Recent Travatan News & Information

Approved in 2000, Travatan is a popular drug used to lower increased intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension patients. The drug is also alleged to have adverse side effects like cardiovascular, dermatological, gastrointestinal, and back issues. So far, there are no known lawsuits brought against Alcon, the manufacturer. If you have been diagnosed with these effects, it is advisable to seek legal assistance.

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Medications are best-known as substances that can induce positive change in one’s body. For instance, they can treat, diagnose, or prevent a health condition from developing. Every medication must be approved before it’s used. This is to ensure they don’t result in adverse effects on the population. However, most drugs are capable of causing life-changing and life-altering effects that its mere approval does not guarantee patient safety. Most patients are left with no choice but to sue the manufacturing companies of these drugs once they develop various disabilities.

To be on the safe side, patients need to understand what side-effects come with the use of various drugs. We at Consumer Alert Now will inform you all you need to know about possible dangerous medications on the market. We will also help you take legal action if a dangerous drug injures you. This article focuses on Travatan and how to take legal action if affected by the drug.

Travatan Definition

Travatan, also commonly known by its generic name as Travoprost, is a medicine belonging to a category of drugs called prostaglandin analogues. It is a clear, colorless to yellowish oil which dissolves in methanol, acetonitrile, chloroform, and octane, and does not dissolve in water. Travoprost is the active ingredient in Travatan. Other ingredients include propylene glycol, boric acid, zinc chloride, sorbitol, purified water, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide. The medicine is preserved in bottles that have an ionic-cushioned system.

Travatan Approval

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Travoprost in 2000. The medicine was approved to lower increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in people with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. The drug works well for patients that are intolerant of other medications that lower IOP. Additionally, it is more useful to those that are inadequately responsive to any other IOP-reducing medication.

Travatan was tried in three phases before being presented to the FDA. It was tested in eight controlled medical trials that consisted of over 1,800 patients who were dosed with the drug once each day in the evening for about twelve months. In the studies, Travatan reduced IOP to approximately 9mm Hg.

Travatan Approved Uses

Travatan drug is used to lower the pressure in the eye for patients that have open-angle glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye (ocular hypertension). It also may be used to treat other conditions apart from the two.  Travatan begins to reduce the pressure in the eye about two hours after its use.

Fluid continuously forms and therefore, should be drained continuously out of the eyes if the fluid in the eye doesn’t drain out properly, the pressure in the eyes increases. The work of Travatan is to increase the fluid amount that flows out of the eyes.

Dosage

Follow all the instructions on the label of the medicine bottle when using. The recommended dose is a single drop of Travatan in the sick eye once every day in the evenings. Don’t administer the medicine in smaller or larger amounts, or for a longer time than the doctor recommends. Also, don’t use the dose more than one time a day. This is because studies have proven that more repeated use of prostaglandin analog drugs may significantly lower their effectiveness.

As we mentioned before, the lowering of intraocular pressure begins approximately two hours after administering Travatan. The maximum effect is reached after twelve hours of administration. Travatan can be administered alongside other topical ophthalmic drugs to reduce intraocular pressure. If two or more topical ophthalmic drugs are used, the medication has to be used at least five minutes apart.

Step by Step Use

  • Clean your hands before using this medicine.
  • Remove and place the cap in an uncontaminated location.
  • Tilt your head in a way to look to the ceiling
  • Using the index finger, slightly pull down your lower eyelid to create a pocket
  • Squeeze a drop of the medicine into the pocket.
  • Close the eye for three minutes with your head still tilted. Do not blink. Gently press the inner corner of your eye with your finger for one minute. This helps to prevent the medicine from draining through your tear duct into your bloodstream. If this happens, it could lead to various adverse effects.
  • Clean your hands after the procedure to get rid of any medication.

Note that you should not let the tip of the dropper come into contact with any surface, be it your eye or skin. If the dropper is contaminated, it can result in bacterial infections.

Travatan Missed Dose and Overdose Information

If you missed a dose of Travoprost, skip the dose, and administer the medication during the next slated time.  Don’t use more than one drop in an attempt to cover the dose you missed. Overdosing on Travatan has not been reported to be dangerous. However, if you overdose, seek medical help from your physician. Also, if you accidentally swallow the medicine, you should call your doctor as soon as possible.

Side Effects

Medical Trials

Since medical trials are done under different conditions, adverse rates of reaction recorded in the medical trials of one drug can’t be compared to reaction rates on another medication. The most common adverse side-effects observed in medical trials of Travatan included ocular hyperemia. This reaction was observed in about 50% of the patients. About 3% of the patients discontinued therapy after developing conjunctival hyperemia. About 10% of the ocular negative effect reported in these medical trials included eye discomfort, a decrease in visual acuity, pain, pruritus, and foreign body sensation.

About 4% of patients that had ocular adverse effects had the following:

  • Blepharitis
  • Abnormal vision
  • Cataract
  • Blurred vision
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Dry eye
  • Corneal staining
  • Keratitis
  • Iris discoloration
  • Ocular inflammation
  • Subconjunctival hemorrhage
  • Photophobia

Non-ocular adverse effects recorded in up to 5% of the patients in these medical trials were:

  • Angina pectoris
  • Back pain
  • Bronchitis
  • Arthritis
  • Bradycardia
  • Flu/cold syndrome
  • Chest pain
  • Dyspepsia
  • Depression
  • Gastrointestinal disorder
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Headache
  • Hypotension
  • Hypertension
  • Prostate disorder
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Sinusitis

Additional adverse reactions were reported after the approval of Travatan. Since these reactions were reported willingly from an unknown size of the population, it is unclear how many people were affected. Depending on the frequency of reporting, common reactions included vomiting, arrhythmia, and insomnia. Additionally, lid changes like deepening of the eyelid sulcus were observed.

You should seek emergency medical care if you experience any of the above signs. Also, seek medical attention if you experience any allergic reactions. The allergic reactions related to the use of this medicine include swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, or face, difficulty in breathing, abdominal cramps, hives, and nausea & vomiting. Stop using Travatan and contact your doctor immediately in case you experience:

  • Eye redness, swelling, severe discomfort, drainage or crusting (these might be symptoms of an infection)
  • Swollen, itchy or red eyelids
  • Anxiety
  • Increased light sensitivity
  • Severe stinging, irritation, or burning after using the medicine
  • Change in vision
  • Changes in blood pressure
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Eye injury or pain
  • Depression signs, which include a change in weight, poor concentration, suicide thoughts, a change in sleep patterns, reduced interest in activities.

To ensure that Travatan is safe for use, inform your physician in case you have at one point in your life you have had:

  • Infection or swelling in your eye
  • An injury affecting the eye lens or eye surgery
  • Retinal detachment

Warnings Against Travatan

Pigmentation

There have been reports of Travatan causing changes to the pigmentation of tissues. Commonly reported changes include an increase in iris, eyelid, and eyelashes pigmentation. Increased pigmentation is anticipated so long as a patient is using Travatan. Change in pigmentation occurs because of an increase in melanin content. After you stop using Travatan, iris pigmentation will most likely be permanent. On the other hand, studies have shown that eyelash changes and eyelid pigmentation are reversible in a few patients.

Doctors should warn any patient using Travatan of the likelihood of an increase in pigmentation. The long-term effects of an increase in pigmentation have not been reported. Change in iris color might not be visible until after months or years pass. Usually, the pigmentation surrounding the pupil (brown) spreads toward the iris’ periphery. After it spreads, the whole iris turns brownish.

However, treatment by Travatan doesn’t affect either the freckles or nevi of the iris. While patients who experience an increase in iris pigmentation can continue using Travatan, it is recommended that the patients be examined more often.

Intraocular inflammation

Patients that have active intraocular inflammation, for example, uveitis, should be cautious when using Travatan because the condition may be aggravated.

Changes in eyelashes

Travoprost can slowly change vellus hair and eyelashes of the eye that is treated. The changes include an increase in length, number of eyelashes, and thickness. A change in eyelashes is usually reversible after a person discontinues the treatment.

Macular Edema

The macular edema condition has been observed during the use of Travatan. Pseudophakic patients with a torn posterior lens capsule, aphakic patients, or patients that have known macular edema risk factors have to be cautious when using Travatan.

Bacterial Keratitis

Bacterial keratitis has been reported because of using multiple-dosage containers of Travatan. The patients who had inadvertently contaminated these containers had an ocular epithelial surface disorder or simultaneous corneal disease.

Using Travatan with contact Lenses

If you use contact lenses, you should first remove them before administering Travatan. This is because the medicine contains a preservative that may discolor the lenses. You can reinsert the lenses fifteen minutes after using the drug.

Use of Travoprost in Certain Populations

Pregnant Women

This medicine shouldn’t be used by pregnant women or women planning to get pregnant. In case you conceive while on this medication, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Studies conducted in rats and mice have indicated that using this medicine during pregnancy may lead to an increase in external and visceral deformities as well as skeletal deformities in infants.  These deformities include domed head, fused sternebrae, and hydrocephalus.  

Additionally, this medicine may lead to increased chances of post-implantation losses. It also causes decreased fetal viability. There is also a reported increase in postnatal mortality and a decrease in neonatal body weight gain for the offspring of women who use Travatan. Also, neonatal growth in these offspring is affected. This is proven by pinna detachment, preputial separation, and delayed opening of the eyes.

Thus, pregnant women should only use Travatan in case the possible benefit to them justifies the potential risks to their infants.

Breast-feeding mothers

It’s not reported if Travatan passes in breast milk. For breast-feeding mothers using this medication, it may affect the baby. Consult a doctor on whether to continue using this medicine while breast-feeding.

Children

It’s not recommended to use this medicine in children below 16 years. This is because of possible safety concerns linked to the increase in pigmentation. Increased pigmentation is mostly caused when the medication is used long-term.

Use in Older people

There is no known difference in effectiveness or safety observed between adult patients or other elderly when using Travatan.

Renal and hepatic impairment

The use of Travatan was studied for patients that have hepatic impairment as well as renal impairment. There were no relevant changes as far as blood chemistry and hematology were concerned. 

Also, you should not use Travoprost in case you have allergic reactions to the medicine or its ingredients.

Travatan Drug Interactions

There can be drug interaction between Travatan and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops. If you’re on these medicines, talk to your physician. Based on the specific conditions, your physician may need you to:

  • Change either of the drugs to another
  • Stop using either of the drugs
  • Change the way you are using either or both medicines
  • Leave everything the way it is

Interaction between two drugs doesn’t always mean you have to stop using one. Consult with your doctor about how you should manage Travan drug interaction. 

Apart from the medicines mentioned above, other drugs may also interact with Travatan. Inform your physician about all the non-prescription (over-the-counter) and prescription drugs you are using. Also, inform them if you are on any supplements. Since alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine can affect how many drugs work, you have to inform your doctor in case you are using them.

Travoprost Mass Torts and Other Lawsuits

So far, there are no known mass torts or lawsuits filed against Travatan or its manufacturer (Alcon). However, in the long run. Adverse effects like back pain, gastrointestinal, dermatological, and cardiovascular disorders may result in the formation of mass torts or other lawsuits against Travatan. We recommend that patients with permanent or life-changing effects after Travatan use seek help. They can talk to an attorney who can help them file a lawsuit, and together they can form a mass tort, so their needs are addressed with ease.

Mass torts are civil lawsuits involving several complainants against one or several defendants (mostly pharmacies).  These lawsuits are advantageous over suits filed individually since you have all the best attorneys on your side. The involved attorneys work collectively to resolve the lawsuits and obtain the best possible results. Mass torts improve efficiency through discovery and the pretrial process, which helps to solve the cases on time.

A mass tort claim against Travatan will be filed when several patients come forward claiming to be harmed by the medicine. A mass tort formation enables a victim to sue a powerful defendant. Thus, he/she will get the justice that he/she would not have received if he/she filed the lawsuit sing-handedly. It also compels large pharmaceutical companies to take responsibility for their negligent actions that resulted in harm for other people.

Typically, the lawsuits that different plaintiffs file separately are merged into one and presented before one court or judge. The attorneys representing the plaintiffs then conduct Travatan-related investigations once, instead of conducting several investigations by each plaintiff.

Before it becomes a mass tort claim, it may begin as a speculation, a warning, or awareness. New studies may be conducted, which reveal high risks of Travatan. Also, attorneys may launch an investigation of the drug to find any details that don’t seem right. A mass tort is then formed when several attorneys, plaintiffs, and experts join the course. A mass tort helps ease the work of the courts. This is because it enables them to manage several related lawsuits filed in several different states.

A court or judge will agree to preside over a mass tort if the lawsuits are useful to the witnesses and other involved parties. The mass tort claim also has to be encouraging to other plaintiffs to take similar action. Also, a mass tort involves at least one general subject of fact. The court or judge to which the mass tort claim is brought has jurisdiction over the case and everything it involves. The case can be dismissed or disposed by summary judgment. Additionally, the court/judge has control over the scope of discovery and how fast or slow discovery takes place.

Mass torts lawsuits treat plaintiffs distinctively, though they are still part of the bigger group. Thus, each complainant’s facts will be recognized and addressed. What will also be addressed will be the precise damages a complainant suffered because of the negligent actions of the defendant.

Joining a Mass Tort

If you have been harmed by a drug and are seeking to join a mass tort claim, you can contact your local plaintiff’s bar.  Here, you will find out if there is a law firm you could be referred to. However, the best step you can take is to talk to a mass tort attorney in person. The attorney will investigate your case to see if it is viable to have you join a mass tort.

Statute of Limitations for Joining a Mass Tort

The period you have to join a mass tort varies depending on the analysis of the case. Few states have a discovery rule. A discovery rule provides that first, you have to know that a particular drug harmed or you should have known that through reasonable diligence. Thus, you cannot speculate that a drug injured you and go on to file a lawsuit without first investigating if that’s the case.

States that have discovery rules hold or toll the statute of limitations until the time where you either knew or you should’ve known that you had a worthwhile claim. After you have known, the statute of limitations begins from this point. Based on the state you reside in, you may have one to four years from the time you discovered you were injured to join a mass tort.

The damages recovered after a mass tort claim is specific to the injuries each plaintiff sustained. Even if the plaintiffs are awarded the same amount of damages, you can still get the compensation that matches your injuries if they were severe.

Mass torts are not similar to personal injury lawsuits. For a personal injury lawsuit, you will be going against a large company that has several experienced attorneys representing them. Here, the chances of winning will be very slim. For a mass tort claim, you will be represented by a group of attorneys, thereby, increasing the chances of winning.

Since a mass tort involves many plaintiffs and damages that slightly differ based on the specific case, your attorney has to understand your case individually. Also, hire an attorney that will advocate for you throughout the process.

Find a Dangerous Drug Attorney Near Me

Quite a number of the Travatan side effects we have looked at are life-changing. Some of them might not be evident right away; they may only surface after great harm has been done. When much damage is done, it may be impossible to get your healthy life back. Thus, the only thing left to do is seek justice and try to recover what you have lost and are still losing. The best way to get justice is to join a mass tort lawsuit. If you need help getting justice, contact Consumer Alert Now at 800-511-0747. We will review your case.  If you are eligible to join a mass tort claim, we will assign you the best-experienced mass tort attorney to help you out.