Wider use of prostaglandin analogues is limited by unwanted side effects and their
abortive potential.[citation needed]
Uses
Prostaglandin analogues such as
misoprostol are used in treatment of
duodenal and
gastric ulcers.[2] Misoprostol and other prostaglandin analogues protect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract from harmful stomach acid and are especially indicated for the
elderly on continuous doses of
NSAIDs.
In the field of
ophthalmology, drugs of this class are used to lower
intraocular pressure (IOP) in people with
glaucoma. Up until the late 1970s prostaglandins were thought to raise IOP, but a paper published in 1977 showed that
prostaglandin F2α lowered it, and subsequent studies found that this was due to increasing the outflow of
aqueous humor, mainly by relaxing the
ciliary muscle, and possibly also due to changes in
extracellular matrix and to widening of spaces within the
trabecular meshwork.[1] This work led to the development of
prodrugs of PGF2α, including
latanoprost, an isopropyl analogue of PGF2α, approved by the FDA in 1996,
bimatoprost and
travoprost, both approved in 2001, and
tafluprost, approved in 2012.[1] However, there are notable side effects associated with usage, including increased eyelash growth, pigmentation of the iris, and darkening of the skin around the eye.[3]
^Zajac, P; Holbrook, A; Super, ME; Vogt, M (March–April 2013). "An overview: Current clinical guidelines for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and management of dyspepsia". Osteopathic Family Physician. 5 (2): 79–85.
doi:
10.1016/j.osfp.2012.10.005.