DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Bimatoprost

March 21, 2017

Bimatoprost Ophthalmic drops, solution

What is this medicine?

BIMATOPROST (bi MA toe prost) is used in the eye to treat open-angle glaucoma and high pressure in the eye.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • closed angle glaucoma

  • eye abrasion, infection, or swelling

  • wear contact lenses

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to bimatoprost or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is only for use in the eye. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after use. Tilt the head back slightly and pull down the lower lid with the index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your eye or into the pouch. Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the pouch and gently close the eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. If you are using another eye product, wait at least 5 minutes between use of this medicine and the other eye product.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other eye products without telling your doctor or health care professional.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Report any serious side effects right away. Stop using this medicine if your eyes get swollen, painful, or have a discharge, and see your doctor or health care professional as soon as you can.

This medicine may cause your eye, eyelashes, and eyelids to change color. Tell your doctor or health care professional if this happens. If only one eye is being treated with this medicine, a difference may develop between the treated and untreated eye in eyelash length, darkness or thickness, and/or color changes of the eyelid skin or iris. These changes may be permanent.

If you wear contact lenses, take them out before putting drops in the eye. Contact lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after putting the drops in your eyes.

Wear dark glasses if this medicine makes your eyes more sensitive to light.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • changes in vision

  • swollen or infected eyes or eyelids

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • burning, stinging, or discomfort immediately after using the solution

  • changes in eye, eyelash, or eyelid color

  • dry eyes

  • increased flow of tears

  • sensitivity of the eyes to light

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store this medicine between 2 and 25 degrees C (36 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Bimatoprost Ophthalmic drops, solution [Hypotrichosis]

What is this medicine?

BIMATOPROST (bi MA toe prost) is used on the upper eyelashes to increase their growth. It helps make eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • eye inflammation

  • glaucoma

  • macular edema

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to bimatoprost, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is only for use on the skin of the upper eyelid margins at the base of the eyelashes. Do not use in the eye or on the lower eyelid. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash face and remove makeup and contact lenses before use. Use the applicators supplied with your medicine to apply the drops. Use a different applicator for each eye; do not use each applicator more than once. Do not touch the tip of the dropper or applicator. After applying 1 drop of solution to the applicator, evenly apply along the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the base of the eyelashes. Blot excess medicine with a tissue or absorbant cloth. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. If you are using another eye product, wait at least 5 minutes between use of this medicine and the other eye product.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 5 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

  • medicines used in the eye to treat glaucoma or high eye pressure (i.e., Lumigan, latanoprost, travoprost or unoprostone)

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

This medicine may cause your eyelids and the colored part of your eye to get darker. Your eyelids may return to their normal color several weeks or months after you stop using this medicine. The change in the colored part of the eye may be permanent.

You may experience hair growth on other areas of the skin that this medicine frequently touches. You can reduce the chances of this happening by blotting away any excess medicine with a tissue or other absorbent material. There may be a difference in eyelash length, thickness, fullness, color, number of eyelash hairs, and/or direction of eyelash growth between eyes. This will usually go away if you stop using this medicine.

If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using this medicine. Contact lenses may be put back in after 15 minutes.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • changes in vision

  • swollen or infected eyes or eyelids

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • changes in eye, eyelash, or eyelid color

  • dry eyes

  • red, itchy eyes

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store this medicine between 2 and 25 degrees C (36 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert