Travoprost belongs to a class of medications called prostaglandin analogues. It is used to reduce the pressure inside the eye for people with open-angle Glaucoma or ocular hypertension (increased pressure in the eye). Travoprost begins to lower the pressure in the eye approximately 2 hours after using.

Fluid is constantly being formed and drained out of the eye. When this fluid does not drain out of the eye properly, pressure inside the eye increases. Travoprost works by increasing the flow of fluid out of the eye.

Apo Travoprost Z may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Apo Travoprost Z may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Apo Travoprost Z may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Apo Travoprost Z for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given Apo Travoprost Z, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using Apo Travoprost Z without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Apo Travoprost Z to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use Apo Travoprost Z if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended adult dose of travoprost is one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily each evening. Do not use travoprost more than once a day. Using travoprost eye drops more often may decrease the effectiveness of Apo Travoprost Z.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

To use the eye drops:

• Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
• Remove the cap and place it in a clean location. To avoid possible contamination, keep the tip of the container away from contact with any surface.
• Tilt your head back and look towards the ceiling.
• With your index finger, gently pull the lower eyelid down and away from the eye to form a pouch.
• Instill one drop into the pouch but do not allow the tip of the container to touch the eye or areas around the eye.
• Gently apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye (at the bridge of the nose) for about 30 seconds. (This is called nasolacrimal occlusion.) This prevents the medication from dripping down through the tear duct and entering the bloodstream, which could cause you to experience some side effects.
• Repeat with the other eye, if prescribed by your doctor.
• Wash your hands again to remove any medication.

If you use other eye drops as well, wait at least 5 minutes before using them.

It is important to use Apo Travoprost Z exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

It is very important to avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface, any skin, or your eye. This contamination can result in a bacterial infection. Report any signs of an eye infection (e.g., redness, irritation, pain) to your doctor immediately.

Store Apo Travoprost Z at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Apo Travoprost Z. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Apo Travoprost Z with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Apo Travoprost Z. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• bad taste in mouth
• burning or stinging in the eyes with application
• change in colour to the iris or eyelashes
• Constipation
• decreased heart rate
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry eyes
• Dry Mouth
• dry nose
• eye irritation
• eye itchiness
• eyelid crusting
• feeling of something in the eye
• headache
• increased tears
• joint pain
• lengthening or thickening of eyelashes
• nausea
• redness of the eye
• temporarily blurred vision
• throat irritation, cough
• tired eyes
• weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Asthma
• anxiety
• blood pressure changes
• chest pain
• eye injury
• eye or eyelid infection
• eye pain
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of bladder control or painful urination
• ringing in the ears
• sensitivity to light
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• swelling or inflammation to the eye or eyelid
• vision changes (decreased acuity, cloudiness)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction, i.e.,
  • abdominal cramps
  • difficulty breathing
  • nausea and vomiting
  • swelling of the face and throat

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Apo Travoprost Z.

Each mL of sterile, buffered, preserved aqueous solution contains 40 µg of travoprost. Nonmedicinal ingredients: polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, preservative system (boric acid, propylene glycol, sorbitol, zinc chloride), water for injection, and hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH).

Do not use Apo Travoprost Z if you:

• are allergic to travoprost or any ingredients of Apo Travoprost Z
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

There may be an interaction between travoprost and any of the following:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) eye drops (e.g., Diclofenac, Ketorolac)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Apo Travoprost Z. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Apo Travoprost Z.

Contact lenses: If you wear contact lenses you should remove the lenses before using the eye drops and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.

Driving/using machinery: Travoprost eye drops can cause blurred vision immediately after instilling them in the eyes. This may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. If you experience blurring, avoid driving or using machinery until your vision has cleared.

Eye changes: Apo Travoprost Z may gradually change the colour of the eye, increasing the amount of brown pigment in the iris (coloured part of the eye). The long-term effects on the eye and the chance of injury to the eye are currently not known. The change in colour may be permanent and occurs slowly. It may not be noticeable for several months or years of using Apo Travoprost Z. Apo Travoprost Z can also cause darkening, thickening, and lengthening of eyelashes. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Eye conditions: If you have certain types of eye conditions (e.g., uveitis, certain lens problems), discuss with your doctor how Apo Travoprost Z may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Travoprost Z, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Apo Travoprost Z should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using Apo Travoprost Z, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if travoprost passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Apo Travoprost Z, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Apo Travoprost Z have not been established for children.