A-Z Indexes

Food

Health Guides

Health News

Travoprost (Benzalkonium)

Pronounced

"TRA-voh-prost"

Common brand names:

Travatan

Uses

Travoprost is used to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open-angle type) or other eye diseases (such as ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye can help prevent blindness. This medication works by regulating the flow of fluid within the eye to maintain a normal pressure.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using travoprost and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Use this medication in the affected eye(s) as directed by your doctor, usually once a day in the evening. Do not use travoprost more often because it will not work as well.

To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.

Remove contact lenses before using this medication if your brand contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride. This preservative can be absorbed by contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medication before putting your lenses back in.

Tilt your head back, look upward and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed.

Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.

If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.

Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Keep using travoprost even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eye do not have symptoms.