Bimatoprost
Encyclopedia
Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin
analog/prodrug used topically (as eye drop
s) to control the progression of glaucoma
and in the management of ocular hypertension
. It reduces intraocular pressure
(IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eyes. It has also been used and prescribed off-label
to lengthen eyelash
es. In December 2008, this use was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; the cosmetic formulation of bimatoprost is sold as Latisse . Recently, at least three case series have suggested that bimatoprost has the ability to reduce adipose (fat) tissue.
and latanoprost
, as well as prostamides like bimatoprost, it has been anecdotally noted that they have grown long and lush eyelashes. Allergan has initiated clinical trials investigating the usage of Lumigan as a cosmetic drug. On December 5, 2008, the FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee voted to approve bimatoprost for the cosmetic use of darkening and lengthening eyelashes. The medical term for this is treatment of hypotrichosis, however, the FDA approval is for purely cosmetic purposes.
According to Allergan's package labeling, users of its Latisse cosmetic product didn't develop darker irises in clinical studies; however, "patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent."
Several cosmetics companies have released products based on prostaglandin analogs, as non-drug cosmetics.
These companies have been sued by Allergan for patent infringement. The FDA has seized Age Intervention Eyelash as an "unapproved and misbranded drug" because Jan Marini Skin Research promoted it as something that increases eyelash growth and because it is "adulterated" with bimatoprost.
as a preservative. Contact lens
es should therefore be removed before use, and replaced no less than 15 minutes later; other eye drops or ointments should be given no less than 5 minutes before or after bimatoprost. It is administered once daily.
On November 19, 2007, the FDA issued a warning during the seizure of a bimatoprost-containing cosmetic. The warning stated that "the extra dose of bimatoprost may decrease the prescription drug's effectiveness. Damage to the optic nerve may lead to decreased vision and possibly blindness."
Prostaglandin
A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from fatty acids and have important functions in the animal body. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring....
analog/prodrug used topically (as eye drop
Eye drop
Eye drops are saline-containing drops used as a route to administer medication in the eye. Depending on the condition being treated, they may contain steroids, antihistamines, sympathomimetics, beta receptor blockers, parasympathomimetics, parasympatholytics, prostaglandins, non-steroidal...
s) to control the progression of glaucoma
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
and in the management of ocular hypertension
Ocular hypertension
Ocular hypertension is intraocular pressure higher than normal in the absence of optic nerve damage or visual field loss.Current consensus in ophthalmology defines normal introcular pressure as that between 10 mmHg and 21 mmHg...
. It reduces intraocular pressure
Intraocular pressure
Intraocular pressure is the fluid pressure inside the eye. Tonometry is the method eye care professionals use to determine this. IOP is an important aspect in the evaluation of patients at risk from glaucoma...
(IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eyes. It has also been used and prescribed off-label
Off-label use
Off-label use is the practice of prescribing pharmaceuticals for an unapproved indication or in an unapproved age group, unapproved dose or unapproved form of administration...
to lengthen eyelash
Eyelash
An eyelash or simply lash is one of the hairs that grow at the edge of the eyelid. Eyelashes protect the eye from debris and perform some of the same function as whiskers do on a cat or a mouse in the sense that they are sensitive to being touched, thus providing a warning that an object is near...
es. In December 2008, this use was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; the cosmetic formulation of bimatoprost is sold as Latisse . Recently, at least three case series have suggested that bimatoprost has the ability to reduce adipose (fat) tissue.
Cosmetic use
In patients using ophthalmic prostaglandins such as travoprostTravoprost
Travoprost ophthalmic solution is a topical medication used for controlling the progression of glaucoma or ocular hypertension, by reducing intraocular pressure. It is a synthetic prostaglandin analog that works by increasing the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eyes...
and latanoprost
Latanoprost
Latanoprost ophthalmic solution is a topical medication used for controlling the progression of glaucoma or ocular hypertension by reducing intraocular pressure...
, as well as prostamides like bimatoprost, it has been anecdotally noted that they have grown long and lush eyelashes. Allergan has initiated clinical trials investigating the usage of Lumigan as a cosmetic drug. On December 5, 2008, the FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee voted to approve bimatoprost for the cosmetic use of darkening and lengthening eyelashes. The medical term for this is treatment of hypotrichosis, however, the FDA approval is for purely cosmetic purposes.
According to Allergan's package labeling, users of its Latisse cosmetic product didn't develop darker irises in clinical studies; however, "patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent."
Several cosmetics companies have released products based on prostaglandin analogs, as non-drug cosmetics.
- Age Intervention Eyelash by Jan Marini Skin Research
- RevitaLash by Athena Cosmetics Corp.
- MD Lash Factor by PhotoMedex Inc.
These companies have been sued by Allergan for patent infringement. The FDA has seized Age Intervention Eyelash as an "unapproved and misbranded drug" because Jan Marini Skin Research promoted it as something that increases eyelash growth and because it is "adulterated" with bimatoprost.
Fat-reducing properties
Reductions in orbital fat (i.e., fat around the eye) have been observed in patients using bimatoprost as glaucoma therapy. Of particular interest, the loss of orbital fat was unilateral in patients who used bimatoprost on only one eye. The effect appears reversible upon cessation of bimatoprost use. The effect is likely to explain deepening of the lid sulcus described in a series of three patients on bimatoprost. The mechanism for the apparent fat reduction remains unclear. However, bimatoprost is chemically analogous to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2alpha), a compound which is known to reduce fat by inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and survival.Formulations
Lumigan is a 0.03% solution of bimatoprost, and contains benzalkonium chlorideBenzalkonium chloride
Benzalkonium chloride, also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and ADBAC, is a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides of various even-numbered alkyl chain lengths. This product is a nitrogenous cationic surface-acting agent belonging to the quaternary ammonium group...
as a preservative. Contact lens
Contact lens
A contact lens, or simply contact, is a lens placed on the eye. They are considered medical devices and can be worn to correct vision, for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons. In 2004, it was estimated that 125 million people use contact lenses worldwide, including 28 to 38 million in the United...
es should therefore be removed before use, and replaced no less than 15 minutes later; other eye drops or ointments should be given no less than 5 minutes before or after bimatoprost. It is administered once daily.
Efficacy
Studies have shown once-daily bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution to be more effective than timolol twice daily in reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and as effective as or more effective than the prostaglandin analogues latanoprost and travoprost in reducing IOP.Side effects
Possible side effects of this medication are:- May cause blurred vision.
- May cause eyelid redness.
- May permanently darken eyelashes.
- May cause eye discomfort.
- May eventually cause permanent darkening of the irisIris (anatomy)The iris is a thin, circular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupils and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. "Eye color" is the color of the iris, which can be green, blue, or brown. In some cases it can be hazel , grey, violet, or even pink...
to brown. - May cause a temporary burning sensation during use.
- May cause thickening of the eyelashes.
- It may cause unexpected growth of hair if applied inappropriately, on the cheek, for example.
- It may cause infection if the one-time applicators which come with the genuine product are reused.
- Lashes may grow so long that they become ingrown and scratch the cornea.
- May cause darkening of the eyelid or of the area beneath the eye.
On November 19, 2007, the FDA issued a warning during the seizure of a bimatoprost-containing cosmetic. The warning stated that "the extra dose of bimatoprost may decrease the prescription drug's effectiveness. Damage to the optic nerve may lead to decreased vision and possibly blindness."
External links
- Medical News Today: FDA Seizes $2 Million Of Cosmetic Eye Product Which Contains Drug Ingredient And Makes Unapproved Drug Claims Christian Nordqvist 18 Nov 2007 - 11:00 PST
- Wired Science: FDA Seizes Cosmetic That Can Blind Brandon Keim November 19, 2007 11:00:00 AM