Bimatoprost

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Durysta; Latisse; Lumigan

Brand Names: Canada

Latisse; Lumigan RC; Vistitan; Zimed PF

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat glaucoma.
• It is used to lower high eye pressure.
• It is used to help eyelashes grow. It may take 2 months to see the full effect.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any kind of eye infection or other eye problems.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

All products:

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Use care when driving or doing other tasks that call for clear eyesight.
• Have your eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you have an eye infection, eye injury, or will be having eye surgery.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

For treating glaucoma or lowering eye pressure:

• Cataracts have happened with this drug.
• Do not give to a child younger than 16 years of age.

For helping eyelashes grow:

• If this drug touches the skin out of the treated area often, unwanted hair growth may happen. Be sure to use this drug as you were told to avoid unwanted hair growth. Talk with the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation.
• If bright lights bother your eyes.
• Eye discharge.
• Eye color may change to a brown color. This change may not go back to normal. Eye color changes may happen a few months to years after starting this drug. If eye color changes, call the doctor.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Eye implant:

• Eye irritation.
• Dry eyes.
• Feeling that something is in the eye.
• Headache.

All other products:

• Eye irritation.
• This drug may cause dark eyelids. Most of the time, this change goes back to normal after this drug is stopped.

For treating glaucoma or lowering eye pressure:

• Dry eyes.
• Feeling that something is in the eye.
• Burning.
• Signs of a common cold.
• This drug may cause eyelash changes like dark eyelashes, thickness, or more eyelashes. Most of the time, these changes go back to normal after this drug is stopped.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Eye implant:

• This drug is given into the eye by your doctor.

All other products:

• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Take out contact lenses before using this drug. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after this drug is given. Do not put contacts back in if your eyes are irritated or infected.
• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin. This could lead to bacteria in the drug, which may cause severe eye problems or loss of eyesight.

For treating glaucoma or lowering eye pressure:

• Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
• For the eye only.
• Use in the evening.
• Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
• After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your eye.
• If more than 1 drug is being used in the same eye, use each drug at least 5 minutes apart.

For helping eyelashes grow:

• Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
• For the eyelid only.
• Do not touch the applicator tip to the eye, other skin, or any other surface.
• Clean your face and take off make-up.
• Put on upper eyelid using only the applicator that comes with it.
• Use a new applicator for the other eye.
• Do not use the applicators more than 1 time.
• Do not put on lower lashes.
• Blot extra solution from the eyelid.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Eye implant:

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

All other products:

• Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Eye implant:

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All other products:

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep lid tightly closed.
• Store upright with the cap on.

All products:

• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-05-10

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