 12 months, one of ten animals exhibited increased pigmentation of the iris.

The manufacturer reports after 12 months of therapy an increased length in eyelashes (>= 1 mm) in approximately 10% to 14% of patients and a decreased length in eyelashes in 7% of patients.^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Flu-like syndrome^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Unoprostone ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer