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Uses

What is tafluprost used for?

Tafluprost is commonly used to reduce increased pressure in the eye in people with either open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Tafluprost may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does tafluprost work (mechanism of action)?

Tafluprost is in a group of medicines called prostaglandin analogs. People with glaucoma or ocular hypertension have high intraocular pressure (IOP), or high pressure inside the eye. Having high IOP increases the risk for vision loss as well as damage to the optic nerve in the eyes. Tafluprost may work by helping the fluid in the eye drain out, which helps decrease IOP. 

How is tafluprost supplied (dosage forms)?

Tafluprost is available as a 0.0015% ophthalmic solution (eye drop) that is applied to the eye.

How should I store tafluprost?

Unopened tafluprost should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Store tafluprost in the original pouch. Do not open the pouch until you are ready to use the medicine. 

After you open the pouch, you can store the single-use containers in the opened pouch for up to 30 days at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). Protect from moisture. Write down the date you open the foil pouch in the designated space on the pouch. Throw away any unused containers 30 days after you open the pouch. 

If you receive your tafluprost prescription by mail order, check the label when your prescription arrives. If you receive it after two days of the dispensing date noted on the label, you should not use the medicine. Call your mail order pharmacy for instructions. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of tafluprost?

The most common side effects of tafluprost are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Eye redness, stinging, itching, dryness, or pain
  • Cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye)
  • Blurry vision 
  • Headache
  • Symptoms of a cold, such as stuffy nose, cough, or sore throat
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)

There may be other side effects of tafluprost that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of tafluprost?

While less common, the most serious side effects of tafluprost are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Tafluprost may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using tafluprost and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Increased Brown Coloring of the Iris. Tafluprost may cause the colored part of the eye called the iris to increase in brown color. This effect may take months to years to occur, and may be permanent, even if you stop using tafluprost. Tafluprost may also cause your eyelid skin to darken or grow hair, which may return to normal after you stop using tafluprost. Keep all appointments to have your eyes checked.

Eyelash Changes. Tafluprost may cause eyelash changes, which usually return to normal after you stop using this medicine. Changes may include increased length, color, thickness, shape, and number of eyelashes.  

Macular Edema. Tafluprost may cause a problem called macular edema. Macular edema is swelling from too much fluid in part of your eye called the retina. This can affect your vision. If you have any vision changes, call your healthcare provider right away.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use tafluprost?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use tafluprost.

  • Tafluprost
  • Zioptan
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific tafluprost products they stock.

What should I know about tafluprost before using it?

Do not use tafluprost unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share tafluprost with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep tafluprost out of the reach of children. When storing tafluprost in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

If you use more than one eye medicine, wait at least 5 minutes in between using them. 

Tafluprost is meant for single use only. Do not open the individual unit until you are ready to use it. Once you put in the eye drops, throw away the remaining contents of the unit, even if it is not empty, because it is no longer sterile. Using tafluprost that is not sterile can cause other eye problems. 

Do not allow the tip of the eye drop container to touch the eye or the area around the eyes. If the tip touches any surface, you could develop a serious infection in your eye that could lead to eye damage and vision loss. 

If you develop any type of eye problems or reactions while using tafluprost, consult your healthcare provider right away. This may include problems with the eye or eyelid, such as eye injury, infection, eye swelling and redness, or vision loss. 

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using tafluprost?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if tafluprost is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and past health conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Any type of eye problem, including uveitis (inflammatory conditions that affect the middle part of the eye), macular edema, eye pressure problems, no lens (aphakia) or problems with your eye lens
  • Diabetes 
  • A history of eye surgery

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how tafluprost could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you are of childbearing age, you should use effective birth control. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best birth control for you. If you take tafluprost and find out that you are pregnant, call your healthcare provider right away.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if tafluprost passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use tafluprost while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does tafluprost interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between tafluprost and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect tafluprost.

Does tafluprost interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between tafluprost and other medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much tafluprost?

If you or someone else has used too much tafluprost, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of tafluprost?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.