Latisse^® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%

A: Only LATISSE^® has been approved by the FDA as a prescription treatment to grow eyelashes in people with inadequate or not enough eyelashes.

A: LATISSE^® is believed to prolong the anagen (active growth) phase.¹ The exact way it works is unknown.

A: Patients should be informed that LATISSE^® should be applied every night using only the accompanying sterile applicators. They should start by ensuring their face is clean, all makeup is removed, and their contact lenses removed (if applicable). Then carefully place one drop of LATISSE^® solution on the disposable sterile applicator and brush cautiously along the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the base of the eyelashes. If any LATISSE^® solution gets into the eye proper, it will not cause harm. The eye should not be rinsed. Patients should be informed not to apply to the lower eyelash line. Any excess solution outside the upper eyelid margin should be blotted with a tissue or other absorbent material.

A: Patients should be instructed that the LATISSE^® bottle must be maintained intact and to avoid allowing the tip of the bottle or applicator to contact surrounding structures, fingers, or any other unintended surface in order to avoid contamination of the bottle or applicator by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Patients should also be instructed to only use the applicator supplied with the product once and then discard since reuse could result in using a contaminated applicator. Serious infections may result from using contaminated solutions or applicators.

A: Hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes.

A: Patients should not use LATISSE^® solution if they are allergic to one of its ingredients.

A: Patients should tell their physician they are using LATISSE^® especially if they have a history of eye pressure problems. They should also tell anyone conducting an eye pressure screening that they are using LATISSE^® solution.

A: LATISSE^® solution is intended for use on the skin of the upper eyelid margins at the base of the eyelashes. DO NOT APPLY to the lower lid. If patients are using LUMIGAN^® or other products in the same class for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), or if they have a history of abnormal IOP, they should only use LATISSE^® under the close supervision of their physician.

LATISSE^® use may cause darkening of the eyelid skin, which may be reversible. LATISSE^® use may also cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye, which is likely to permanent.

It is possible for hair growth to occur in other areas of the skin that LATISSE^® frequently touches. Any excess solution outside the upper eyelid margin should be blotted with a tissue or other absorbent material to reduce the chance of this from happening. It is also possible for a difference in eyelash length, thickness, fullness, pigmentation, number of eyelash hairs, and/or direction of eyelash growth to occur between eyes. These differences, should they occur, will usually go away if the patient stops using LATISSE^® solution.

A: The most frequently reported adverse events were eye pruritus, conjunctival hyperemia, skin hyperpigmentation, ocular irritation, dry eye symptoms, and erythema of the eyelid. These events occurred in less than 4% of patients.

A: Increased iris pigmentation has occurred when bimatoprost solution was administered. Patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation, which is likely to be permanent.

A: Patients’ lashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.

A: LATISSE^® solution is available by prescription only and is distributed by Allergan to healthcare professionals’ offices and retail pharmacies.

A: It’s recommended that patients remove their contact lenses because LATISSE^® contains benzalkonium chloride (BAK), and this may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contacts may be reinserted 15 minutes following LATISSE^® administration.

A: Yes, patients can use mascara in addition to LATISSE^® solution.

A: It’s important for patients to remember that LATISSE^® solution works gradually. While they may start seeing longer lashes after 4 weeks, to reach maximum fullness and darkness, they must use LATISSE^® every day for 16 weeks. They should not reduce or stop daily application of LATISSE^® when they first notice results, as they have yet to achieve full, dramatic effects. After 16 weeks, they should talk to their doctor about ongoing use. Individual results may vary.

A: No, LATISSE^® should only be used with its FDA-approved sterile applicators, designed to help patients properly apply the product.

A: It is not expected to cause harm. Patients don’t need to rinse their eye. Reinforce the proper application instructions.