Two medicines, side by side
Dorzolamide vs latanoprost
Dorzolamide and latanoprost are both labeled for glaucoma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dorzolamide since 1994 and of latanoprost since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.835 per mL (Dorzolamide HCl 2% eye drops) and $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and latanoprost a prostaglandin analog.
Check it at the source: the dorzolamide FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 29, 2026); the latanoprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 18, 2025).
Highlights of the dorzolamide record
Dorzolamide (Trusopt) · label of June 29, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsDorzolamide hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is indicated in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. Dorzolamide hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 9, 1994
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.835 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the latanoprost record
Latanoprost (Xalatan) · label of December 18, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsXELPROS (latanoprost ophthalmic emulsion) 0.005% is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. XELPROS is a prostaglandin F 2α analog indicated for reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma, or ocular hypertension.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 5, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.58 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dorzolamide label of June 29, 2026, Latanoprost label of December 18, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dorzolamide and latanoprost differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and latanoprost a prostaglandin analog.
How each works, in its label's words: Dorzolamide, “Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an enzyme found in many tissues of the body including the eye.”; Latanoprost, “Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor.”
Generics: dorzolamide since 2008; latanoprost since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dorzolamide | Latanoprost | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Glaucoma | Glaucoma |
| Pharmacologic class | Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor | Prostaglandin Analog |
| How it works (label) | Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an enzyme found in many tissues of the body including the eye. It catalyzes the reversible reaction involving the hydration of carbon dioxide and the dehydration of carbonic acid. | Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 9, 1994 | June 5, 1996 |
| First generic approved | October 28, 2008 | March 22, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 14 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.835 per mL (Dorzolamide HCl 2% eye drops) | $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -16% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,938 | 50,627 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to dorzolamide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions