The human eye needs a certain level of fluidic pressure for good health and for the person to see correctly. This pressure can increase because of eye hypertension and because of the disease called glaucoma. The brand-name drug Xalatan works to decrease eye pressure. MayoClinic.com states that it may do this by causing the eye to expel more fluid. The medication, known generically as latanoprost, comes only by prescription. It can cause the person taking it to experience some side effects.
Vision Blurring
The introduction of Xalatan into a person's eyes may cause the serious common side effect of blurry vision, MayoClinic.com reports. This may occur because of the solution itself, or it may happen because of an incorrect balance of fluid in the eye. If the person experiences blurry vision when using Xalatan, MayoClinic.com recommends seeking the doctor's help as soon as he can.
Irritation
Xalatan also may cause the person to feel irritation in the eye to which the medication has been applied. This may induce tearing in the eye. Irritation from the use of the medicine may need medical treatment.
Discoloration
Taking Xalatan also may cause the eye to become discolored, MayoClinic.com reports. Specifically, Xalatan may make brown more prominent in the eye. The medication also can cause discoloration of the skin of the eyelid, usually by darkening it. These side effects may not appear serious, but MayoClinic.com reports them as such and states they may need medical intervention.
Cold-Like Symptoms
The use of Xalatan may cause the person to experience symptoms akin to having a cold. Drugs.com indicates this typically occurs upon early use of the medicine and doctors expect it to end on its own. The person may get the sniffles, a sore throat and nasal congestion. She may develop a fever and get the chills. Cold-like symptoms as a side effect of Xalatan most often disappear without treatment, but can need a doctor's help if they do not. Over-the-counter cold remedies that treat sinus and lung congestion as well as the other symptoms typically can help the person get past the side effect. Like other nonserious side effects associated with Xalatan, cold-like symptoms generally pass as the person's body acclimates to the medicine.
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