Latanoprost is a medication commonly prescribed for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. This eye drop lowers intraocular pressure (IOP), helping to prevent optic nerve damage and preserve vision. Proper storage is important to maintain its effectiveness and ensure its therapeutic benefits are fully realized.
Why Latanoprost Needs Refrigeration
Latanoprost is sensitive to environmental factors, particularly heat and light. Its active ingredient degrades when exposed to higher temperatures, impacting the medication’s stability and ability to reduce intraocular pressure.
Refrigeration helps preserve the latanoprost molecule, slowing degradation. Unopened bottles are typically kept refrigerated at temperatures between 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) to maintain potency. While latanoprost remains stable at lower room temperatures (around 25°C or 77°F) for a limited period, higher temperatures can lead to significant degradation within days. This temperature sensitivity underscores the need for cool storage to ensure the medication delivers its intended therapeutic effect.
Unopened Latanoprost at Room Temperature
For unopened bottles of latanoprost, refrigeration is the standard storage recommendation to ensure stability and potency. However, unopened latanoprost may be exposed to room temperature for a limited duration. During shipment, the medication is often designed to withstand temperatures up to 40°C (104°F) for up to eight days. This allowance is for transit only, not routine room temperature storage.
Upon receiving latanoprost, it should be placed in the refrigerator as soon as possible. If an unopened bottle has been left out longer than the typical shipping allowance, or if it has been exposed to significantly higher temperatures, its potency may be compromised. In such cases, it is advisable to consult with a pharmacist or healthcare provider to determine if the medication is still effective or if it should be discarded.
Using and Discarding Latanoprost
Once a bottle of latanoprost has been opened, the storage guidelines change. An opened bottle can be stored at room temperature, provided it does not exceed 25°C (77°F), for a period of six weeks. This timeframe allows for regular daily use without constant refrigeration. During this open-bottle period, it is important to protect the medication from light by keeping it in its original packaging or a dark place.
Proper handling of the eye drops is important to prevent contamination. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the drops. Avoid touching the dropper tip to your eye, eyelids, or any other surface, as this can introduce bacteria into the solution and lead to eye infections. After each use, ensure the bottle cap is securely replaced.
Discard the medication after six weeks from opening, even if there is still solution remaining. Also, discard if it appears discolored, cloudy, or if the expiration date on the packaging has passed. If using other eye drops, wait at least five minutes between applications.