Two medicines, side by side
Travoprost vs latanoprost
Travoprost and latanoprost are both labeled for glaucoma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of travoprost since 2001 and of latanoprost since 1996. Pharmacies paid $9.07 per mL (Travoprost 0.004% eye drop) 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. How each works, in its label's words: Travoprost, “Travoprost free acid, a prostaglandin analog is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist, which is believed to reduce IOP by increasing uveoscleral outflow.”; Latanoprost, “Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor.”
Check it at the source: the travoprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 31, 2025); the latanoprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 18, 2025).
Highlights of the travoprost record
Travoprost (Travatan) · label of January 31, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTRAVATAN Z ® (travoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.004% is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. TRAVATAN Z is a prostaglandin analog indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 16, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 11 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $9.07 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 3
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 (Travoprost label of January 31, 2025, Latanoprost label of December 18, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do travoprost and latanoprost differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Travoprost, “Travoprost free acid, a prostaglandin analog is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist, which is believed to reduce IOP by increasing uveoscleral outflow.”; Latanoprost, “Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor.”
Both are in FDA's class prostaglandin analogs.
Generics: travoprost since 2013; latanoprost since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Travoprost | Latanoprost | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Glaucoma | Glaucoma |
| Pharmacologic class | Prostaglandin Analog | Prostaglandin Analog |
| How it works (label) | Travoprost free acid, a prostaglandin analog is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist, which is believed to reduce IOP by increasing uveoscleral outflow. The exact mechanism of action is unknown at this time. | 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) | From these studies, travoprost is estimated to have a plasma half-life of 45 minutes. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 16, 2001 | June 5, 1996 |
| First generic approved | March 1, 2013 | March 22, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 14 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $9.07 per mL (Travoprost 0.004% eye drop) | $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -17% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,609 | 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 travoprost
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions