COMMONLY USED DRUGS
Latanoprost
(Xalatan)
Bimatoprost
(Lumigan)
Travoprost
(Travatan)
USES OF THIS MEDICINE
Prostaglandin analogs and ocular hypotensive lipids
are used to lower eye pressure in eyes with glaucoma.
They may be used alone or in combination with other
medications. Prostaglandin analogs and ocular hypotensive
lipids lower eye pressure by increasing the drainage
of aqueous humor (eye fluid) from the eye.
BEFORE
USING THIS MEDICINE
Be sure to tell your doctor if you:
Are
allergic to any medicines
Are
using contact lenses
Are
pregnant or breast feeding
Have
any other health problems
Are
using any other prescription or non-prescription medications
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The usual dose is 1 drop in the affected eye at bedtime.
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor.
SIDE
EFFECTS
(this is a list of the most common side effects; for
a complete list, see the insert provided with your
medication)
The most frequent side effects are temporary stinging,
burning and blurred vision upon instillation. Some
patients also have a slight redness of the eye upon
waking in the morning. This is normal and usually clears
up after a couple of hours. In patients with hazel
colored iris, there is a 7 to 15% chance of darkening
of the iris. If this occurs, the eye color changes
from hazel to brown. This only occurs in certain eyes.
Ask your doctor if you are at risk for this change
in eye color. Other side effects can include growth
of the eyelashes, darkening of the skin around the
eyes, and inflammation inside the eyes.
Some patients develop flu-like symptoms, skin rash,
or muscle and joint pains.
If you notice a persistent change or worsening of your
vision, especially if you have had prior eye surgery,
notify your doctor immediately.
You must keep your regularly scheduled appointment
with your ophthalmologist so the effect of this medicine
can be monitored. All medicines should be taken exactly
as prescribed. If you experience any problems with
this medication, call your doctor immediately.
COMMONLY USED DRUGS
Timolol
(Timoptic, Betimol)
Carteolol
(Ocupress)
Betaxolol
(Betoptic)
Metipranolol
(OptiPranolol)
Levobunolol
(Betagan)
USES OF THIS MEDICINE
Beta blockers are used to lower eye pressure in eyes
with glaucoma. They may be used alone or in combination
with other medications. Beta blockers lower eye pressure
by reducing the production of aqueous (eye fluid).
BEFORE
USING THIS MEDICINE
Be sure to tell your doctor if you:
Are
allergic to any medications
Have
any medical problems, particularly diabetes, heart
disease, abnormal blood pressure, asthma, or depression
Are
taking any other prescription or non-prescription medications
Are
using contact lenses
Are
pregnant or breast feeding
Have
any other health problems
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The usual dose is 1 drop in the affected eye once or
twice daily. Use this medication only as directed by
your doctor. Do not try to catch up on missed doses
by applying more than one dose at a time.
SIDE
EFFECTS
(this is a list of the most common side effects; for
a complete list, see the insert provided with your
medication)
The most frequent side effects are temporary stinging,
burning and blurred vision upon instillation. Most
patients experience a slight decrease in heart rate
and may have a decrease in blood pressure. Patients
with lung or breathing problems may have shortness
of breath. Other side effects include fatigue, drowsiness,
inability to exercise, impotence, and depression.
SPECIAL
PRECAUTIONS
Patients with diabetes should closely monitor their
blood sugar when using these medicines, since symptoms
of low blood sugar may be masked. Patients with slow
heart rate or low blood pressure may experience dizziness
or fainting spells.
You must keep your regularly scheduled appointment
with your ophthalmologist so the effect of this medicine
can be monitored. All medicines should be taken exactly
as prescribed. If you experience any problems with
this medication, call your doctor immediately.
COMMONLY USED DRUGS
Dorzolamide
(Trusopt)
Brinzolamide
(Azopt)
Acetazolamide
(Diamox) 125mg, 250mg, 500mg
Methazolamide
(Neptazane) 25mg, 50mg
USES OF THIS MEDICINE
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are used to lower eye
pressure in the treatment of glaucoma. Carbonic anhydrase
inhibitors lower eye pressure by reducing the pressure
of aqueous (eye fluid). They may be used alone or in
combination with other medications. These medications
are given either as eye drops or as pills that are
taken orally.
BEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE
Be sure to tell your doctor if you:
Are
allergic to any medications, especially Sulfa drugs
Are
pregnant or breast feeding
Are
taking prescription or non-prescription medications,
especially aspirin.
Have
any other medical problems including severe kidney
disease, kidney stones, liver disease (cirrhosis),
adrenal dysfunction, or gout
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
In glaucoma, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are given
as eye drops or as oral tablets or slow release capsules.
The usual dose of Trusopt or Azopt is 1 drop in the
affected eye every 12 or 8 hours. The usual dose of
Diamox for an adult ranges from 125mg to 250mg every
6 hours, or a 500mg sustained release capsule every
12 hours. Neptazane is usually given as 25 to 50mg
every 12 or 8 hours. If you miss a dose, do not try
to catch up on this dosage by taking more than one
dose at a time, since serious side effects may occur.
SIDE EFFECTS
(this is a list of the most common side effects; for
a complete list, see the insert provided with your
medication)
Side effects of the drops include transient burning
and stinging of the eye, blurred vision, and a bitter
taste in the throat. Some people experience redness,
irritation, or eye allergy. Less common effects of
the drops include headache, fatigue, skin rash, and
nausea.
Tingling or feeling of pins and needles in the hands,
face or feet is the most common side effect of the
oral form of this medication. Other side effects of
the oral medication include fatigue, loss of appetite,
weight loss, depression, gastrointestinal distress,
loss of libido, and impotence. Stomach upset may be
reduced by taking the medication with food. Kidney
stones can occur but most commonly in people who have
a history of kidney stones within the past 5 years.
Blood abnormalities and severe allergic reactions are
very rare, but they are the most severe side effects,
and may be a fatal side effect of this medication.
These reactions are extremely rare and impossible to
predict. These reactions could potentially occur with
drops, also.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Your doctor must be informed immediately if you notice
easy bruising, bleeding, or if you experience a change
in your overall well-being while using these medications.
Always inform all of your doctors about all medicines
you take so that they may be aware of potential drug
interactions.
You must keep your regularly scheduled appointment
with your ophthalmologist so the effect of this medicine
can be monitored. All medicines should be taken exactly
as prescribed. If you experience any problems with
this medication, call your doctor immediately.
COMMONLY USED DRUGS
Pilocarpine
(Isoptocarpine) 1%, 2%, 4%, 6% (Pilopine gel) 4%
Carbachol
0.75%, 1.5%, 3%
Echothiophate
(Phospholine Iodide) 0.06%, 0.12%, 0.25%
USES
OF THIS MEDICINE
Miotics are used to lower eye pressure in eyes with
glaucoma. They may be used alone or in combination
with other medications. Miotics lower eye pressure
by pulling on the muscles around the drainage system
thereby increasing the drainage of aqueous (eye fluid)
from the eye.
BEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE
Be sure to tell your doctor if you:
Are
allergic to any medicine
Are
pregnant or breast feeding
Are
taking other prescription or non-prescription medications
Have
any other health problems
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
One drop in the affected eye as directed. Most of these
drops are used from every 12 to every 6 hours, depending
on the medication and on your doctor's instructions.
Do not try to catch up on missed doses by applying
more than one dose at a time
SIDE EFFECTS
(this is a list of the most common side effects; for
a complete list, see the insert provided with your
medication)
Stinging and burning may occur after instillation of
these eye drops. Headache around the eye and eye strain,
due to pulling of the muscle inside the eye, may occur
for the first few days after beginning this type of
medication. This headache usually lasts for a couple
of hours. Difficulty in reading, redness in the eye,
and nearsightedness may also occur in some individuals.
Dimness of vision may also occur temporarily after
use of these drops, particularly in older patients
and in people with cataracts. A very rare but serious
potential side effect is the development of retinal
detachment.
Overdosage may result in rapid heartbeat, shortness
of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
SPECIAL
PRECAUTIONS
Unexplained flashes of light or an increase in the
usual number of floaters seen from an eye may be an
early symptom of retinal detachment. If these symptoms
occur, call your ophthalmologist immediately.
You must keep your regularly scheduled appointment
with your ophthalmologist so the effect of this medicine
can be monitored. All medicines should be taken exactly
as prescribed. If you experience any problems with
this medication, call your doctor immediately.
COMMONLY USED DRUGS
Brimonidine
(Alphagan)
Apraclonidine
(Iopidine)
Dipivefrin
(Propine)
USES OF THIS MEDICINE
Adrenergic agents are used to lower eye pressure in
eyes with glaucoma. They may be used alone or in combination
with other medications. Adrenergic agents lower eye
pressure by reducing the production of aqueous (eye
fluid) and increasing the drainage of aqueous from
the eye.
BEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE
Be sure to tell your doctor if you:
Are
allergic to any medicines
Have
any medical problems, especially high blood pressure,
hyperthyroidism, or heart disease
Are
taking other prescription or non-prescription medications
Are
using contact lenses
Are
pregnant or breast feeding
Have
any other health problems
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The usual dose is 1 drop in the affected eye every
12 or 8 hours. Do not try to catch up on missed doses
by applying more than one dose at a time. Use this
medication only as directed by your doctor
SIDE EFFECTS
(this is a list of the most common side effects; for
a complete list, see the insert provided with your
medication)
The most frequent side effects are temporary stinging
and burning, and blurred vision after instillation
of the drop. Following prolonged administration, some
patients experience allergy with irritation and redness
of the eye. Systemic side effects may occur rarely
and include increased heart rate, palpitations, altered
heart rhythm, headache, faintness, and high blood pressure
with dipivefrin. Dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, decreased
heart rate, and low blood pressure may occur with brimonidine
or apraclonidine. These effects occur rarely at usual
prescribed doses.
Brimonidine and apraclonidine are CONTRAINDICATED for
use when taking certain antidepressants. ASK YOUR DOCTOR.
You must keep your regularly scheduled appointment
with your ophthalmologist so the effect of this medicine
can be monitored. All medicines should be taken exactly
as prescribed. If you experience any problems with
this medication, call your doctor immediately
