Two medicines, side by side
Latanoprost vs timolol
Latanoprost and timolol are both labeled for glaucoma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of latanoprost since 1996 and of timolol since 1978. Pharmacies paid $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) and $0.774 per mL (Timolol maleate 0.5% eye drops) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog and timolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the latanoprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 18, 2025); the timolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 27, 2025).
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 timolol record
Timolol (Timoptic) · label of June 27, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsBetimol ® is indicated in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 17, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.774 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 20
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Latanoprost label of December 18, 2025, Timolol label of June 27, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do latanoprost and timolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog and timolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Generics: latanoprost since 2011; timolol since 1989 (Drugs@FDA).
| Latanoprost | Timolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Glaucoma | Glaucoma, High blood pressure, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Prostaglandin Analog | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| 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. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The half-life of timolol in plasma is approximately 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 5, 1996 | August 17, 1978 |
| First generic approved | March 22, 2011 | April 13, 1989 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) | $0.774 per mL (Timolol maleate 0.5% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 20 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 50,627 | 9,878 |
| 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