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USE OF LATANOPROST IN PREGNANCY

Date of issue: April 2020, Version: 3

Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analogue used topically in the treatment of ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. Systemic prostaglandins can increase uterine tone, have known abortifacient effects, and may also cause reduced placental perfusion, raising concerns regarding their use during pregnancy. However, latanoprost is administered via the ocular route and a high systemic concentration would therefore not be expected at the recommended therapeutic dose of 1.5 micrograms/eye/day.

There are no large epidemiological studies on the use of latanoprost during pregnancy and an evidence-based evaluation of risk to the fetus with maternal use during pregnancy is not currently possible. Case series, case reports and a small cohort study describe the outcomes of only 20 pregnancies (19 during the first trimester). One small cohort study found a possible association with low birth weight, however further studies are required to confirm/refute this finding. Any risks to the fetus should be weighed against the potential adverse effects of untreated maternal glaucoma, including permanent loss of vision.

Exposure to latanoprost at any stage in pregnancy would not usually be regarded as medical grounds for termination of pregnancy or any additional fetal monitoring. However, other risk factors may be present in individual cases which may independently increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. Clinicians are reminded of the importance of consideration of such factors when performing case-specific risk assessments.

This is a summary of the full UKTIS monograph for health care professionals and should not be used in isolation. The full UKTIS monograph and access to any hyperlinked related documents is available to NHS health care professionals who are logged in.

If you have a patient with exposure to a drug or chemical and require assistance in making a patient-specific risk assessment, please telephone UKTIS on 0344 892 0909 to discuss the case with a teratology specialist.

If you would like to report a pregnancy to UKTIS please click here to download our pregnancy reporting form. Please encourage all women to complete an online reporting form.

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