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Home > Drug Category > Glaucoma Medications > Lumigan and Equivalent

Lumigan Information

Lumigan (Bimatoprost) is primarily prescribed to lower elevated intraocular pressure in individuals with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Its active ingredient is bimatoprost. It falls under the class of drugs known as prostaglandin analogs, though more specifically, it's often referred to as a synthetic prostamide. This medication appears to work by mimicking natural compounds in the body to increase the outflow of aqueous humor (the fluid produced inside the eye) through both the uveoscleral and trabecular drainage pathways.

In conditions like open-angle glaucoma, the eye's natural drainage system becomes sluggish, leading to a buildup of fluid that puts mechanical stress on the optic nerve that connects the eyes to the brain. Ocular hypertension is essentially the same high-pressure state, but without the detectable nerve damage yet. By lowering pressure to a safer range, Lumigan helps prevent the progressive, irreversible vision loss that occurs when the optic nerve is compromised. It’s a bit of a lifelong management strategy, though, as it doesn't cure the underlying drainage issue but rather keeps the symptoms in check to preserve your sight.

One common side effect of bimatoprost, especially at higher doses, is that it makes eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker by affecting hair follicles. It extends the anagen phase, the active growth phase of hair follicles. This means that the eyelashes spend more time in the growth phase, allowing them to become longer and thicker over time. It also enhances eyelash pigmentation, making them appear darker. This is why it may also be used for eyelash growth in individuals with eyelash hypotrichosis. It has also been reported to be effective in treating eyebrow hypotrichosis and is currently being studied for its potential in treating scalp alopecia and vitiligo.

Lumigan Side Effects

Like all medications, bimatoprost can cause some side effects. Common side effects of this medication may include a feeling of something in the eye, burning eyes, dizziness, dry eyes, excessive hair growth, eye irritation (itching, redness, or stinging), headache, increased tear production, longer eyelashes, and red, itchy eyelids. Contact your doctor if these common mild side effects don't resolve or get worse.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, including the following:
• Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, body itching, body rash, skin blistering, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, or throat;
• Darkening of eyelid skin color;
• Deepening or drooping eyelid;
• Discharge from the eye;
• Eye pain;
• Feeling tired;
• Increase in brown color in the colored part of the eye (the iris);
• Inflammation of the eyelid;
• Sensitivity of the eye to light;
• Vision problems (e.g., decreased acuity, blurred vision)

Inform your doctor about any other side effects you notice that are not listed here.

Lumigan Precautions

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to bimatoprost, other ingredients in Lumigan, or any other medicines. Before you start taking this medication, ensure that you inform your doctor about any prior or current medical conditions, including the following:
• Breathing problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• Eye problems such as glaucoma, iritis, uveitis, or eye infections;
• Kidney disease;
• Liver disease;
• Low blood pressure;
• Recent eye surgery or injury

This eye drop medication may contain benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. You'll want to wait at least 15 minutes after instillation before popping your lenses back in to avoid irritation or lens discoloration. This medication may cause temporarily blurred vision immediately after use. Therefore, avoid driving or operating hazardous equipment until your vision clears. While it hasn't been extensively studied in pregnant women, animal studies at very high doses have shown some reproductive toxicity. In clinical practice, it's typically prescribed when managing eye pressure is absolutely vital to the mother's vision. It's not entirely clear if bimatoprost is excreted in human milk, though it has been seen in animal milk. Because systemic absorption is so minimal, many clinicians consider it likely to be safe. It is, however, not suitable for use in children.

Using bimatoprost eye drops along with ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (like ketorolac) might slightly increase the risk of developing macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye), particularly in individuals who are already predisposed to it after surgery. Therefore, it is imperative to let your doctor know about any medicines or supplements you are currently using, including other eye medications, to determine whether they can interact with bimatoprost. Apply one drop of this medication in the affected eye in the evening as directed by your doctor or as stated in the medication leaflets. You should probably stick to a single evening dose, as using the drops more frequently appears to reduce their effectiveness. Avoid touching the dropper tip to your eye or any other surface to keep the liquid sterile. If you are using other eye drops, apply them at least 5 minutes apart. Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children. Safely discard any medication remaining in the dropper bottle 30 days after first opening the bottle.

Do I need a prescription to order Lumigan?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Lumigan.