bimatoprost (Latisse)
Bimatoprost (Latisse) is a prostaglandin that's used for people who need help with eyelash growth. Though unclear, it's thought to increase the number of eyelash hairs that are growing. Bimatoprost (Latisse) is a liquid that you apply directly onto the edge of the upper eyelid where your eyelashes are. This medication is used once every night. Side effects include itchy or red eyes. It might also darken the skin around your eyes.
What is Bimatoprost (Latisse)?
What is Bimatoprost (Latisse) used for?
Low eyelash growth
How Bimatoprost (Latisse) works
Bimatoprost (Latisse) is a prostaglandin. It’s not known exactly how the medication works to improve eyelash growth. But it might cause more eyelash hairs to grow. The medication is also thought to make eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker.
Drug Facts
More on Bimatoprost (Latisse) essentials
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What are the side effects of Bimatoprost (Latisse)?
Common Side Effects
- Itchy or irritated eyes
- Red eyes
- Dry eyes
- Darker skin where the medication is applied
Other Side Effects
- Feeling like there's something in your eye
- Unusual hair growth
- Darker eye color
Source: DailyMed
More on Bimatoprost (Latisse) side effects
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Change in vision
- New or worsening eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in eye, eyelash, or eyelid color
- Dry eyes
- Eye irritation or itching
- Increased tears after use
Pros and cons of Bimatoprost (Latisse)
Pros
Helps improve eyelash length, darkness, and fullness
Studies show that it's safe for children age 5 years and older
Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
Can take a few months to see the full effects of the medication
Stops working after you stop using it
Can darken your eye color permanently
Might be hard for some people to use properly
Pharmacist tips for Bimatoprost (Latisse)
Use bimatoprost (Latisse) only for improving eyelash growth and as instructed by your healthcare professional (HCP). Never use bimatoprost (Latisse) for other eye problems (such as dry eyes).
Read the Instructions for Use on how to properly use bimatoprost (Latisse). Ask your HCP or pharmacist if you have any questions about using the medication.
Take out any contact lenses before you use bimatoprost (Latisse) every night. Wait at least 15 minutes after you use the medication to put your lenses back into your eye(s). Bimatoprost (Latisse) can change the color of your lenses if you reinsert them too soon.
Only apply bimatoprost (Latisse) along the skin at the base of your upper eyelashes. Don't apply the medication on your lower eyelashes or in your eye. But if any medication accidentally gets into your eye, it's not harmful so you don't need to rinse your eye with water. Blot any extra solution that gets outside the upper eyelid with a tissue or cloth.
Use a new applicator for each eye; these applicators come inside the bimatoprost (Latisse) packaging. Don't reuse applicators. Also don't use other brushes or applicators. Otherwise, your eye might get infected or you might injure yourself.
Don’t let the tip of the bottle touch anything other than a new, clean applicator. Also make sure the applicator doesn't touch any other surface except the base of your eyelashes. This helps prevent the medication from getting contaminated with germs, which can lower your risk for eye infection.
Applying bimatoprost (Latisse) more than once per day or using more drops each time won't make your eyelashes grow any faster or longer. Use the medication exactly as prescribed to avoid wasting it.
If you forget to use bimatoprost (Latisse) one night, just skip it. Apply the medication the next evening.
Contact your HCP right away if you develop any new eye problems (e.g., trauma, infection, changes in vision, have had recent eye surgery, allergic reactions). Your HCP can discuss with you whether you should continue using bimatoprost (Latisse).
Frequently asked questions about Bimatoprost (Latisse)
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What are the risks and warnings for Bimatoprost (Latisse)?
Bimatoprost (Latisse) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Lowered eye pressure
Risk factors: Using other prostaglandin eye medications
Bimatoprost is also used in the eye to treat high eye pressure in people with conditions like glaucoma. Using bimatoprost (Latisse) on the eyelids might lower eye pressure on its own, but not by enough to cause concerning problems. Using bimatoprost (Latisse) at the same time as other eye drops for high eye pressure, like bimatoprost (Lumigan) or latanoprost (Xalatan), can affect how much the medications lower your eye pressure. Make sure your prescriber and optometrist knows about all of the eye medications you use before you start bimatoprost (Latisse).
Darker eyes, eyelids, or eyelashes
Bimatoprost (Latisse) can darken the color of your eyes, eyelids, and eyelashes. The change in color might not be noticeable until you've used bimatoprost (Latisse) for a few months or years. Brown coloring of your eyes can be permanent. The skin around your eyes and your eyelashes might also become darker, but this usually goes away after you stop using the medication. These side effects aren't known to be harmful, but it's best to check in with your prescriber regularly to make sure your eyes stay healthy.
Hair growth on areas that the medication touched
Bimatoprost (Latisse) can cause more hair to grow on areas other than your eyelashes, especially on skin that often come in contact with the medication (e.g., if the medication were to run down your cheeks). Apply bimatoprost (Latisse) only to the upper eyelid at the base of the eyelashes using the provided applicators. Make sure to blot out any excess solution so that the medication doesn't get onto other parts of your face or body.
Eye inflammation and swelling
Risk factors: Current eye inflammation (e.g., uveitis) | Missing or injured eye lens
Prostaglandins like bimatoprost (Latisse) can cause or worsen eye inflammation. In addition, some people developed swelling in the macula (a part of the retina in the eye that's important for clear vision) when they used bimatoprost eye drops for glaucoma. These problems are more likely to happen if you already have eye inflammation or if the lens of your eye is damaged or missing. Talk to your optometrist right away if you notice eye discomfort or changes in your vision while you use bimatoprost (Latisse).
Bimatoprost (Latisse) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Bimatoprost (Latisse)
The typical dose is 1 drop for each eye once per night. For each eye, use a new, clean applicator to apply the drop along the upper eyelid where your eyelashes grow out from.
How much does Bimatoprost (Latisse) cost?
Bimatoprost (Latisse) contraindications
Allergy to other bimatoprost medications (Durysta eye implant or bimatoprost eye drops (Lumigan) for glaucoma)
What is the latest news about Bimatoprost (Latisse)?
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References
Best studies we foundAkorn. (2023). Bimatoprost solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2016). Macula.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2020). Retina.
Borchert, M., et al. (2016). An evaluation of the safety and efficacy of bimatoprost for eyelash growth in pediatric subjects. Clinical Ophthalmology.
Boyd, K., et al. (2019). Latisse (bimatoprost) ophthalmic solution. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Fagien, S. (2010). Management of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes: Focus on bimatoprost. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.
Latisse. n.d. How to use.
Law, S.K. (2010). Bimatoprost in the treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis. Clinical Ophthalmology.
Porter, D. (2023). What is macular edema? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Razeghinejad, M. R. (2018). Glaucoma medications in pregnancy. Oman Journal of Ophthalmology.
Riahi, R. R., et al. (2018). Topical treatment of eyebrow hypotrichosis with bimatoprost 0.03% solution: Case report and literature review. Cureus.
Wirta, D., et al. (2015). Bimatoprost 0.03% for the treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis: A pooled safety analysis of six randomized, double-masked clinical trials. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
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