Drug
Bimatoprost
Pronounced
"bi-MAT-oh-prost"
Uses
This medication is used to treat patients with not enough or inadequate eyelashes. Bimatoprost makes the eyelashes more noticeable by causing more eyelashes to grow and making them longer, thicker, and darker. Bimatoprost is similar to a natural chemical in the body (prostaglandin).
Bimatoprost is also used to treat glaucoma. If you are already using or are directed to use bimatoprost to treat glaucoma, be careful not to get this eyelash medication into your eyes. Getting extra bimatoprost in your eyes may make it less effective for treating glaucoma. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
How to Use This Medication
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using bimatoprost and each time you get a refill. Learn how to properly apply this medication. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Use this medication as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the evening.
To apply this medication, first wash your hands and face. Remove any makeup and contact lenses. Contact lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes after applying this medication. Place one drop of this medication onto the provided applicator. Then right away draw the applicator carefully across the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the bottom of the eyelashes going from the inner part of your lash line to the outer part. Blot any excess solution that is applied beyond the eyelid margin. Throw away the applicator after applying the medication. Repeat with a new applicator for the other upper eyelid. This medication is not for use on the lower eyelids.
If any medication gets into the eye, do not rinse your eye. It is not likely to cause any harm if this medication gets into the eye, because it is the same medication that is used in the eyes to treat glaucoma.
To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eyelashes or any other surface. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use, and keep the cap tightly closed.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each evening. Do not use more of this medication than recommended. Using more will not make this medication work faster. It may take up to 2 months before the full benefits of using this medication are seen.
When this medication is stopped, expect the appearance of the eyelashes to return to the way they looked before starting treatment with bimatoprost.
It is possible that the effects between your two sets of eyelashes may not be the same. There may be differences in eyelash length, thickness, fullness, color, number or direction of growth. If any of these occur, talk to your doctor.