Unoprostone

Generic name: Unoprostone
Brand name: Rescula
Drug class: Ophthalmic glaucoma agents

Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.

What is unoprostone?

Unoprostone is a prescription medicine that is used to treat glaucoma. It is used to lower high eye pressure.

Description

Rescula (unoprostone isopropyl) Ophthalmic Solution 0.15% is a synthetic docosanoid. Unoprostone isopropyl has the chemical name isopropyl (+)-(Z)-7-[(1R,2R,3R,5S)-3,5dihydroxy-2-(3-oxodecyl)cyclopentyl]-5-heptenoate. Its molecular formula is C₂₅H₄₄O₅ and its chemical structure is:

Unoprostone isopropyl is a clear, colorless, viscous liquid that is very soluble in acetonitrile, ethanol, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, dioxane, ether, and hexane. It is practically insoluble in water. Rescula (unoprostone isopropyl ophthalmic solution) 0.15% is supplied as a sterile, isotonic, buffered, aqueous solution of unoprostone isopropyl with a pH of 5.0–6.5 and an osmolality of 235–300 mOsmol/kg.

Each mL of Rescula contains 1.5 mg of unoprostone isopropyl. Benzalkonium chloride 0.015% is added as a preservative. Inactive ingredients are mannitol, polysorbate 80, edetate disodium, sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH), and water for injection.

Before taking unoprostone, tell your doctor:

If you are allergic to unoprostone; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take unoprostone with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take unoprostone?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take unoprostone. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Use care when driving or doing other tasks that call for clear eyesight.
Have your eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using unoprostone while you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is unoprostone best taken?

Use unoprostone as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

For the eye only.
Wash your hands before and after use.
Take out contact lenses before using unoprostone. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after unoprostone is given. Do not put contacts back in if your eyes are irritated or infected.
Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your eye.
If more than 1 drug is being used in the same eye, use each drug at least 5 minutes apart.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of unoprostone that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
If bright lights bother your eyes.
Eye discharge.

What are some other side effects of unoprostone?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Dry eyes.
Burning.
Stinging.
Itching.
Eye irritation.
Eyelash growth.
Feeling that something is in the eye.
Flu-like signs.
Eye color may change with use. This medicine may raise the brown pigment. Dark eyelashes and skin around the eye may also happen. These changes may be long-lasting.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out unoprostone?

Store at room temperature.
Keep lid tightly closed.
Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

SRC: NLM .

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