Xalacom is indicated in open angle glaucoma, raised pressure in the eye (ocular hypertension).
This medicine contains two active ingredients, Latanoprost and Timolol Maleate. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analogue. It works by increasing the drainage of aqueous humour out of the eyeball. This decreases the pressure within the eye. Timolol is a beta-blocker. This medicine block beta-receptors in various parts of the body. Blocking the beta receptors in the eye reduces the amount of aqueous humour that is produced. Timolol therefore reduces the inflow of aqueous humour into the eyeball and so decreases the pressure within the eyeball.
The usual dose is one drop into the affected eye, or eyes once daily
Headache, skin rashes, inflammation of the lining of the eye, causing pain and redness (conjunctivitis), inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), disorders of the front layer of the eye (cornea), change in colour of the iris (the coloured part of the eye), darkening, thickening and lengthening of the eyelashes, red eye due to excess blood supply (hyperaemia), pain in the eye and eye irritation including stinging, burning and itching.
Always consult a registered doctor before taking any medicine. This information is for general knowledge only.
Allergy to any of the ingredients of the product. The drug is also contraindicated if there is a history of asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, or other breathing problems, certain heart conditions like very slow heart rate, irregular heart beat or heart failure, breastfeeding, failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood (cardiogenic shock), pregnancy, serious defect in the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (2nd or 3rd degree heart block).
Precipitation occurs when eye drops containing thimerosal are mixed with latanoprost. If such drugs are used they should be administered with an interval of at least 5 minutes between applications. Patients receiving a beta-adrenergic blocking agent orally and Timolol should be observed for potential additive effects.
This medicine may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar such as increased heart rate, tremor and nausea. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar. This medicine may cause vision to blur temporarily. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off. This medicine may mask the symptoms of high thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism) and may increase sensitivity to substances which cause allergy and the seriousness of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). People who experience an anaphylactic reaction while taking this medicine may need larger than normal doses of adrenaline to treat the reaction. A severe form of angina pectoris, not caused by exertion, absence of the lens of the eye (aphakia), closed angle glaucoma, diabetes, glaucoma caused by accumulation of pigment particles in the drainage channels of the eye (pigmentary glaucoma), glaucoma due to inflammation inside the eye, glaucoma due to the growth of new blood vessels over the iris, heart failure, history of allergies and severe heart disease, inherited glaucoma, low blood pressure (hypotension).