Travoprost Ophthalmic

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Travoprost ophthalmic is used to treat glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision) and ocular hypertension (a condition which causes increased pressure in the eye). Travoprost is in a class of medications called prostaglandin analogs. It lowers pressure in the eye by increasing the flow of natural eye fluids out of the eye.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Travoprost ophthalmic comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eye. It is usually instilled in the affected eye(s) once a day in the evening. To help you remember to use travoprost, use it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use travoprost exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Travoprost ophthalmic also comes as an implant to be inserted into the white part of your eye as a single dose, by a doctor in a medical office or clinic.

Before you receive a travoprost implant, your doctor will clean your eye to prevent infection and numb your eye to reduce discomfort during the implant.

Travoprost controls glaucoma and ocular hypertension but does not cure them. Continue to use travoprost even if you feel well. Do not stop using travoprost without talking to your doctor.

To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.
3. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.
4. While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
5. Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
6. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
7. While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
8. Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
9. Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
10. Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.
11. Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
12. Wash your hands to remove any medication.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before using travoprost eye drops,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to travoprost, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in travoprost ophthalmic solution or insert. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.

• if you are using another topical eye medication, instill it at least 5 minutes before or after you instill travoprost eye drops.

• tell your doctor if you have an infection in or around your eyes or problems with your cornea (clear tissue that covers the front of the eye) or if you have ever had a corneal transplant, Your doctor may not want you to receive a travoprost implant.

• tell your doctor if you have inflammation (swelling) of the eye or a torn or missing lens.

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using travoprost, call your doctor.

• if you have an eye injury, infection, or eye surgery while using travoprost eye drops, ask your doctor if you should continue using the same eye drops container.

• you should know that travoprost eye drops should not be instilled while wearing contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before instilling travoprost eye drops. You may put them back in 15 minutes later.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Instill the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Travoprost ophthalmic may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• eye pain or irritation
• blurred vision
• dry eyes
• eye tearing
• feeling that something is in the eye
• headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• sensitivity to light
• abnormal vision
• pink eye
• redness or swelling of the eyelid

Travoprost ophthalmic may change the color of your eye (to brown) and darken the skin around the eye. It may also cause your eyelashes to grow longer and thicker and darken in color. These changes usually occur slowly, but they may be permanent. If you use travoprost eye drops in only one eye, you should know that there may be a difference between your eyes after using travoprost eye drops. Call your doctor if you notice these changes.

Travoprost may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Before having any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; a medical test that uses powerful magnets to take pictures of the inside of the body), tell your doctor and the testing personnel that you have a travoprost implant in your eye. Travoprost implant may affect MRI studies.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.