Important Safety information
This information is to help you make an informed decision about the use of Bimatoprost 0.03% for the treatment of insufficient eye lashes (hypotrichosis). Since 2008, Bimatoprost 0.03% has been licensed for use in the USA by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for hypotrichosis. If Bimatoprost 0.03% is currently prescribed in the U.K. it must be as an off label use of an existing licensed medication.
There are currently no other licensed medications for the treatment of insufficient eyelashes in the UK.
Evidence for Bimatoprost 0.03%
Bimatoprost 0.03% is intended to treat insufficient eyelashes, by increasing the length, thickness and darkness. The effectiveness and safety of Bimatoprost 0.03% in making eyelashes, longer, thicker and darker has been demonstrated in properly conducted clinical trials (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Volume 66, Issue 5 , Pages 801-806, May 2012).
In clinical trials, regular treatment over 4 months made eyelashes 25% longer, 106% fuller, and 18% darker.
Potential side effects
Bimatoprost 0.03% is usually a very well tolerated medication, but all medications have potential side effects. In clinical trials less than 4% of patients using Bimatoprost 0.03% showed only minor side effects such such as mild red eyes which was reversible. Potential side effects include, but are not limited to the following:
1. A lowering of the eye pressure.
2. A change in the colour of the eyes that may be irreversible. People with hazel coloured eyes are most at risk of this.
3. A change to the colour of the skin around the eyes (usually darker – and has reported to be reversible after the medication is stopped).
4. Hair growth outside the treatment area.
5. Inflammation of the eyes.
6. Allergic reactions.
7. Macular oedema – fluid at the back of the eye which may affect vision.
8. Increase in tear production.
9. Loss of eye lashes and breakage of eyelashes.
10. A decrease in the fat around the eyes – this may affect the appearance of the eyes.
11. Blurring of vision.
12. Unexpected eyelash changes – including asymmetry between the eyes in eyelash length, thickness, darkness of colour, number of eyelashes, direction of eyelash growth, or vellus hairs (short, fine, uncoloured hairs).
13. An infection of the eyes.
Other Safety information
It is not advisable for Bimatoprost 0.03% to be used in the following groups, and the doctor should be informed prior to starting Bimatoprost 0.03% treatment:
1. Pregnancy – there are no adequate and well controlled studies of Bimatoprost 0.03% in pregnant women.
2. Nursing mothers – it is not known if Bimatoprost 0.03% is excreted in human milk.
3. Children.
4. Anyone with active eye disease.
5. Hypersensitivity – people with known allergies to benzalkonium chloride or other eye drop allergies.
Other information on the use of Bimatoprost 0.03%
1. Application - Bimatoprost 0.03% should be used at night using only the supplied disposable applicators. Before use, the face should be clean, all make up removed, and any contact lenses removed (there should be a gap of at least 15 minutes between the application of Bimatoprost 0.03% and the insertion of contact lenses). One drop of Bimatoprost 0.03% should be placed on the disposable applicator and brushed cautiously along the skin around the base of the upper eye lashes only. Only a small amount of Bimatoprost 0.03% should be used, and any excess material should be blotted with a tissue or other absorbent material. Bimatoprost 0.03% should not be used on the lower eyelashes. The effect on eyelash growth is gradual and may not be noticeable until 2-3 months of nightly use. The effect is not permanent and the eyelashes can be expected to gradually return back to the original level after discontinuation.
2. Handling the bottle and applicator - to avoid infections, the bottle must be kept intact. The tip of the bottle and applicator must not touch surrounding structures, fingers, or other unintended surfaces to avoid contamination by bacteria.
3. When to seek medical help – if a patient develops any new ocular condition (eg trauma or infection), a sudden decrease in visual acuity, have ocular surgery, develop any ocular reactions (particularly conjunctivitis and eyelid reactions) then he /she must seek consultation with the Doctor concerning the continued use of Bimatoprost 0.03%.
Alternate Treatment options
There are currently no alternative fully licensed medications for the improvement of eyelashes in the U.K. Bimatoprost 0.03% has good evidence for effectiveness and safety in the published scientific literature.
The medication will not work instantly and requires several months of nightly use for maximum effectiveness. If you wish an instant change to the appearance of your eyelashes for a specific event, then other alternatives should be considered such as eyelash extensions or false eyelashes.
There are currently no other licensed medications for the treatment of insufficient eyelashes in the UK.
Evidence for Bimatoprost 0.03%
Bimatoprost 0.03% is intended to treat insufficient eyelashes, by increasing the length, thickness and darkness. The effectiveness and safety of Bimatoprost 0.03% in making eyelashes, longer, thicker and darker has been demonstrated in properly conducted clinical trials (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Volume 66, Issue 5 , Pages 801-806, May 2012).
In clinical trials, regular treatment over 4 months made eyelashes 25% longer, 106% fuller, and 18% darker.
Potential side effects
Bimatoprost 0.03% is usually a very well tolerated medication, but all medications have potential side effects. In clinical trials less than 4% of patients using Bimatoprost 0.03% showed only minor side effects such such as mild red eyes which was reversible. Potential side effects include, but are not limited to the following:
1. A lowering of the eye pressure.
2. A change in the colour of the eyes that may be irreversible. People with hazel coloured eyes are most at risk of this.
3. A change to the colour of the skin around the eyes (usually darker – and has reported to be reversible after the medication is stopped).
4. Hair growth outside the treatment area.
5. Inflammation of the eyes.
6. Allergic reactions.
7. Macular oedema – fluid at the back of the eye which may affect vision.
8. Increase in tear production.
9. Loss of eye lashes and breakage of eyelashes.
10. A decrease in the fat around the eyes – this may affect the appearance of the eyes.
11. Blurring of vision.
12. Unexpected eyelash changes – including asymmetry between the eyes in eyelash length, thickness, darkness of colour, number of eyelashes, direction of eyelash growth, or vellus hairs (short, fine, uncoloured hairs).
13. An infection of the eyes.
Other Safety information
It is not advisable for Bimatoprost 0.03% to be used in the following groups, and the doctor should be informed prior to starting Bimatoprost 0.03% treatment:
1. Pregnancy – there are no adequate and well controlled studies of Bimatoprost 0.03% in pregnant women.
2. Nursing mothers – it is not known if Bimatoprost 0.03% is excreted in human milk.
3. Children.
4. Anyone with active eye disease.
5. Hypersensitivity – people with known allergies to benzalkonium chloride or other eye drop allergies.
Other information on the use of Bimatoprost 0.03%
1. Application - Bimatoprost 0.03% should be used at night using only the supplied disposable applicators. Before use, the face should be clean, all make up removed, and any contact lenses removed (there should be a gap of at least 15 minutes between the application of Bimatoprost 0.03% and the insertion of contact lenses). One drop of Bimatoprost 0.03% should be placed on the disposable applicator and brushed cautiously along the skin around the base of the upper eye lashes only. Only a small amount of Bimatoprost 0.03% should be used, and any excess material should be blotted with a tissue or other absorbent material. Bimatoprost 0.03% should not be used on the lower eyelashes. The effect on eyelash growth is gradual and may not be noticeable until 2-3 months of nightly use. The effect is not permanent and the eyelashes can be expected to gradually return back to the original level after discontinuation.
2. Handling the bottle and applicator - to avoid infections, the bottle must be kept intact. The tip of the bottle and applicator must not touch surrounding structures, fingers, or other unintended surfaces to avoid contamination by bacteria.
3. When to seek medical help – if a patient develops any new ocular condition (eg trauma or infection), a sudden decrease in visual acuity, have ocular surgery, develop any ocular reactions (particularly conjunctivitis and eyelid reactions) then he /she must seek consultation with the Doctor concerning the continued use of Bimatoprost 0.03%.
Alternate Treatment options
There are currently no alternative fully licensed medications for the improvement of eyelashes in the U.K. Bimatoprost 0.03% has good evidence for effectiveness and safety in the published scientific literature.
The medication will not work instantly and requires several months of nightly use for maximum effectiveness. If you wish an instant change to the appearance of your eyelashes for a specific event, then other alternatives should be considered such as eyelash extensions or false eyelashes.