Travatan General Information
Travatan is used to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open-angle type) or other eye diseases (e.g., ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye can help prevent blindness. Travatan works by regulating the flow of fluid within the eye to maintain a normal pressure.
How to Use Travatan
Apply Travatan in the affected eye(s) usually once a day in the evening, or as directed by your doctor. Do not use Travatanprost more often because it will not work as well.
To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
Remove contact lenses before using Travatan if your brand contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride. This preservative can be absorbed by contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using Travatan before putting your lenses back in.
Tilt your head back, look upward and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.
If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.
Use Travatan regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. It is important to continue using Travatanprost even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eye do not have symptoms.
Travatan Possible Side Effects
Blurred vision, eye redness/discomfort/itching, feeling as if something is in your eye, dry eyes, tearing, eyelid crusting, increase in eyelash number/length/thickness, darkening of the eyelashes and eyelids, eyelid changes, or increased sensitivity to light may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Travatan may slowly (over months to years) cause brown discoloration of the colored portion of the eye (iris). If you are using Travatanprost in only one eye, only that iris may change color. This color change may be permanent, but the long-term effects are uncertain. Notify your doctor if this occurs and schedule regular eye exams to monitor it.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Travatan because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Travatan do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vision changes, eye pain, swelling/redness of the eyelids.
A very serious allergic reaction to Travatan is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Travatan Precautions
Before using Travatanprost, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (e.g., bimatoprost, latanoprost); or if you have any other allergies. Travatan may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride found in some brands), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using Travatan, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: eye problems (e.g., macular edema, iritis, uveitis, lens extraction/aphakia).
If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about the continued use of your current bottle of Travatanprost. You may be advised to start using a new bottle.
Travatan may cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Travatan should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known if Travatan passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Travatan Possible Intercations
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using Travatan, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: eyelash treatment (such as topically applied bimatoprost).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Travatan, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.