Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Side Effects

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

Applies to bimatoprost ophthalmic: implant, solution.

Other side effects

Some side effects of bimatoprost ophthalmic 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 side effects

• 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 side effects

• 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

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, bimatoprost ophthalmic 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 while taking bimatoprost ophthalmic:

Less common side effects

• 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

For healthcare professionals

Applies to bimatoprost ophthalmic: intraocular implant, ophthalmic solution.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported adverse reactions were eyelash growth, conjunctival hyperemia, and ocular pruritus.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Growth of eyelashes (up to 45%), conjunctival hyperemia (up to 44%), ocular pruritus (up to 15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Allergic conjunctivitis, asthenopia, blepharitis, blurred vision, cataract, conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, corneal erosion, dry eye, eye discharge, eye irritation, eye pain, eye pruritus, eyelash darkening, eyelid pruritus, foreign body sensation, increased iris pigmentation, lacrimation increased, ocular burning, ocular dryness, ocular irritation, photophobia, punctate keratitis, superficial punctate keratitis, tearing, visual disturbance, worsening of visual acuity
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blepharospasm, eyelid edema, eyelid margin crusting, eyelid retraction, iris hyperpigmentation, iritis, retinal hemorrhage, uveitis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Corneal calcification
• Frequency not reported: Blepharal pigmentation, cystoid macular edema, eye edema, eyelash changes, eyelid sulcus deepening, intraocular inflammation, macular edema, signs/symptoms of eye allergy
• Postmarketing reports: Enophthalmos^[Ref]

Corneal calcification occurred in patients with significant corneal damage using formulations containing phosphate.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Eyelid erythema, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, periocular skin hyperpigmentation, periorbital erythema, pigmentation of periocular skin, skin hyperpigmentation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal hair growth, dry skin, madarosis, pruritus
• Frequency not reported: Lid changes, periorbital changes, pigmentation, signs/symptoms of allergic dermatitis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Colds, infections^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infections
• Frequency not reported: Asthma, asthma exacerbation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, dyspnea
• Postmarketing reports: Asthma-like symptoms^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, vertigo^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Instillation site irritation^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal liver function tests^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthenia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity, hypersensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Further information

Bimatoprost ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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