travoprost at a glance
Medicine class
Prostaglandin F2α analogue
Main role
Lowers raised pressure in open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension and paediatric glaucoma.
Form
Prescription eye-drop solution.
Important change
The treated iris may gradually become browner; this can be permanent.
What is travoprost used for?
The selected UK product is licensed to reduce elevated pressure inside the eye.
Ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma in adults.
Ocular hypertension or paediatric glaucoma in children aged 2 months to under 18 years; evidence is limited in children under 3 years.
How does travoprost work?
Travoprost is converted within the eye to an active substance that stimulates prostaglandin FP receptors. This increases drainage of aqueous humour through the uveoscleral and trabecular pathways, lowering pressure inside the eye.
travoprost preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 40 micrograms/mL
How to take travoprost
Use in the affected eye or eyes exactly as prescribed. Wash your hands, pull down the lower eyelid to form a pocket and apply the drop without touching the bottle tip to the eye, eyelid or another surface.
Close the eye afterwards and gently press the inner corner beside the nose to reduce absorption into the bloodstream.
If the drop misses the eye, try again.
Replace the cap firmly after use and use only one opened bottle at a time.
Remove contact lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before putting them back.
If vision becomes blurred, wait until it clears before driving, cycling or using machinery.
travoprost side effects
Common or expected effects
- Eye redness
- Gradual brown darkening of the iris, which may be permanent
- Eye pain, discomfort, itching or irritation
- Dry eye
- Longer, thicker, darker or more numerous eyelashes
- Temporary blurred vision or watering
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction or breathing difficulty
- Worsening asthma
- Severe eye inflammation, pain or light sensitivity
- Marked deterioration in vision or possible macular oedema
- Chest pain or a markedly slow or irregular heartbeat
travoprost in pregnancy
The selected product's SmPC advises that travoprost should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary and requires adequate contraception where pregnancy is possible. However, glaucoma treatment should not be stopped without advice because uncontrolled disease can permanently damage sight. Anyone planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant should have treatment reviewed promptly by their eye specialist or prescriber.
travoprost while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether travoprost passes into human milk, and the selected product's SmPC does not recommend its use while breastfeeding. An eye specialist or prescriber should review the balance between maintaining eye-pressure control, breastfeeding and alternative treatments; do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.
travoprost interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all other eye preparations and medicines being used.
Other eye drops or eye ointments
Administer separately as directed so that one preparation does not wash another out of the eye.
Thiomersal-containing eye preparations
Laboratory testing found no precipitation with travoprost, but clinical interaction studies are unavailable.
Common questions about travoprost
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is travoprost used for?
Travoprost lowers raised pressure inside the eye in ocular hypertension, open-angle glaucoma and certain forms of paediatric glaucoma.
How does travoprost lower eye pressure?
It stimulates prostaglandin FP receptors and increases the drainage of fluid from the eye.
Can travoprost permanently change eye colour?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.