Compare Zioptan vs. pilocarpine
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers eye pressure and controls glaucoma.
Zioptan (tafluprost) is often a first choice treatment for lowering eye pressure to prevent and treat glaucoma, but is preservative-free so it has special storage instructions.
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.
Upsides
- Easy to use, with single-use containers and one drop daily in the evening.
- Can use with other eye drops, if needed for better results.
- Zioptan (tafluprost) is the only medicine in its class without preservatives, which may be less irritating to the eye.
- 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.
Downsides
- Zioptan (tafluprost) can permanently change your eyes and eyelids to brown, even after you stop using it.
- Zioptan (tafluprost) may darken and increase the length, thickness and number of eyelashes, irritating the eyes.
- No generic available, so can be expensive.
- Is preservative-free so it should only be used 30 days after opening.
- 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.
Used for
- Ocular hypertension
- Glaucoma
- High pressure in the eye
- Glaucoma
- Prevention of high pressure in the eye after laser surgery
- Induction of miosis (pupil constriction)
Dosage forms
- Eye drops
- Eye drops
Price
Lowest price
$171.64
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$100.91
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Side effects
The Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- 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 Zioptan (tafluprost)
- Eye injury/infection
- Sharing eye drops with others
- Reduced visual acuity
- Retinal disease
- Retinal disease
- Increased intraocular pressure in children
- Use of Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) in pediatric patients