Bimatoprost Ophthalmic : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Bimatoprost ophthalmic is used to treat glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision) and ocular hypertension (a condition that causes increased pressure in the eye). Bimatoprost is in a class of medications called prostaglandin analogs. Reduces pressure in the eye by increasing the flow of natural eye fluids out of the eye.

The ophthalmic presentation of bimatoprost is a solution (liquid) to instill into the eye. It is usually instilled into the affected eye or eyes once a day at night. Try to use the medicine 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 bimatoprost exactly as directed. Do not use more or less or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Bimatoprost controls glaucoma and ocular hypertension, but does not cure them. Keep using bimatoprost eye drops even if you feel fine. Do not stop using bimatoprost eye drops without consulting your doctor.

To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands well with soap and water.
2. Check the dropper tip to make sure it is not chipped or cracked.
3. Avoid touching the tip of the dropper against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.
4. While tilting your head back, lower the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
5. Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
6. Rest the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
7. While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket formed by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
8. Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tilt your head down as if looking at the ground. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
9. Place a finger over the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
10. Wipe any excess fluid from your face with a tissue.
11. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.
12. Replace and tighten the dropper bottle cap. Do not clean or rinse the dropper tip.
13. Wash your hands to remove any medication.

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

Before using bimatoprost eye drops,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bimatoprost or any other medications.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
• If you are using another topical eye medication, instill it at least 5 minutes before or after applying bimatoprost eye drops.
• Tell your doctor if you have inflammation (swelling) of the eye or a broken or missing lens, and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using bimatoprost, call your doctor.
• You should know that the bimatoprost solution contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before instilling bimatoprost and replace them 15 minutes later.
• If you have an eye injury, infection, or surgery while using bimatoprost, ask your doctor if you should continue to use the same container of eye drops.

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

Instill the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one.

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

• itchy eyes
• dry eyes
• burning eyes
• eye pain or irritation
• eye tearing
• headaches

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately:

• sensitivity to light
• pink eye
• redness or swelling of the eyelid

Bimatoprost eye drops can change the color of your eye (to brown) and darken the skin around the eye. It can also make your lashes grow longer, thicker, and darker. These changes usually happen slowly, but they can be permanent. If you use bimatoprost in one eye only, you should know that there may be a difference between your eyes after taking bimatoprost. Call your doctor if you notice these changes.

Bimatoprost eye drops 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

Keep all your appointments with your doctor.

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.