Uses
What is bimatoprost used for?
Bimatoprost (Latisse) is commonly used to treat hypotrichosis of the eyelashes, which is a condition where there is not enough or few eyelashes. Bimatoprost helps increase eyelash growth in terms of length, thickness, and darkness.
Bimatoprost may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does bimatoprost work (mechanism of action)?
Bimatoprost is part of a group of medicines called prostaglandin analogs. The way it works for eyelash growth is not exactly understood. It is thought to work by increasing the number of eyelash hairs.
How is bimatoprost supplied (dosage forms)?
Bimatoprost is available as a 0.03% solution that is applied to the skin at the base of the eyelashes.
How should I store bimatoprost?
Bimatoprost should be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature, between 36 F to 77 F (2 C to 25 C).
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of bimatoprost?
The most common side effects of bimatoprost are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Eye itching
- Redness in and around the eyes
- Darkening of the eyelid skin
There may be other side effects of bimatoprost that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of bimatoprost?
While less common, the most serious side effects of bimatoprost are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Bimatoprost may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using bimatoprost and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use bimatoprost?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use bimatoprost eyelash drops.
- Bimatoprost
- Latisse
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific bimatoprost products they stock.
What should I know about bimatoprost before using it?
Do not use bimatoprost unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.
Do not share bimatoprost with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep bimatoprost out of the reach of children. If you store it in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.
Bimatoprost can cause discoloration of soft contact lenses. To avoid this, remove contact lenses before using this medicine. You can put them back in at least 15 minutes after you use the medicine.
Bimatoprost may cause hair to grow in areas other than the eyelashes, if the medicine comes into repeated contact with the skin surface. Be careful to apply bimatoprost only to the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the eyelash base with the applicators. Blot any excess medicine from the margin, so it does not run onto the cheek or skin.
Bimatoprost may cause the iris (the colored part of the eye) to increase in brown color. This effect may take months to years to occur, and may be permanent, even if you stop using bimatoprost. Bimatoprost may also cause your eyelid skin to darken, which may return to normal after you stop using bimatoprost.
Use bimatoprost at night. Use with the accompanying applicator. Do not apply to the lower eyelid or into the eye. However, if any bimatoprost gets into the eye, you do not need to rinse the eye. To avoid contamination, do not touch the tip of the bottle or applicator, or allow it to come into contact with any surfaces.
It may take up to two months to see the benefits of this medicine. However, if you stop using bimatoprost eyelash drops, your eyelash growth will gradually return to the way it was before you started using bimatoprost.
If you develop any type of eye problems or reactions while using bimatoprost, call your healthcare provider right away. This may include problems with the eye or eyelid, such as eye injury, infection, eye swelling and redness, or vision loss.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using bimatoprost?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if bimatoprost is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and past health conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Any type of eye problem, including uveitis (inflammatory conditions that affect the middle part of the eye), macular edema, eye pressure problems, no lens (aphakia) or problems with your eye lens
- Diabetes
- A history of eye surgery
- Any medical conditions
Other Medicines and Supplements. Bimatoprost may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using bimatoprost, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how bimatoprost could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use bimatoprost while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if bimatoprost passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use bimatoprost while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does bimatoprost interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between bimatoprost eyelash drops and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect bimatoprost eyelash drops.
Does bimatoprost interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any other prostaglandin analog eye medicine, such as latanoprost (Xalatan, Xelpros, Iyuzeh), bimatoprost (Lumigan, Durysta), or travoprost (Travatan Z, iDose TR), which is a medicine used for high pressure in the eye.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with bimatoprost eyelash drops. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much bimatoprost?
If you or someone else has used too much bimatoprost, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of bimatoprost?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and use it the next evening.
Are you currently using Bimatoprost eyelash drops (Latisse)?
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