Comprehensive medication guide to Travatan Z including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay for generic travoprost depending on insurance tier (Tier 2–3 on most plans); Medicare Part D covers it with a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap as of 2026.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$150–$230 retail for generic travoprost (2.5 mL); as low as $28–$30 with a GoodRx coupon at participating pharmacies for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Travatan Z is the brand name for travoprost 0.004% ophthalmic solution — a prescription eye drop used to lower elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It belongs to the prostaglandin analog drug class and works by increasing the flow of aqueous fluid out of the eye through the uveoscleral pathway.
The FDA first approved travoprost (as Travatan) in 2001. The improved Travatan Z formulation, which uses a gentler sofZia ionic-buffered preservative instead of benzalkonium chloride (BAK), received FDA approval in 2006. Generic travoprost 0.004% is now widely available from multiple manufacturers including Mylan, Lupin, Apotex, Glenmark, Sagent, and Alembic.
In clinical trials, patients with baseline IOP of 25–27 mmHg who used travoprost once daily in the evening achieved 7–8 mmHg reductions in eye pressure — a clinically significant reduction that slows optic nerve damage progression. Travoprost is administered as one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening and is approved for patients 16 years of age and older.
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Travoprost is a synthetic prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) analog and an ester prodrug. When applied as an eye drop, it penetrates the cornea, where corneal enzymes rapidly convert it into its active form — travoprost free acid. This active compound acts as a highly selective agonist at prostaglandin F (FP) receptors located in the ciliary muscle and surrounding tissues of the eye.
Activation of FP receptors causes relaxation and remodeling of the ciliary muscle and extracellular matrix, significantly increasing uveoscleral outflow — an alternative drainage pathway for aqueous humor that bypasses the trabecular meshwork (the conventional but often dysfunctional drainage route in glaucoma). The result is a sustained reduction in intraocular pressure lasting 24 hours with once-daily dosing.
IOP reduction begins approximately 2 hours after the first instillation and reaches its peak effect at about 12 hours — which is why the medication is taken in the evening to ensure maximum efficacy aligns with the morning hours when IOP is typically at its highest. Travoprost free acid is rapidly eliminated from plasma with a half-life of approximately 45 minutes, explaining its minimal systemic effects.
0.004% (0.04 mg/mL) — ophthalmic solution
Standard concentration; 1 drop in affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. Available in 2.5 mL and 5 mL bottles.
0.003% — ophthalmic solution
Lower concentration available under brand name Izba (travoprost 0.003%) — less commonly prescribed than the standard 0.004% formulation.
Travatan Z (travoprost) is not in a national shortage as of 2026. The FDA's drug shortage database does not list it, and national supply is robust with seven or more manufacturers actively producing the medication. Despite adequate national supply, patients frequently encounter stock gaps at individual pharmacies due to single-supplier dependencies, distributor delays, and low-volume stocking decisions at local pharmacy locations.
Medfinder gives travoprost a findability score of 82 out of 100 — meaning it's generally available nationally, but local stocking gaps are common enough that patients routinely need to search beyond their usual pharmacy. Chain pharmacies are more likely to experience simultaneous stock gaps (all branches sourcing from one distributor), while independent pharmacies often have stock when chains don't.
If your pharmacy is out of travoprost, medfinder calls local pharmacies on your behalf and texts you which ones have it in stock — no hold music, no repeated phone calls needed.
Travatan Z (travoprost) is not a controlled substance and carries no DEA scheduling restrictions, so any licensed prescriber in the United States can legally prescribe it. However, because the underlying conditions it treats (glaucoma and ocular hypertension) require specialized diagnostic equipment for diagnosis and monitoring, prescriptions are almost always issued by eye care specialists.
Telehealth is generally not appropriate for initial glaucoma diagnosis, as it requires in-person testing (tonometry, optic nerve evaluation, visual field testing). However, some telehealth platforms can support remote management of established, stable glaucoma patients between in-person visits.
No. Travatan Z (travoprost) is not a controlled substance and carries no DEA scheduling restrictions. Unlike stimulants, opioids, or certain anxiety medications, travoprost has no abuse potential and does not require DEA-compliant prescribing procedures.
Any licensed prescriber in the United States can legally prescribe travoprost — including ophthalmologists, optometrists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. There are no mandatory refill restrictions, electronic prescribing requirements, or prior prescription limits associated with travoprost's non-controlled status. Prescriptions may be telephoned, faxed, or sent electronically, and prescribers may authorize refills as clinically appropriate.
The most common side effect of travoprost is ocular hyperemia (eye redness), occurring in 30–50% of patients. Other commonly reported effects include:
Serious side effects (contact your doctor immediately):
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Latanoprost (Xalatan)
Closest alternative; same prostaglandin class (FP agonist); comparable IOP reduction (6–8 mmHg); once daily evening dosing; generic available at $8–15 with GoodRx — significantly cheaper than travoprost. Most commonly prescribed prostaglandin globally.
Bimatoprost (Lumigan)
Once-daily prostamide; may provide slightly greater IOP reduction (1–2 mmHg more than latanoprost/travoprost in some studies); higher redness rate; generic available (~$35–50 with discount card). Also available as Durysta intracameral implant.
Tafluprost (Zioptan)
Only preservative-free prostaglandin analog; available in single-use vials; ideal for patients with ocular surface disease, dry eye, or BAK sensitivity. Comparable IOP reduction to travoprost. Generic available; typically higher cost than latanoprost.
Timolol (Timoptic)
Beta-blocker eye drop; reduces aqueous production (different mechanism from prostaglandins); twice daily dosing; among cheapest glaucoma medications (<$15 with discount card). Contraindicated in asthma, COPD, bradycardia, and heart block.
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Latanoprost (Xalatan)
majorAvoid concurrent use. Combined use of two or more prostaglandin analogs may decrease IOP-lowering efficacy or cause paradoxical IOP elevation due to FP receptor competition or downregulation. Do not use simultaneously.
Bimatoprost (Lumigan)
majorAvoid concurrent use. Same interaction mechanism as latanoprost — dual prostaglandin use reduces effectiveness and may paradoxically raise IOP.
Tafluprost (Zioptan)
majorAvoid concurrent use. Combined prostaglandin analog use not recommended due to risk of reduced efficacy or IOP elevation.
NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ophthalmic NSAIDs)
moderateUse with caution. Conflicting clinical data on the interaction between NSAIDs and prostaglandin analogs — some reports show increased IOP, others decreased IOP. Monitor IOP closely when combining.
Latanoprostene bunod (Vyzulta)
majorAvoid concurrent use. Combined use of two prostaglandin analogs may reduce IOP-lowering effect or paradoxically elevate IOP.
Travatan Z (travoprost) is a highly effective, well-established first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Its once-daily evening dosing, strong IOP reduction of 7–8 mmHg, and well-understood safety profile make it a reliable long-term glaucoma therapy. The availability of multiple generic manufacturers ensures continued access and keeps pricing competitive.
Key points to remember: consistency is essential — missed doses allow IOP to rebound and can lead to irreversible optic nerve damage. The iris color change that travoprost can cause may be permanent, so this should be discussed with your eye doctor before starting therapy. For patients sensitive to BAK preservatives, brand Travatan Z or newer ionic-buffered generics (Glenmark, Alembic) offer a gentler alternative.
If you're having trouble finding travoprost at your local pharmacy, medfinder can call pharmacies near you and text you which ones have it in stock — making sure a local inventory gap never becomes a gap in your glaucoma treatment.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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