Travatan

Travatan is a prescription medicine approved to lower eye pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It works by opening the channels that allow fluid to leave the eye. Travatan comes in the form of an eyedrop that is typically applied once daily. It should only be used when other medications for treating high eye pressure have failed.

 

What Is Travatan?

Travatan® (travoprost ophthalmic solution) is a prescription eyedrop used to decrease eye pressure in people with the following eye conditions:
 
Travatan is approved for use when other medications have failed or are not tolerated well, due to side effects. The medication comes in two forms -- regular Travatan (which uses benzalkonium chloride as a preservative) or newer Travatan Z (which uses a gentler preservative).
 
(Click Travatan Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Travatan is made by Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
 

How Does Travatan Work?

Travatan belongs to a class of medications known as prostaglandins. It works by opening the channels that allow fluid to leave the eye, helping the excess fluid to drain from the eye more easily. By reducing eye pressure, this medication can help prevent damage to the optic nerve (and the vision loss that accompanies such damage) caused by high eye pressure.
 

When and How to Take It

Some general considerations for when and how to take Travatan include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in the form of an eyedrop. It is usually taken once a day in the evening.
     
  • If you use other eyedrops, make sure to separate these from Travatan by at least five minutes.
     
  • If you wear contacts, remove them before using Travatan and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
     
  • Always wash your hands thoroughly before using this medication.
     
  • Gently pull your lower eyelid down with a finger (most people find that their middle fingers work best) to create a small pocket. Without actually touching the dropper to the eye, squeeze the bottle to place one drop into the lower eyelid.
     
  • Keep the bottle free of contamination by avoiding touching the tip to anything, including your eye, hands, or any surfaces.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Travatan will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosing Information

There is only one standard recommended Travatan dose, regardless of your age or weight. As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Travatan Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Travatan

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Travatan. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • Red eyes
  • Less clear vision
  • Eye discomfort or pain
  • Feeling like something is stuck in the eye
  • Eye itching.
     
(Click Travatan Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions

Travatan can potentially interact with a few other medications (see Travatan Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Travatan?

Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the medication if you:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Travatan Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not use the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

It is not known what to expect from an overdose of Travatan. If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Travatan Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should the Medication Be Stored?

Travatan should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you forget to take your Travatan dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
 

Available Strengths

Both forms of this medication come in one strength -- Travatan eyedrops, containing 40 mcg (0.04 mg) of travoprost per mL of solution. It comes in two different bottle sizes (2.5 mL and 5 mL).
 

Is There a Generic Version of Travatan?

Currently, there are no generic versions of Travatan licensed for sale (see Generic Travatan for more information).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;