Travoprost Drug Interactions: What to Avoid and What to Tell Your Doctor

Travoprost is a topical eye drop with primarily local effects in the eye, which limits its systemic drug interactions. However, there are several clinically important interactions you and your doctor should know about — especially if you use other eye drops or take NSAIDs regularly. Here's a comprehensive guide.

The Most Important Interaction: Other Prostaglandin Analog Eye Drops

Severity: Major — Avoid Combination

Using travoprost together with any other prostaglandin analog eye drop — including latanoprost (Xalatan), bimatoprost (Lumigan), tafluprost (Zioptan), or latanoprostene bunod (Vyzulta) — is contraindicated. The combination does not provide additive IOP lowering; instead, it may actually decrease the IOP-lowering effect of both drugs, or paradoxically raise IOP. This occurs because FP receptor overstimulation leads to receptor desensitization.

This is critically important when switching: if your doctor replaces travoprost with latanoprost, stop travoprost completely before starting latanoprost. Do not use both at the same time, even temporarily during the transition.

NSAIDs (Anti-Inflammatory Pain Medications)

Severity: Moderate — Use With Caution / Monitor

NSAIDs — both systemic (oral) and topical ophthalmic — can have unpredictable effects on travoprost's IOP-lowering efficacy. Clinical reports are conflicting: some studies show NSAIDs increase IOP when combined with prostaglandin analogs, while others show decreased IOP. The mechanism is unclear.

NSAIDs to be aware of include:

Systemic: Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, sulindac, indomethacin, piroxicam, diflunisal, oxaprozin, salsalate

Ophthalmic NSAIDs: Ketorolac eye drops (Acular), flurbiprofen eye drops — these are sometimes used after eye surgeries

If you regularly take aspirin for cardiovascular protection or use NSAIDs for chronic pain, let your ophthalmologist know. They will monitor your IOP more closely while you're on both medications.

Other Ophthalmic Glaucoma Medications (Combinations Are Okay With Spacing)

Travoprost can be used together with other classes of glaucoma eye drops (non-prostaglandins) for additive IOP reduction. Common combinations include:

Travoprost + timolol (beta-blocker): A common and effective combination; DuoTrav is a fixed-dose combination of both in one bottle

Travoprost + brimonidine (alpha agonist): Additive IOP lowering with different mechanism

Travoprost + dorzolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor): Complementary mechanisms for patients needing greater pressure reduction

Rule: When using travoprost with any other eye drop, wait at least 5 minutes between applications to allow full absorption of each medication.

Contact Lenses and Preservatives

This isn't a drug-drug interaction per se, but it's important: some generic travoprost products contain benzalkonium chloride (BAK), which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause irritation. Remove contact lenses before applying travoprost. You can reinsert them 15 minutes after the drop.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Travoprost is Pregnancy Category C — meaning animal studies showed risk, and adequate human studies are not available. It should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit clearly outweighs the risk, as determined by your physician. Studies in lactating rats showed travoprost metabolites in milk; it is not known whether this occurs in humans. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, discuss this with your ophthalmologist and OB/GYN.

What to Tell Every Doctor You See

Because travoprost affects the eye rather than the whole body, it's often overlooked when compiling medication lists. Make sure to mention travoprost to:

Your ophthalmologist and optometrist (primary prescribers)

Your primary care physician (especially if they prescribe NSAIDs or anticoagulants)

Any surgeon, especially if you're having eye surgery (you may need to pause travoprost)

Your pharmacist, who can run a full drug interaction check

Learn more about travoprost side effects: Travoprost Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Call Your Doctor.

New to travoprost? Start with: What Is Travoprost? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026.