Bimatoprost

The recommended dose of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) is one drop in the affected eye(s) in the evening. Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) should not be used more than once a day, since using this medication more often than once a day may cause it to be less effective in lowering the pressure in the eye.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

To use the eye drops:

1. Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
2. Remove the cap and place it in a clean location. To avoid possible contamination, keep the tip of the container away from contact with any surface.
3. Tilt the head back and look towards the ceiling.
4. With your index finger, gently pull the lower eyelid down and away from the eye to form a pouch.
5. Apply one drop into the pouch but do not allow the tip of the container to touch the eye or areas around the eye.
6. Gently apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye (at the bridge of the nose) for about 30 seconds (this is called nasolacrimal occlusion). This prevents the medication from dripping down through the tear duct and entering the bloodstream, which could cause you to experience some side effects.
7. Repeat with the other eye, if prescribed by your physician.
8. Wash your hands again to remove any medication.

Do not allow the dropper tip of the bottle to touch the eye or other surrounding structures. This can contaminate the tip with common bacteria known to cause Eye Infections. Serious damage to the eye may result if you use eye drop solutions that have become contaminated.

If you are using other eye drops, apply them at least 5 minutes apart.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before instilling Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) into your eye. You may put your contact lenses back in 15 minutes after using the medication.

If you miss a dose, instill it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children. Safely discard any medication remaining in the dropper bottle 30 days after first opening the bottle.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may increase the length of your eyelashes; it may change the colour of your eyes over time - this is more likely among people who already have some brown eye coloring; it may cause redness of the eyes; when used, it may cause a temporary burning sensation; it may cause a stinging sensation. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

0.03% Ophthalmic Solution
Each mL of clear, colourless, sterile solution contains 0.3 mg of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost). Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride 0.005% w/v as preservative, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, citric acid monohydrate, and purified water. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) and any of the following:

• Latanoprost
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, Naproxen)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost).

Blurred vision: Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) may cause temporarily blurred vision immediately after putting the drops in your eyes. Avoid driving or operating hazardous equipment until your vision clears.

Contact lenses: Contact lenses should be removed before Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) eye drops are applied, and not reinserted for 15 minutes after application of the drops. The preservative in these eye drops can build up on contact lenses and cause the lens to discolour.

Eye changes: Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) may gradually change the colour of the eye, increasing the amount of brown pigment in the iris (coloured part of the eye). The long-term effects on the eye and the chances of injury to the eye are currently unknown. The change in colour may be permanent. The change in colour occurs slowly, and may not be noticeable for several months or years. Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) has also been reported to cause darkening, thickening, and lengthening of eyelashes.

Eye conditions: Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) should not be used by people with certain types of eye conditions (e.g., uveitis, certain lens problems). If you have eye conditions other than open-angle glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: The effects of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) have not been studied for use by people with decreased kidney function. If you have Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: The effects of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) have not been studied for use by people with decreased liver function. If you have liver disease or reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

<p>Bimatoprost (<a href="/drug/lumigan">Bimatoprost</a>) belongs to a class of medications called <i>prostamides</i>. It is available in eye-drop form and is used to <b>reduce the pressure inside the eye</b> for people with open-angle Glaucoma or <i>intraocular hypertension</i> (increased pressure in the eye).</p><p> Fluid is constantly being formed and drained out of the eye. When this fluid does not drain out of the eye properly, pressure inside the eye increases. Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) works by increasing the flow of fluid out of the eye. It starts to work within 4 hours after being instilled in the eye.</p><p> <b>Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms.</b> Any specific brand name of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.</p><p> <b>Your doctor may have suggested Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles.</b> If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. <b>Do not stop using Bimatoprost (Bimatoprost) without consulting your doctor.</b></p><p><b>Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do.</b> It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.</p>