Bimatoprost

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as eye exams) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using bimatoprost and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Use this medication in the affected eye(s) as directed by your doctor, usually once a day in the evening. Do not use bimatoprost more often because it will not work as well.

To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.

If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before using your eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after each dose before putting your lenses back in.

Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed.

Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use, and keep the cap tightly closed.

If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.

Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. Keep using bimatoprost even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eye do not have symptoms.

Before using bimatoprost, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (such as latanoprost, travoprost); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride or silver), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: eye problems (such as macular edema, iritis, uveitis, lens extraction/aphakia).

If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about the continued use of your current bottle of bimatoprost. You may be advised to start using a new bottle.

After you apply this drug, your vision may become temporarily blurred or unstable. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs clear vision until you can do it safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669.

Burning/stinging/irritation/redness of the eye, feeling as if something is in your eye, dry eyes, watering eyes, and increased sensitivity to light may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

This medication may slowly turn the colored part of your eye (the iris) brown over months to years of use. If you use bimatoprost in only one eye, only that eye may change color. You might also notice more eyelashes, longer and thicker eyelashes, and darker eyelashes or eyelids on the treated eye. These changes might not go away. Get regular eye exams and tell your doctor if you see any of these changes.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: vision changes, eye pain/swelling, swelling/redness of the eyelids.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.