Compare pilocarpine vs. Travatan
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers eye pressure and constricts the pupil.
Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) is a very effective first choice medicine for treating high eye pressure to prevent the onset or worsening of glaucoma, but you may have to use up to 4 times daily.
Lowers eye pressure and controls glaucoma.
Travatan (travoprost) is a first-choice treatment to prevent and treat glaucoma because it's effective and has few side effects.
Upsides
- It takes about 1 hour for Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) to lower dangerously high eye pressure.
- It does not require dose adjustments in patients with liver or kidney problems.
- Available as a generic.
- It's easy to use, with one drop every evening.
- Travatan (travoprost) can be used with other eye drops for better results.
- The new formulation of Travatan (travoprost) is less irritating and can be stored at room temperature.
Downsides
- Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) causes the pupil of the eye to become smaller, which results in dim vision, particularly at night.
- Alternatives are easier to use than this medication, since it requires more drops throughout the day.
- Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) is a recommended choice, but it may not work for more serious conditions.
- Travatan (travoprost) can permanently darken your eyes and eyelids, even after you stop using it.
- Travatan (travoprost) can temporarily cause your eyelashes to grow longer, darker, and thicker – which may irritate your eyes.
- You'll need to wait 15 minutes after applying Travatan (travoprost) to put your contacts in.
- There's no generic option available, so it can be expensive.
Used for
- High pressure in the eye
- Glaucoma
- Prevention of high pressure in the eye after laser surgery
- Induction of miosis (pupil constriction)
- Ocular hypertension
- Glaucoma
Dosage forms
- Eye drops
- Eye drops
Price
Lowest price
$101.79
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$206.18
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Reviews
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Side effects
The Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
12possible side effects
- Red, dry eyes40%
- Eye pain7%
- Changes in eyesight7%
- Eye irritation7%
- Feeling like there's something in your eye7%
- Itchy eyes7%
- Eye/Eyelid inflammation2%
- Cataract2%
- Eye infections2%
- Darkening of the eyes/eyelids2%
- Dry eyes2%
- Increased sensitivity to light2%
Risks and risk factors
- Reduced visual acuity
- Retinal disease
- Retinal disease
- Increased intraocular pressure in children
- Use of Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) in pediatric patients
- Darkening of the eyes
- Long-term use
- Darkening of lashes
- Long-term use
- Darkening of contact lenses
- (Re)inserting contact lenses too soon after applying Travatan (travoprost)
- Eye injury or infection
- Sharing eye drops with others