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What is bimatoprost ophthalmic?

Bimatoprost ophthalmic reduces pressure in the eye by increasing the amount of fluid that drains from the eye.

Bimatoprost ophthalmic is used to treat certain types of glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye. Bimatoprost is also used to improve fullness, length, and color of the eyelashes in people with a condition called hypotrichosis (HYE-poe-trye-KOE-sis), a lack of eyelash growth.

Bimatoprost ophthalmic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Precautions

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to bimatoprost.

Before using bimatoprost, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have swelling or infection of your eye.

Bimatoprost ophthalmic may cause a gradual change in the color of your eyes or eyelids and lashes, as well as increased growth or thickness of your eyelashes. These color changes, usually an increase in brown pigment, occur slowly and you may not notice them for months or years. Color changes may be permanent even after your treatment ends, and may occur only in the eye being treated. This could result in a cosmetic difference in eye or eyelash color from one eye to the other.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether bimatoprost is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether bimatoprost passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Avoid using too much of this medication, which can actually make it less effective in lowering the pressure inside the eye.

Avoid using any eyedrop medicine that has not been prescribed by your doctor.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of bimatoprost ophthalmic used in the eyes is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using bimatoprost ophthalmic and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • redness, swelling, itching, or pain in or around your eye;
  • oozing or discharge from your eye;
  • increased sensitivity to light;
  • vision changes.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • mild eye discomfort;
  • dizziness;
  • feeling like something is in your eye;
  • dry or watery eyes; or
  • stinging or burning of the eyes after using the drops.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Interactions

There may be other drugs that can affect bimatoprost ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04