Tafluprost (Ophthalmic)

Tafluprost eye drops are used by themselves or with other medicines to treat high pressure in the eye caused by open-angle glaucoma or a condition known as hypertension of the eye. Both conditions are due to high pressure in the eye, which can cause pain or changes in vision. This medicine is a prostaglandin.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Your eye doctor will want to check your eyes regularly to ensure the medicine is working well and not causing any unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause a brown color in the iris (the colored part), eyelid, or eyelashes of your treated eye. Your eyelashes may also become longer, thicker, and darker. Some of these changes may be permanent even if you stop using tafluprost. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Contact your doctor immediately if you have an eye injury, eye infection, or if you plan to have eye surgery.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will weigh the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your health care professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Due to the toxicity of tafluprost, it is not recommended for use in children.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems in older adults that would limit the usefulness of tafluprost eye drops.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others can be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these cases, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used during or around meal times, as interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Eye lens is missing (aphakia) or
• Eye lens is torn—Use with caution. May cause more side effects.

• Eye pigmentation (extra color in the eye) or
• Iritis (eye inflammation) or
• Macular edema (swelling in the back of the eye) or
• Uveitis (eye inflammation)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Blurred vision
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• decreased vision
• eye discharge or excessive tearing
• eye pain
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

Some side effects may happen 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 how 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:

More common

• Headache
• stinging or irritation of the eye

Less common

• Cough
• darker color of the eyelashes
• dry eyes
• increased growth of the eyelashes

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Zioptan

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antiglaucoma

Pharmacologic Class: Prostaglandin

Your eye doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Zioptan™ is a sterile eye solution that does not contain a preservative. After opening the single-use container, use the solution right away and throw away any unused medicine.

Your doctor may order 2 or more eye drops to be used together. You should wait at least 5 minutes before putting another eye drop in the same eye.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops):For glaucoma or hypertension of the eye: Adults—Use one drop in the affected eye once a day in the evening. Children—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Refrigerate the cartons and unopened foil pouches, but do not freeze. After the pouch is opened, keep the single-use containers in the opened foil pouch at room temperature for up to 28 days. Protect the medicine from moisture. Write the date you open the foil pouch in the space provided on the pouch. Throw away any unused medicine 28 days after the pouch is opened for the first time.