Description

Bimatoprost, also known as Latisse or Lumigan, belongs to a group of drugs called prostamides, which are synthetic structural analogs of prostaglandin. Bimatoprost, marketed by Allergan, is administered in an ophthalmic solution and has the ability to reduce ocular hypotension, proving effective in conditions such as ocular hypertension and glaucoma.Bimatoprost is also used to treat eyelash hypotrichosis, or sparse eyelash growth.It was initially approved by the FDA in 2001 for ocular hypertension and later approved for hypothrichosis in 2008, as eyelash growth became a desirable adverse effect for patients using this drug.

Uses

Bimatoprost is used for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in adult patients, either alone or in combination with a beta blocker(typically timolol).

Studies have shown bimatoprost to be more effective than timolol in reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and as least as effective as the prostaglandin analogs latanoprost and travoprost in reducing IOP.

Bimatoprost may be used to treat small or underdeveloped eyelashes. The medical term for this is treatment of hypotrichosis; however, the FDA approval is for purely cosmetic purposes.

Interactions

No interaction studies with this substance have been performed. Interactions with systemic (for example, oral) drugs are considered unlikely because bimatoprost does not reach relevant concentrations in the bloodstream. Bimatoprost does not negatively interact with timolol eye drops.

Side effects

Side effects are similar to other prostaglandin analogs applied to the eye. The most common one is conjunctival hyperemia, which occurs in more than 10% of patients. Other effects include blurred vision, eye and eyelid redness, eye burning or other discomfort, and permanent darkening of the iris to brown. Occasional adverse effects (in less than 1% of patients) are headache and nausea.
Some side effects are specific to the cosmetic formulation, which is applied to the skin at the base of the eyelash rather than instilled into the eye. These include infection if the one-time applicators are reused, and darkening of the eyelid or of the area beneath the eye.