A Patient with Corneal Epithelial Disorder That Developed after Administration of a Latanoprost Generic, but Not a Brand-Name Drug, Eye Drop

摘要

Background. We report a patient who developed corneal epithelial disorder repeatedlyafter changing the prescription from Xalatan eye drops (Pfizer Inc.) to Latanoprosteye drops (Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), both containing 0.005% latanoprost.Case Report. An 88-year-old male with glaucoma had been treated with Timoptol eyedrops and Xalatan eye drops for a few years. While he stayed in a health carefacility for the elderly, Xalatan eye drops was changed to Latanoprost eye dropsusage, and eye pain developed on the day of this change. On the next day, he visitedour department, and corneal epithelial disorder was observed. The drops werediscontinued, and the corneal epithelial disorder healed after 2 days. Twenty days afterthe first consultation, Xalatan eye drops and Latanoprost eye drops were resumedby a physician of internal medicine in the health care facility, but eye pain developedagain. After discontinuation of the two drugs, Xalatan eye drops usage was resumedthe next day, but no corneal epithelial disorder was observed thereafter.Conclusions. This clinical history strongly suggested the association between ageneric drug, Latanoprost eye drops, and the development of corneal epithelialdisorder.