Bimatoprost
Description
Bimatoprost is a medicine used to treat eye conditions such as ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma that cause increased pressure inside the eyes. This medicine works by reducing the fluid pressure inside the eyes.
Bimatoprost shows side effects such as irritation, itching, discomfort, or redness in the eyes. It may also cause blurred vision immediately after instilling the medicine in your eyes. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines until your vision is clear. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Bimatoprost should be used regularly, as directed by your doctor, to get the most benefit from it. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor. If you wear contact lenses, make sure you remove them before instilling the medication in your eyes and wait for at least 15 minutes before putting them back.
Bimatoprost should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you are using any other medicines to your eyes or have any other eye problems. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Bimatoprost
- Blurred vision
- Eye color changes
- Eye discharge
- Headache
- Burning or itching of eyes
- Redness of the eye
- Eye swelling
- Denser eyelash
Uses of Bimatoprost
What is it prescribed for?
- Intraocular hypertension
- Open angle Glaucoma
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionBimatoprost may start showing its action within 4 hours after administration.
- Duration of effectBimatoprost may remain effective for approximately 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?Bimatoprost has no habit-forming tendency.
- Usage in pregnancy?Bimatoprost is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Bimatoprost is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid using Bimatoprost if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat, eyes), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Bimatoprost is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Bimatoprost is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
Contact lens
Bimatoprost is not recommended for use if you are wearing contact lenses. Remove the contact lenses before administration of eye drops and wait for 15 minutes before putting them back in the eyes.
Eyelash changes and Pigmentation
Bimatoprost may gradually cause changes in the eyelashes such as an increase in the length, thickness, pigmentation, and/or the number of lashes or hairs. It may also cause misdirected growth of eyelashes. This medicine may also change the eye colour by increasing the amount of brown pigment in the iris (coloured part of the eye).
Driving or operating machines
Bimatoprost may cause temporary blurring of vision or visual disturbances after instilling the eye drops. If you experience such symptoms, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines.
Bacterial keratitis
If Bimatoprost get contaminated by bacteria on multiple-use, it can lead to bacterial keratitis (an infection of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eyes). Hence, avoid touching the tip of the dropper against your eye or other surfaces. Close the cover of the bottle after administration to keep it clean and free from contamination.
Missed Dose
If you forget to instill the dose of Bimatoprost at a given time, instill it in your eyes as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
As Bimatoprost is intended for external use, the likelihood of side effects due to an overdose is low. However, do not administer more than the prescribed dose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Latanoprost
Travoprost
Disease interactions
Macular oedema
Macular oedema refers to a build-up of fluid in the macula, an area in the centre of the retina responsible for giving a clear vision. Bimatoprost should be used with caution if you have macular oedema as it may damage your vision.
Uveitis
Uveitis refers to swelling inside your eyes. Bimatoprost may cause uveitis. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have active intraocular inflammation (swelling inside your eyes).
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Instill Bimatoprost in the affected eye(s) as directed by your doctor.
Wait for at least 5-10 minutes before instilling other medications in the same eye.
Avoid touching the tip of the dropper against your eye or other surfaces. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip. Always close the cover of the bottle after use to keep it clean and free from contamination.
Your eyelashes may become denser and the skin around the eyelids may darken during treatment with Bimatoprost.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Bimatoprost work by reducing the fluid pressure inside the eyes.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Ophthalmic glaucoma agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - BIMATOPROST solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].
2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].
Mri.cts-mrp.eu. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Bimatoprost 0.3 mg/ml eye drops, solution - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 November 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 22 Dec 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.