tafluprost
Brand names: Zioptan
Tafluprost eye drops help lower pressure in the eye. It is used for people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$8.51/unit
Generic Price
$3.38/unit
Generic Savings
60%
Generic Available
Yes (3 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Tafluprost eye drops are used to lower high pressure inside your eye.
Common side effects
Redness of the eye, Eye stinging or irritation, Eye itching
Key warnings
Tafluprost can cause changes in the color of your iris (the colored part of your eye), eyelid, and eyelashes.
How It Works
Tafluprost is similar to a natural substance in your body called prostaglandin. It works by increasing the flow of fluid out of your eye. This helps to lower the pressure inside your eye.
How to Take It
Use one drop of tafluprost in the affected eye(s) once a day, in the evening. Do not use it more than once a day. Using it more often may make it less effective. If you are using other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using tafluprost. Use the solution right after opening the single-use container and throw away any remaining solution.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tafluprost may harm an unborn baby. Women who could become pregnant should use birth control while using this medicine. It is not known if tafluprost passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store unopened pouches in the refrigerator. Once opened, store pouches at room temperature for up to 30 days.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 2,353 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 2,845 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2010–2025.
Total Reports
2,845
Death-Related Reports
326
Hospitalization Reports
275
Top Indication
Glaucoma
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OCULAR HYPERAEMIA | 459 |
| 2 | EYE IRRITATION | 416 |
| 3 | EYE PAIN | 288 |
| 4 | EYE PRURITUS | 227 |
| 5 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 206 |
| 6 | DEATH | 197 |
| 7 | VISION BLURRED | 167 |
| 8 | HEADACHE | 164 |
| 9 | EYE SWELLING | 122 |
| 10 | DRY EYE | 107 |
| 11 | INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE INCREASED | 95 |
| 12 | PHOTOPHOBIA | 85 |
| 13 | LACRIMATION INCREASED | 74 |
| 14 | DIZZINESS | 69 |
| 15 | DYSPNOEA | 69 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Tafluprost can cause changes in the color of your iris (the colored part of your eye), eyelid, and eyelashes. The iris color change may be permanent. Eyelash changes, like increased length or thickness, are usually reversible when you stop using the medicine. Use with caution if you have active inflammation inside your eye, as it may worsen. Tafluprost may cause swelling in the back of the eye, especially if you have had cataract surgery or have other risk factors.
Common Questions
Can I use tafluprost more than once a day to lower my eye pressure faster?
What should I do if I wear contact lenses?
How long does it take for tafluprost to start working?
Can I use tafluprost with other eye drops?
What should I do if I experience eye irritation after using tafluprost?
Will tafluprost change my eye color?
Can tafluprost affect my eyelashes?
How should I store tafluprost?
What happens if tafluprost is exposed to high temperatures?
Is it safe to use tafluprost if I am pregnant?
What are the common side effects of tafluprost?
What drug class is tafluprost?
Is there a generic version of tafluprost?
Is tafluprost safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Prostaglandin Analog (Ophthalmic)
Other drugs grouped near tafluprost — same-class peers and common alternatives.
aflibercept
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bevacizumab (ophthalmic)
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bimatoprost
Lumigan
Bimatoprost eye drops help lower pressure in the eye.
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brimonidine ophthalmic
Alphagan P
Alphagan P eye drops help lower pressure in the eye.
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What the FDA Data Shows for tafluprost
The FDA label for tafluprost (sold under brand names such as Zioptan) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Prostaglandin Analog (Ophthalmic) class. Tafluprost eye drops are used to lower high pressure inside your eye. Official labeling lists 13 commonly reported side effects, including Redness of the eye, Eye stinging or irritation, Eye itching.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,353 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $3.38 versus $8.51 for the brand — a 60% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 4, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages