Unoprostone Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 6, 2024.

Applies to unoprostone ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

Other side effects

Some side effects of unoprostone ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• abnormal tearing of eyes
• burning or stinging of eyes
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• double vision
• dry eyes
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• itching of eyes
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• runny nose
• shivering
• sore throat
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Less common or rare side effects

• Discharge from eye
• inflammation of the eye
• redness, pain, swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
• sensitivity to light

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, unoprostone ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking unoprostone ophthalmic:

Less common side effects

• blood in the whites of the eyes
• blurred vision or eye pain
• eye irritation or redness

Rare side effects

• blindness
• color blindness
• decreased vision or other changes in vision

Other side effects

Some side effects of unoprostone ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• Feeling of having something in the eye
• increased or decreased length of eyelashes

Less common or rare side effects

• change in the color of the iris or eyelid
• increase in number of eyelashes
• difficulty seeing at night
• increased sensitivity of eyes to sunlight

For healthcare professionals

Applies to unoprostone ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were burning/stinging, dry eyes, itching, and increased length of eyelashes.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, increased cough, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Diabetes mellitus^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
• Postmarketing reports: Palpitations^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Postmarketing reports: Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Accidental injury, pain^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Burning/stinging, dry eyes, itching, increased length of eyelashes
• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal vision, eyelid disorder, foreign body sensation, lacrimation disorder, blepharitis, cataract, conjunctivitis, corneal lesion, discharge from the eye, eye hemorrhage, eye pain, keratitis, irritation, photophobia, vitreous disorder
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute elevated intraocular pressure, color blindness, corneal deposits, corneal edema, corneal opacity, diplopia, hyperpigmentation of the eyelid, increased number of eyelashes, iris hyperpigmentation, iritis, optic atrophy, ptosis, retinal hemorrhage, visual field defect, decrease in the length of eyelashes
• Postmarketing reports: Corneal erosion, chemosis^[Ref]

Unoprostone ophthalmic may change the eye color. This is caused by a gradual increase of the brown pigment in the iris. The change in iris color is slow and may not be noticeable for months.

When administered to animals for 12 months, one of ten animals exhibited increased pigmentation of the iris.

The manufacturer reports after 12 months of therapy an increased length in eyelashes (>= 1 mm) in approximately 10% to 14% of patients and a decreased length in eyelashes in 7% of patients.^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Flu-like syndrome^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia^[Ref]

Further information

Unoprostone ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer