Latisse

Latisse is a product used in the treatment of high eye pressure, usually caused by glaucoma or other eye diseases.

It is considered to work regulating the flow of fluid within the eye in order to lower the eye pressure.

By lowering the high pressure, it helps prevent many eye problems, e.g. blindness as the most serious eye problem. This product is available in the form of a solution, for ophthalmic use.

If you are about to start Latisse, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.

Before the decision to start the treatment with this medication is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects as well as about the potential risks and side effects.

For the decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together will have to make.

During the consultations, it is important to inform the doctor about:

Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific type of food, dye, fabric and etc.

Pediatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in pediatric patients. Because of this, it is not recommended to be used in children younger than 16 years of age. It should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Geriatric – Proper studies done have confirmed that there are no age-connected risks when this medication is used in geriatric patients. However, due to the increased sensitivity of the geriatric patients, this medication must be used with extra caution.

Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. It is unknown how would it affect the fetus. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Breastfeeding – Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers. It is unknown if it is extracted in the milk or how would it affect the infant. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications should not be used in a combination with others.

However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of a combination, including two or more medications to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial to your condition.

Other interactions – Certain medications should not be used in a combination with the specific type of food, alcohol, and tobacco. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet and discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol during the treatment with this medication.

Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – certain types of glaucoma, eye disease or loss of the lens of the eyes or a torn lens.

To use Latisse properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. This medication is in the form of a solution, for ophthalmic use.

If you are currently using contact lens, make sure to remove them before you apply the medication, and wait at least 15 minutes to replace them.

If you are currently using other types of eye medications, e.g. ointment, apply the eye drops first and then after at least 5 minutes the ointment.

This would allow for the eye drops to get absorbed in the eye. To avoid infection, do not touch the top of the bottle to the eye. Before applying the medication, wash your hands.

Tilt your head backwards. Using two fingers, pull the lower eyelid to make a small pouch. In this pouch apply the eye drops. Then close the eye and gently massage the high eyelid to help the eye drops to get absorbed in the eye.

The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. The usual dose is one drop, daily, usually in the evening.

In order to get the most beneficial effects from the use of this medication, apply the prescribed dose regularly. If you happen to miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember.

Do not double to catch up. This medication is harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact the doctor as soon as possible for further directions.

Before using Latisse, there are some precautions you must take.

Visit your doctor regularly, at your scheduled appointments, so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if necessary.

These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue your treatment with this medication, if there are any serious side effects present which would worsen your condition, or if you condition does not improve.

Inform the doctor about any allergic reaction to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur.

Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. The doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication and advise you to start using a proven form of birth control during the treatment, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy.

Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. The doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers.

If you are using contact lenses, it is important to remove them before you apply this medication, because they would absorb the medication. This medication may cause temporarily unstable vision. Avoid driving, and any other activities which require clear vision.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Latisse.

These side effects do not occur in all patients, and also they could be mild or more serious.

However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Common side effects – burning/stinging/irritation, redness of the eye, dry eyes, watery eyes, and increased sensitivity to the sun. These are common side effects which are not considered as serious, however if their presence worsens or persists, inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Serious side effects – vision changes, swelling of the eye, eye pain, and swelling/redness of the eyelids. These are serious side effects, whose presence must be reported to the doctor right away.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is rare, but if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.