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.
Eye implant:
- If your child has been given this form of this drug, talk with the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about giving this drug to your child.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child has 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 the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
All products:
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your child use care when doing tasks that call for clear eyesight.
- Have your child’s eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Tell the doctor if your child has an eye infection, eye injury, or will be having eye surgery.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child 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 child’s 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 child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has 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 child’s 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 child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
All 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 child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All other products:
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Have your child take out contact lenses before using this drug. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after this drug is given. Do not put lenses back in if your child’s 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 child’s signs get better.
- For the eye only.
- Give in the evening.
- Tilt your child’s head back and drop drug into the eye.
- After use, have your child keep eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in the 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 child’s signs get better.
- For the eyelid only.
- Do not touch the applicator tip to the eye, other skin, or any other surface.
- Clean your child’s 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 my child misses a dose?
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep lid tightly closed.
- Store upright with the cap on.
- 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 child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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