How to stop taking Xalatan

Discontinuing Xalatan (Latanoprost) is, for most people, safe and uneventful. For a few medications and indications, abrupt stopping can cause rebound symptoms, withdrawal-like effects or loss of disease control, so a tapered stop is preferred. Whether Xalatan at 0.005% needs a taper depends on the active ingredient and the duration of use.

When to taper Xalatan

Tapering is generally preferred when Xalatan has been used continuously for months and the active ingredient Latanoprost produces neuroadaptive changes that take time to reverse. Latanoprost is a prodrug ester hydrolysed by corneal esterases to its active free acid, which selectively binds the prostaglandin F (FP) receptor. For event-driven use, no taper is needed — simply stopping is appropriate. The prescriber decides the schedule based on the indication and dose.

What to expect when stopping

After stopping Xalatan at 0.005%, the underlying condition may return as the medication washes out — this is loss of treatment effect, not withdrawal in the strict sense. Some active ingredients also produce specific discontinuation syndromes, which a tapered stop minimises. Persistent or severe symptoms after stopping deserve medical review.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just stop taking Xalatan? ▾

For event-driven use of Xalatan at 0.005%, yes — simply stopping is fine. For chronic continuous use, abrupt stopping can be appropriate for some active ingredients and inadvisable for others. Confirm with the prescriber before stopping.

Will I have withdrawal from Xalatan? ▾

True withdrawal is uncommon with most Eye Care and Ophthalmic Treatments agents. What is sometimes mistaken for withdrawal is the return of the underlying condition. The prescribing information for Latanoprost lists any documented discontinuation effects to expect.

More on Xalatan

The information on this website is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.