Bimatoprost Topical : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Topical bimatoprost is used to treat hypotrichosis (less hair than normal) of the eyelashes by promoting the growth of longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes. Topical bimatoprost is in a class of medications called prostaglandin analogs. It works by increasing the number of eyelash hairs that grow and the amount of time they grow.

Topical bimatoprost comes as a solution (liquid) to apply to the upper eyelids. It is usually applied once a day at night. Use topical bimatoprost at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Use topical bimatoprost exactly as directed. Do not use more or less or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Using topical bimatoprost more than once a day will not increase lash growth more than recommended use.

It may take at least 4 weeks before you see any benefit from topical bimatoprost and up to 16 weeks to see the full effect of the drug. Continue using topical bimatoprost even if you have already seen an effect. Topical bimatoprost will only increase eyelash growth while you are using the medication. If you stop using bimatoprost topical, your lashes will return to their original appearance within several weeks or months.

Do not apply topical bimatoprost to the lower eyelids or to broken or irritated skin on the upper eyelids.

Hair may grow in other areas of the skin with repeated applications of topical bimatoprost. Take care to blot any excess solution off the upper eyelid margin with a tissue or other absorbent material to prevent this from happening.

If topical bimatoprost comes into contact with your eyes while applying the solution, it is not expected to cause harm. Do not rinse your eye (s).

Topical bimatoprost comes with sterile applicators to apply the medicine. Do not reuse applicators and do not use a cotton swab or any other brush or applicator to apply topical bimatoprost.

To use the solution, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands and face well with soap and water. Make sure to remove all makeup.
2. Do not let the tip of the bottle or applicator touch your fingers or anything else.
3. Hold the applicator horizontally and place 1 drop of topical bimatoprost on the area closest to the tip, but not on the tip itself.
   Immediately move the applicator gently across the skin of the upper eyelid at the base of the lashes (where the lashes meet the skin) from the inner part of the lash line to the outer part, just as you would with liquid eyeliner. The area should feel slightly damp but not runny.
4. Blot any excess solution with a tissue.
5. Discard the applicator after applying it to an eyelid.
6. Repeat these steps for the other eye with a new applicator.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before using topical bimatoprost,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bimatoprost or any other medications.
• You should know that bimatoprost is also available as Lumigan®, a solution to instill into the eyes to treat increased pressure in the eyes. If you use the topical solution and the eye drops together, you may receive too much medication. Talk to your doctor about using topical bimatoprost if you are also using the eye drops.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any medications for increased pressure in the eyes, such as latanoprost (Xalatan) and travoprost (Travatan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had eye swelling, a missing or broken lens, or eye pressure problems. Call your doctor if you develop an eye condition, such as an injury or infection, or if you have eye surgery during your treatment with topical bimatoprost.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using bimatoprost topical, call your doctor.
• You should know that topical bimatoprost contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying topical bimatoprost and replace them 15 minutes later.
• You should be aware that differences in length, thickness, fullness, color, number of lash hairs, and direction of lash growth between the eyes are possible. These differences will usually go away if you stop using topical bimatoprost.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply extra solution to make up for a missed dose.

Topical bimatoprost may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• itchy eyes
• dry eyes
• eye irritation
• redness of the eyes and eyelids

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience this symptom, call your doctor immediately:

• blurred or decreased vision

Topical bimatoprost can cause darkening of the eyelid skin, which may be reversible if you stop using the medicine. Topical bimatoprost can change the color of your eyes to brown, which is probably permanent. Call your doctor if you notice these changes.

Topical bimatoprost may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure they cannot be consumed by pets, children, and others. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. Check out the FDA drug safe disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

Keep all your appointments with your doctor.

Before having your eye pressure checked, tell the person performing the test that you are using topical bimatoprost.

Don’t let anyone use your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.