Description
Travoprost is the Alcon trade name for fluprostenol isopropyl ester, an F-
series prostaglandin analog which has been approved for use as an ocular hypotensive drug.
1 Fluprostenol isopropyl ester is a prodrug which is converted by esterase enzymatic activity in the cornea to yield the corresponding free acid, fluprostenol.
2 5-
trans Fluprostenol is an impurity that is routinely found in bulk preparations of fluprostenol in amounts ranging from 1-
3%. This impurity occurs in the finished prodrug Travoprost in similar amounts. The pharmacology of 5-
trans fluprostenol has not been studied extensively to date.
References
1. Hellberg, M.R., Sallee, V.L., McLaughlin, M.A., et al.
Preclinical efficacy of travoprost, a potent and selective FP prostaglandin receptor agonist J. Ocul. Pharmacol. Ther. 17(5),421-432(2001).
2. Sorbera, L.A., and Casta?er, J.
Travoprost Drugs Future 25(1),41-45(2000).
