Two medicines, side by side
Latanoprost vs tafluprost
Latanoprost and tafluprost are both labeled for glaucoma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of latanoprost since 1996 and of tafluprost since 2012. Pharmacies paid $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) and $2.45 per unit (Tafluprost 0.0015% eye drop) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Latanoprost, “Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor.”; Tafluprost, “Tafluprost acid, a prostaglandin analog is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist which is believed to reduce intraocular pressure by increasing uveoscleral outflow.”
Check it at the source: the latanoprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 18, 2025); the tafluprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 23, 2026).
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
Highlights of the tafluprost record
Tafluprost (Zioptan) · label of April 23, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsZIOPTAN® is indicated for reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. ZIOPTAN is a prostaglandin analog indicated for reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 10, 2012
- Generic labelers
- 3 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $2.45 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Latanoprost label of December 18, 2025, Tafluprost label of April 23, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do latanoprost and tafluprost differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Latanoprost, “Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor.”; Tafluprost, “Tafluprost acid, a prostaglandin analog is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist which is believed to reduce intraocular pressure by increasing uveoscleral outflow.”
Both are in FDA's class prostaglandin analogs.
Generics: latanoprost since 2011; tafluprost since 2019 (Drugs@FDA).
| Latanoprost | Tafluprost | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Glaucoma | Glaucoma |
| Pharmacologic class | Prostaglandin Analog | Prostaglandin Analog |
| How it works (label) | Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor. | Tafluprost acid, a prostaglandin analog is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist which is believed to reduce intraocular pressure by increasing uveoscleral outflow. The exact mechanism of action is unknown at this time. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 5, 1996 | February 10, 2012 |
| First generic approved | March 22, 2011 | August 19, 2019 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 3 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) | $2.45 per unit (Tafluprost 0.0015% eye drop) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -16% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 50,627 | 2,906 |
| 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 latanoprost
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions