Prostaglandin F2α analogue (preservative-free) Pregnancy: Must not be used in women of childbearing age/potential unless adequate contraceptive measures are in place. Should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary (where no other treatment options are available) — tafluprost can have harmful pharmacologic effects on pregnancy and/or the foetus/newborn, and animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity. Should not be used during breastfeeding.

Tafluprost

Brand names: Saflutan

Tafluprost is a topical prostaglandin analogue eye drop used to lower intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: One drop in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening

Route: Ophthalmic (topical, into the conjunctival sac)

Frequency: Once daily, in the evening

Max: The dose should not exceed once daily — more frequent administration may lessen the intraocular pressure lowering effect

SPC fetched is Saflutan 15 micrograms/ml eye drops, solution. Elderly: no dosage alteration necessary. Paediatric population: the safety and efficacy of tafluprost in children below age 18 has not yet been established; no data are available (no per-kg dose stated). Renal/hepatic impairment: tafluprost has not been studied in these patients and should therefore be used with caution. Administration: to prevent contamination, patients should not touch their eyelids, surrounding areas or any other surfaces with the applicator tip; remove residual liquid at the dropper tip immediately by shaking the bottle once downwards; do not touch or wipe the dropper tip. To reduce the risk of darkening of the eyelid skin, patients should wipe off any excess solution from the skin. Nasolacrimal occlusion or gently closing the eyelid after administration is recommended and may reduce systemic absorption. There will be a residual volume of approximately 1 ml which cannot be dosed — the patient should not try to empty the bottle. If more than one topical ophthalmic medicinal product is being used, each one should be administered at least 5 minutes apart. Before treatment is initiated, patients should be informed of the possibility of eyelash growth, darkening of the eyelid skin and increased iris pigmentation — some of these changes may be permanent, and in unilateral treatment the risk of lifelong heterochromia is obvious.

Dose adjustments

Renal

Not studied in patients with renal impairment — should be used with caution in such patients.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients

Side effects

Conjunctival/ocular hyperaemia — the most frequently reported treatment-related event, in approximately 13% of patients in European and US studies with preserved tafluprost (common)
Changes in eyelashes (increased length, thickness and number of lashes) and eyelash discolouration; hypertrichosis of the eyelid (uncommon)
Increased iris pigmentation (common); blepharal pigmentation (uncommon)
Eye pruritus, eye irritation, eye pain, dry eye, foreign body sensation, superficial punctate keratitis, photophobia, increased lacrimation, blurred vision, reduced visual acuity (common)
Headache (common)
Not known: iritis/uveitis, deepened lid sulcus, macular oedema/cystoid macular oedema, exacerbation of asthma, dyspnoea

Interactions

No interactions are anticipated in humans, since systemic concentrations of tafluprost are extremely low following ocular dosing; specific interaction studies have not been performed
In clinical studies tafluprost was used concomitantly with timolol without evidence of interaction

Clinical monograph

How it works

As a selective prostaglandin F2-alpha receptor agonist it lowers intraocular pressure mainly by increasing uveoscleral outflow of aqueous humour.

Prescribing in practice

It can cause gradual, often permanent changes including increased brown iris pigmentation, eyelid skin darkening and eyelash lengthening, which should be explained particularly when only one eye is treated.
Prostaglandin analogues may cause or worsen intraocular inflammation and should be used with caution in patients with active uveitis or risk of macular oedema.
Tafluprost is available in preservative-free form, which is useful for patients with ocular surface disease or preservative intolerance.

Monitoring

Intraocular pressure should be monitored to confirm response, with periodic assessment for iris/periocular pigmentary change and ocular surface tolerability.

Counselling the patient

Instil once daily, usually in the evening, and use it regularly even though glaucoma has no symptoms.
Iris colour, eyelid skin and eyelashes may darken or change, especially if only one eye is treated.
Vision may blur briefly after instillation.

Evidence & guidelines

Prostaglandin analogues are recommended by NICE as a first-line option for lowering intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Reference: NICE NG81; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways