Type of medicine: prostaglandin; hypotrichosis treatment
Generic and brand names: bimatoprost, ophthalmic solution; Latisse
This medicine is a liquid that you put on the upper eyelid at the base of the eyelashes. It helps eyelashes grow longer, fuller, and darker. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your provider if you wear contact lenses or use any other eye medicines.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more of it or use it more often than prescribed. Using this medicine too much may increase the risk of side effects.
Wash your hands before putting medicine in your eyes. Remove all makeup and contact lenses before you use this medicine. Do not wear contact lenses while you put in the medicine. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medicine before you put contacts back in.
Once per night, put one drop of this medicine on the special applicator that comes in the package. Carefully spread the medicine along the upper eyelid at the base of the eyelashes. (It will not hurt if a little of this medicine gets in your eye.) Use a new applicator to put medicine on your other eyelid. Blot any excess solution. Be careful not to get the medicine on other skin. It may cause hair to grow. Do not use this medicine on your lower eyelashes. Do not use this medicine more than once per day.
Dispose of each applicator after one use. Do not reuse applicators or use any other brush or applicator other than the one that comes in the medicine package.
To keep from contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the bottle or the applicator touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface. Serious infections may result from using contaminated eye medicine or applicators. After use, put the cap on the medicine tightly.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.
This medicine may increase the amount of brown color in the iris (colored part) of the eye. You may not notice this for several months or years. This likely will be permanent. This medicine may also cause your eyelid skin color to darken. This may be reversible after you stop using this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Your eyelashes will change in length, thickness, and color. You may start to notice a change in 1 month, but full effect of this medicine will take at least 2 months. There may be differences in eyelash length, thickness, color, number of hairs, and/or the direction of hair growth between eyes. If you stop using this medicine, your eyelashes will go back to the way they were before.
If you hurt your eye or get an eye infection while using this medicine, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine. If you need eye surgery while using this medicine, be sure to tell the surgeon you are using this medicine.
Your healthcare provider will want to check you regularly. Keep all appointments for eye exams.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Any sudden or severe reaction in your eyes or eyelids such as red, irritated, or swollen eyes or eyelids, seeing sparks or flashes of light; chest pain.
Other: Blurred vision or other vision change; headache; burning, stinging, itching, or feeling that something is in your eyes; increased sensitivity to light; eye redness; dry eye; watery eyes; a cold or flu; pain in your muscles, joints, or back; skin rash; brown color of eyelid or iris; eyelash darkening or loss of eyelashes.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not use other products in your eyes while you are using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. If you use more than one eye medicine, use them at least 5 minutes apart.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
