Bimatoprost

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Apr 21, 2023

Warnings

Bimatoprost (Latisse) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Patients treated with bimatoprost can develop new or worsening health problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatments for eyelash growth if you are at increased risk of complications from bimatoprost use.

INCREASED BROWN IRIS PIGMENTATION: Using bimatoprost can lead to the darkening of the irises and skin discoloration of the eyelid skin. This change in color may be noticeable after using bimatoprost for several months or years. The increased brown iris pigmentation can be permanent, but the skin hyperpigmentation (eyelid skin darkening) usually goes away when you stop using bimatoprost. While these side effects are not harmful, make sure you keep all your appointments with your provider during bimatoprost treatment so they can ensure your eyes remain healthy.
UNWANTED HAIR GROWTH: People using bimatoprost can develop an increased amount of hair on the skin of the upper eyelid or other surfaces that come in repeat contact with the medicine. Make sure you only apply bimatoprost to the lash line. Blot any excess solution runoff with a tissue after applying the medicine.
DECREASED EYE PRESSURE: Bimatoprost ophthalmic solution is used to treat elevated intraocular pressure in people with an eye condition called glaucoma. Studies have shown that using bimatoprost on the eyelids can lower eye pressure, but it does not cause major problems. However, this can be a problem if you’re also using other prostaglandin analogs (eye drops for increased eye pressure) such as bimatoprost (Lumigan) or latanoprost (Xalatan). Give your healthcare provider a complete list of your current medications before starting treatment with this medicine to prevent a sudden decrease in eye pressure.
MACULAR EDEMA AND ACTIVE INTRAOCULAR INFLAMMATION: Bimatoprost (Latisse) and other prostaglandins can cause or worsen eye inflammation and macular edema (swelling in the central part of the retina that is necessary for clear vision). Known risk factors for these problems include pre-existing eye inflammation, aphakic patients, and pseudophakic patients with a torn posterior lens capsule. Tell your provider without delay if you develop eye discomfort or blurred vision while using bimatoprost.

Precautions Before Starting Bimatoprost (Latisse)

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to bimatoprost, any of the active or inactive ingredients in bimatoprost formulations, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Note that bimatoprost is also the active ingredient in the brand name drug Lumigan, used to treat elevated intraocular pressure (glaucoma). Using Latisse and Lumigan together can result in too much medicine and serious adverse reactions. Discuss with your doctor the benefits versus risks of using bimatoprost for eyelash growth if you are using other eye drops to treat glaucoma.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, herbal products, and eye drops. Don’t forget to mention other prostaglandin medicines like travoprost (Travatan) and latanoprost (Xalatan). This can help avoid possible interactions between your medications.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Bimatoprost may not be right for people with certain medical conditions, such as problems with eye pressure, eye swelling, or a torn or missing lens in the eye.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Although this medicine is considered generally safe during pregnancy, there aren’t enough studies to rule out risks from bimatoprost use in pregnant women. Animal studies have shown that bimatoprost is secreted into breast milk. The effects on humans are not known. To avoid any health complications in a breastfed child, talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you are nursing an infant.

Precautions During Use of Bimatoprost (Latisse)

Keep all your medical appointments while using bimatoprost. Your doctor may want to monitor you for side effects. If you are having your eye pressure checked, tell the person doing the test that you are using bimatoprost for eyelash growth.

You may notice a difference in eyelash growth on either side, including eyelash length, fullness, thickness, color, number of eyelash hairs, and direction of hair growth. If they are bothersome cosmetically, these differences will go away in a few weeks to months after you stop using the medicine.

Topical bimatoprost formulations contain benzalkonium chloride. Soft contact lenses absorb this chemical. If you wear soft contact lenses, take them out before applying the medicine and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on bimatoprost.

Bimatoprost (Latisse) Drug Interactions

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, OTC medications, dietary supplements, herbal remedies, and eye drops. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

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