Tafluprost

What is Tafluprost?

• Tafluprost (ZIOPTAN) 0.0015% is a prostaglandin analog indicated for reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

What are the uses of this medicine?

• ZIOPTAN® is used to lower the pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure) in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when their eye pressure is too high. ZIOPTAN® belongs to a group of medicines called prostaglandin analogs.

How does this medicine work?

• Tafluprost acid, a prostaglandin analog is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist which is believed to reduce intraocular pressure by increasing uveoscleral outflow.
• The exact mechanism of action is unknown at this time.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

• This medicine have no uasage limitations.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted with Tafluprost.
• ZIOPTAN may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure.
• If more than one topical ophthalmic product is being used, each one should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Initial U.S. Approval: 2012

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• The recommended dose is one drop of ZIOPTAN® in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening.
• The dose should not exceed once daily since it has been shown that more frequent administration of prostaglandin analogs may lessen the intraocular pressure lowering effect.
• Reduction of the intraocular pressure starts approximately 2 to 4 hours after the first administration with the maximum effect reached after 12 hours.

Administration:

• The solution from one individual unit is to be used immediately after opening for administration to one or both eyes.
• Since sterility cannot be maintained after the individual unit is opened, the remaining contents should be discarded immediately after administration.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As Ophthalmic solution containing tafluprost 0.015 mg/mL

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• ZIOPTAN

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• stinging, irritation, or itching of the eye
• dry eyes
• blurry or cloudy vision
• headache

This medicine may cause some serious side effects which may include:

• pain, swelling, or redness of eyes or eyelids
• sudden changes or loss of vision
• eye injury
• eye infection

Nonocular side effects may include:

• headache
• cough
• common cold
• urinary tract infection

What special precautions should I follow?

• Pigmentation of the iris, periorbital tissue (eyelid) and eyelashes can occur. Iris pigmentation is likely to be permanent.
• ZIOPTAN® may gradually change eyelashes and vellus hair in the treated eye. These changes include increased length, color, thickness, shape and number of lashes. Eyelash changes are usually reversible upon discontinuation of treatment.
• ZIOPTAN® should be used with caution in patients with active intraocular inflammation (e.g., iritis/uveitis).
• Macular edema, including cystoid macular edema, has been reported during treatment with prostaglandin F2α analogs.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• ZIOPTAN® should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Use in pediatric patients is not recommended because of potential safety concerns related to increased pigmentation following long-term chronic use.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

• Active ingredients:
• tafluprost

• Inactive ingredients:
• glycerol, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, disodium edetate, and polysorbate 80, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide, and water for injection.

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

• Distributed by: Akorn, Inc.
• Manufactured for: Oak Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Made in France

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Before opening the foil pouches:

• Store the unopened foil pouches in a refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
• Do not open the pouch containing ZIOPTAN® until you are ready to use the eye drops.

After opening the foil pouch:

• Store the opened foil pouch at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), for up to 30 days.
• Throw away all unused ZIOPTAN® single-use containers in the opened foil pouch after 30 days.
• Keep the ZIOPTAN® single-use containers in their original foil pouch.
• After opening the foil pouch, refrigeration is not required.

• Dailymed label info on Tafluprost
• FDA Tafluprost