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 Xalacom.
Allergy: If you are allergic to other prostaglandin analogues or beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, discuss the risks and benefits of using Xalacom with your doctor.
Asthma and respiratory disease: Although Xalacom is intended to be used as a topical (surface only) treatment for the eyes, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect breathing if you have a history of breathing problems or difficulty breathing. If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, discuss with your doctor how Xalacom may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Xalacom, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Choroidal detachment: If you have chronic or recurrent choroidal detachment, talk to your doctor about further use of the eye drops.
Contact lenses: Contact lenses should be removed before latanoprost - timolol eye drops are applied and should not be reinserted for 15 minutes after application of the drops.
Depression: People with clinical depression should discuss with their doctor how Xalacom may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Xalacom, and whether any special monitoring is needed. You may need to visit your doctor more often to ensure that Xalacom is not making your condition worse.
Diabetes: Although Xalacom is intended to be used as a topical treatment for the eyes, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect blood sugar control if you have diabetes. People with diabetes should discuss with their doctor how Xalacom may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Xalacom, and whether any special monitoring is needed. You may need to test your blood sugar more often while you are using Xalacom.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: This medication may cause drowsiness and temporary blurring of your vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in any potentially hazardous activities until you determine how Xalacom affects you.
Eye changes: Latanoprost 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 chances of injury to the eye are currently unknown. The change in colour may be permanent and occurs slowly, and may not be noticeable for several months or years. Latanoprost has also been reported to cause darkening, thickening, and lengthening of eyelashes. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Eye conditions: If you have frequent or chronic inflammation of the eye, discuss with your doctor how Xalacom may affect your medical condition, howyour medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Xalacom, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Heart disease: Although Xalacom is intended to be used as a treatment applied directly to the eyes, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and have an effect on heart disease or circulation problems such as Raynaud’s disease. If you have heart disease or circulation problems, discuss with your doctor how Xalacom may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Xalacom, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney or liver disease: If you have decreased kidney or liver function, discuss with your doctor how Xalacom may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Xalacom, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Myasthenia Gravis: If you have myasthenia gravis, discuss with your doctor how Xalacom may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Xalacom, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Thimerosal: Any eye medication containing thimerosal should not be used within 5 minutes before or after using latanaprost, as solid particles may develop as a result of the two medications mixing together.
Thyroid disease: If you have thyroid disease, discuss with your doctor how Xalacom may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Xalacom, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Xalacom should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Xalacom, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Xalacom may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking latanoprost - timolol, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Xalacom have not been established for children.
