Generic name: bimatoprost [ bye-MAT-oh-prost ]
Brand names: Durysta, Latisse, Lumigan
Drug class: Ophthalmic glaucoma agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 29, 2024.

Uses for bimatoprost

Bimatoprost ophthalmic (eye) drop is used to treat certain diseases of the eye like open-angle glaucoma and ocular (eye) hypertension which occurs in many people as they grow older. Glaucoma is caused by high pressure in your eye and can lead to pain from pressure in your eye and then can eventually harm your vision. This medicine can help you keep your sight by reducing the pressure in your eye and stopping eye pain.

Bimatoprost ophthalmic (eye) solution is also used to treat eyelash hypotrichosis (not enough eyelashes) by increasing their growth and making the eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using bimatoprost

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of bimatoprost for treatment of open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of bimatoprost for eyelash growth in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Because of safety concerns, the use of bimatoprost to treat open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in children and teenagers younger than 16 years of age is not recommended.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of bimatoprost in the elderly.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Certain types of glaucoma (angle-closure, inflammatory, or neovascular)—Not normally used in patients with these conditions. Let your doctor know if you have these conditions.

• Cornea transplant (eg, Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK), recent or
• Eye infection, active or suspected or
• Fuchs’ Dystrophy (cornea problem)—Durysta™ should not be given in patients with these conditions.

• Eye disease (eg, iritis or uveitis), history of—Use with caution. Some eye conditions may be worsened by bimatoprost.

• Loss of the lens of the eye or a torn lens—Use with caution. May be more prone to a serious side effect called macular edema.

Proper use of bimatoprost

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of this medicine than your doctor ordered.

Durysta™ is to be given by a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital. This medicine comes as an implant that is injected directly to your eye.

If your doctor ordered two different eye medicines to be used together, wait at least 5 minutes between the times you apply these medicines. This will help to keep the second medicine from “washing out” the first one.

The preservative used in these eye medicines may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause irritation of your eyes. Soft contact lenses should be taken out before you use bimatoprost. Lenses may be put back in the eyes 15 minutes after you have used the medicine.

To use Lumigan® eye drops:

• The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.
• First, wash your hands. Tilt your head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• Remove any excess solution around the eye with a clean tissue, being careful not to touch the eye.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, repeat the directions with another drop.
• Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

To use Latisse™ solution for eyelash growth:

• Make sure your face is clean and remove your make-up and contact lenses before using this medicine.
• Always wash your hands before and after using this medicine.
• Place one drop of the solution on the disposable sterile applicator and apply it evenly along the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the base of the eyelashes.
• Remove any excess solution around the eyes with a tissue or any absorbent cloth.
• Repeat for the other upper eyelid margin using a new applicator.
• Do not apply this medicine on the lower eyelashes.
• Dispose of the applicator after each use.

To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed. Serious damage to the eye and possible loss of vision may result from using contaminated eye medicines.

This medicine comes with patient information insert. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops):
  • For glaucoma or hypertension of the eye:
    • Adults and teenagers—One drop in the affected eye(s) once a day in the evening.
    • Teenagers and children younger than 16 years of age—Use is not recommended.
  • For eyelash growth:
    • Adults—Apply one drop each in the upper eyelids every night.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

If you miss a dose of Latisse™ solution, skip the missed dose and apply the medicine the next evening.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

You may store the medicine in the refrigerator or at room temperature

Related/similar drugs

latanoprost ophthalmic, epinephrine ophthalmic, brimonidine ophthalmic, timolol ophthalmic, pilocarpine ophthalmic, Lumigan, Xalatan

Precautions while using bimatoprost

Your eye doctor will want to examine your eyes at regular visits to make sure that the medicine is working properly and is not causing unwanted effects.

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you are allergic to bimatoprost.

Check with your doctor if you have an injury, trauma, or infection in your eye or if you are scheduled to have an eye surgery. Your doctor may want you to use a fresh bottle of bimatoprost in case the present bottle has become contaminated during use.

If you are using this medication for eyelash growth, be careful to apply as directed and wipe off any excess that comes into contact with other skin areas. There is a potential for hair growth in other areas this medicine comes into contact with.

While you are using bimatoprost, the iris (colored part) of your treated eye(s) may slowly become more brown in color. The change in color of the iris is noticeable usually within several months or years from the start of treatment with bimatoprost. In addition, there may be a darkening of the eyelid skin color. Also, your eyelashes may become longer, thicker, and darker. These changes to the iris, eyelid, and lashes may be permanent even if you stop using bimatoprost. Also, these changes to the iris, eyelid, and lashes will affect only the eye being treated with bimatoprost. Therefore, if only one eye is being treated, only that eye may develop darker iris, eyelid, and eyelashes and other changes to the eyelashes, and you may have differently appearing eyes. Check with your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Side Effects of bimatoprost

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Blindness
• bloody eye
• blurred or decreased vision
• change in color vision
• color changes in the skin around the eyes
• difficulty seeing at night
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• dry eyes
• eye color changes
• fever or chills
• halos around lights
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of vision
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• redness, burning, dry, or itching eyes
• redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• tunnel vision

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Body aches or pain
• cough
• difficulty with breathing
• ear congestion
• headache
• loss of voice
• nasal congestion
• redness of the white part of eyes or inside of the eyelids
• runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• Darkening of the eyelashes
• eye discharge or excessive tearing
• eye strain
• feeling of having something in the eye
• increase in hair growth
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Durysta
• Latisse
• Lumigan

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Implant

Therapeutic Class: Antiglaucoma

Pharmacologic Class: Prostaglandin

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer