Tafluprost
About Tafluprost
Tafluprost is a prescription eye drop used to lower high fluid pressure inside the eyes. It is primarily prescribed for people who have open-angle glaucoma or a condition called ocular hypertension. Left untreated, high pressure inside the eye can damage the optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss.
To get the best results, you must use these eye drops consistently, typically once every evening. It is important to apply them at the same time each day to maintain stable pressure in your eyes. Along with using this medication, attending regular eye check-ups and avoiding habits that raise eye pressure can support your overall eye health.
While this medicine is highly effective, it can cause some mild side effects, such as temporary eye redness, irritation, or changes in your eyelashes. If you experience severe eye pain, sudden changes in your vision, or signs of an allergic reaction, stop using the drops and contact your doctor immediately.
Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of eye inflammation, swelling in the back of the eye, or if you have had eye surgery.
This medication can interact with other eye drops, so it is crucial to space out different eye treatments. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine to ensure it is safe for you.
Uses of Tafluprost
Medicinal Benefits
Tafluprost helps lower and maintain healthy eye pressure, protecting the optic nerve and supporting long-term vision. With regular use as directed, it provides consistent pressure control and helps reduce the risk of vision loss associated with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
- Lowers Eye Pressure: By reducing pressure inside the eye, this medicine helps maintain eye pressure within a healthy range, protecting the optic nerve from damage.
- Helps Preserve Vision: Consistent control of eye pressure helps slow the progression of glaucoma and reduces the risk of permanent vision loss over time.
- Provides Long-Lasting Protection: With convenient once-daily evening use, this medicine offers continuous day-and-night eye pressure control, supporting long-term eye health and providing reassurance for ongoing vision care.
Directions for Use
- Tafluprost is for ophthalmic (for eye) use only.
- It is usually instilled once daily in the evening or as directed by your doctor.
- Check the label for directions before using this medication.
- Lie down and tilt your head backward. Gently pull your lower eyelid with your index finger to form a pocket. Instil the prescribed number of drops into the pocket. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Replace the cap tightly after each use.
- Avoid touching the container tip to the eye or eyelids to prevent contamination.
Storage
Side Effects of Tafluprost
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Eye redness, itching, or general irritation
- Dry eyes or watery eyes
- Darkening, lengthening, or thickening of your eyelashes
- Gradual darkening of the iris (the colored part of your eye) or the skin of your eyelid
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Severe eye pain, burning, or deep discomfort
- Swelling, redness, or warmth around the eyelids
- Sudden changes in vision, extreme blurriness, or sensitivity to light
- Discharge, pus, or crusting of the eye, which may indicate an infection
Drug Warnings
- Check the liquid first: Inspect the solution before each use. It should be clear and colourless; do not use it if you notice any cloudiness, discolouration, or floating particles.
- Manage your contact lenses: Take out your contact lenses before using these eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after applying the drops before putting your lenses back in.
- Be aware of permanent colour changes: This medication may cause the colored part of your eye (the iris) to become more brown over time. This change is often permanent and may be more noticeable if you are only treating one eye.
- Monitor eyelash changes: Your eyelashes may grow longer, thicker, or darker. These changes are usually temporary and stop once you finish treatment.
- Keep the dropper sterile: Never let the tip of the dropper touch your fingers, your eye, or any other surface, as this can introduce harmful bacteria.
- Do not overuse: Using these drops more than once a day can actually reduce their ability to lower eye pressure. Stick strictly to your prescribed routine.
Drug Interactions
- Other prostaglandin eye drops: Combining Tafluprost with other eye drops in the same drug class can actually decrease its pressure-lowering effect.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown if alcohol interacts with Tafluprost. Please consult a doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeTafluprost belongs to pregnancy category C. Avoid using Tafluprost if you are pregnant. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this. Women of child-bearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment with Tafluprost.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid using Tafluprost if you are breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Driving
cautionTafluprost might cause blurred vision. So, avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Tafluprost in patients with liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Tafluprost in patients with kidney impairment.
Children
unsafeTafluprost is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Attend regular eye exams: Always keep your follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your eye pressure and adjust your treatment if needed.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can worsen overall blood vessel health, which may negatively impact your optic nerve.
- Limit large amounts of caffeine: Drinking highly caffeinated beverages in short periods can temporarily raise pressure inside your eyes.
- Elevate your head while sleeping: Using an extra pillow to keep your head slightly raised can help reduce eye pressure fluctuations overnight.
- Avoid certain exercise positions: Stay away from prolonged head-down activities, such as deep forward folds in yoga, which can temporarily increase eye pressure.
Special Advise
Tafluprost may cause darkening of the skin around the eyes. Wipe off any solution if it comes in contact with the skin to reduce the risk of skin darkening.
Tafluprost might cause hair growth if the solution repeatedly comes in contact with the skin surface. Avoid contact of Tafluprost with the skin surface.
Tafluprost might cause pigmentation of the iris, eyelid and eyelashes. Pigmentation of the iris could be permanent; talk to a doctor if you have any concerns.
Tafluprost might increase the thickness and length of the eyelashes; however, it is reversible on discontinuation of treatment with Tafluprost.
Women of child-bearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment with Tafluprost.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Glaucoma: It is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. If it is not treated in time, it may cause blindness. Usually, there are no symptoms for glaucoma initially, except the slow loss of vision gradually. However, some symptoms include visible rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights or blurred vision. Rarely glaucoma can develop suddenly with intense pain in the eye, visual disturbance or nausea.
Ocular hypertension: It is a condition caused due to poor drainage of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye that maintains normal pressure by its continuous flow). This leads to a build-up of excess fluid in the eye resulting in increased pressure inside the eye without any damage to the optic nerve. If ocular hypertension is not controlled, it may lead to glaucoma.
FAQs
Tafluprost is used to lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Tafluprost works by increasing the outflow of aqueous humour, thereby helps lower the increased pressure in the eye.
Do not stop using Tafluprost on your own without consulting your doctor as it might increase the pressure in the eye leading to a permanent eye injury. Continue using Tafluprost for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you to treat your condition effectually. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Tafluprost might cause blurred vision for some time just after using it. So, avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision is clear to prevent any mishappening.
Tafluprost can be used with other eye medications if prescribed by the doctor. However, maintain a gap of 5-10minutes between Tafluprost and other eye medications.
Tafluprost might increase the thickness, length, number, and/or colour of the eyelashes and may cause unusual hair growth on the eyelids. However, eyelash changes are usually reversible upon discontinuation of treatment with Tafluprost.
Tafluprost may cause increased pigmentation of the iris, eyelid, and eyelashes. The increase in brown pigment of the iris may be permanent, especially in people with mixed-coloured eyes. Wipe off any solution that comes into contact with the skin to reduce the risk of skin darkening. Talk to your doctor if you notice these changes or have concerns.
No, you should always remove your contact lenses before putting the drops in your eyes. You can safely put your lenses back in 15 minutes after applying the drops. Talk to your doctor if you use contacts daily.
It is common to experience temporary blurred vision right after using eye drops. Avoid driving, riding a bicycle, or operating machinery until your vision clears completely. Talk to your doctor if the blurriness does not go away.
You should only use this medicine during pregnancy if your doctor determines the benefits clearly outweigh any potential risks to the baby. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss your options safely.
Pressing the inner corner of your closed eye for 1 to 2 minutes prevents the medicine from draining out of your eye and into your bloodstream, which reduces the chance of side effects in other parts of your body. Talk to your doctor if you need help learning this technique.
Unopened packages must be stored in the refrigerator. Once opened, you can keep the current container at room temperature, but you must throw away any remaining liquid after 28 days. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for specific instructions regarding your supply.
Yes, it is common for this medication to cause your eyelashes to grow longer, thicker, or darker during treatment. These changes usually reverse gradually after you stop using the drops. Talk to your doctor if you notice unexpected changes around your eyes.
