Lumigan Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Lumigan Eye Drops contain bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analog used to lower high pressure inside the eye and treat glaucoma. They are applied once daily, in the evening, and work by helping fluid drain more easily from the eye. Lumigan is available as an eye drop solution and is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years.

What is Lumigan Eye Drops

Lumigan is a prescription eye drop containing bimatoprost, from the prostaglandin analog (antiglaucoma agent) drug class. It is used to lower high pressure inside the eye and to treat glaucoma.

Lumigan Eye Drops uses

• Lowering raised pressure in the eye
• Treating open-angle glaucoma
• Treating ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye)

Benefits of Lumigan Eye Drops

• Lowers eye pressure (intraocular pressure)
• Helps control pressure in glaucoma
• Supports treatment of open-angle glaucoma
• Reduces high eye pressure linked with ocular hypertension

How Lumigan Eye Drops works

Lumigan lowers the pressure inside the eye by helping fluid drain out of the eye more easily.

Lumigan Eye Drops dosage

Use the drops in the evening, at about the same time each day. If you use more than one eye drop product, wait 5 minutes between each one; if also using an eye ointment, use the ointment last. Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses; remove them before using the drops and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in. Wash your hands before and after using the drops.

Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid to form a pocket, and release one drop without letting the bottle tip touch your eye. Close your eye without blinking or rubbing, and gently press on the inside corner of your eye near the nose for about two minutes after applying the drop. Do not let the dropper tip touch your eye, eyelid, or any other surface. Continue using the drops every evening unless your doctor tells you to stop. Lumigan is not approved for use in children and adolescents under 18 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• Eye drops (ophthalmic solution)

Side effects of Lumigan Eye Drops

Common

• Red, congested eyes
• Itching or irritation of the eye
• Feeling of something in the eye
• Dry eye
• Growth of eyelashes
• Redness in or around eye or eyelid
• Watery eyes
• Inflamed eyelids
• Eye discomfort
• Eye strain
• Burning of the eye and nearby eyelid
• Sensitivity to light
• Darkening of the area around the eye
• Eyelash darkening
• Darkening of the coloured part of the eye (iris)
• Headache
• Feeling weak and tired
• Symptoms of a cold such as runny nose or nasal congestion
• Excessive or abnormal hair growth where the product contacts the skin
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Allergic skin reaction (rash, itching, hives)
• Blurred vision

Serious

• Eye discharge
• Eye pain
• Small spots on the eye surface
• Blurred vision or changes in/disturbance of vision
• Macular edema (build-up of fluid at the back of the eye causing blurry vision)
• Spasm of the eyelids with uncontrolled blinking and squeezing
• High blood pressure
• Asthma or worsening of asthma
• Difficulty breathing
• Depression (low mood, feelings of worthlessness)
• Severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the tongue, lips and throat, and difficulty breathing

Warnings and precautions

• It is not known if Lumigan is safe during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using this medicine. 
• It is not known if Lumigan passes into breast milk, so tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had problems with your liver or kidneys before using this medicine. 
• It is not known how alcohol affects this medicine, so check with your doctor if you are unsure. Your vision may be blurry after using the drops, so wait until your vision clears before driving or using machines.
• Do not use Lumigan if you are allergic to bimatoprost or any ingredient in it, or if the bottle seal is broken or the packaging looks tampered with.
• Lumigan can cause permanent changes to your eyes, including loss of fat around the eye, a deeper eyelid crease, a sunken appearance, drooping eyelid, and darkening of the eyelashes, skin, and iris.
• Do not touch the dropper tip to your eye or any surface, as a contaminated dropper can cause a serious eye infection leading to vision loss or eye damage.
• Do not stop using Lumigan without checking with your doctor, because your eye pressure could rise again and damage your eye.
• Tell your doctor about any past eye problems, such as inflammation, surgery, retinal detachment, lens problems, diabetes-related eye disease, low blood pressure or slow heartbeat, or lung or breathing problems, before using this medicine.

Storage

• Store it in a cool dry place, below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, or sunlight
• Do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills
• Ensure the lid is closed tightly after each use
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it
• Discard the bottle 28 days after first opening it
• If your doctor advises you no longer need the medicine, or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date has passed

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing.
• Call your doctor straight away if you develop eye problems such as injury, change of vision, infection in the eye or eyelid, or if you need eye surgery, or if you become pregnant while using this medicine.
• Call your doctor right away if you have vision changes, since this could be a sign of macular edema (fluid buildup in the eye).
• If the medicine is accidentally swallowed, contact your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call a poison control center right away, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Alternatives

• Tafluprost
• Travoprost
• Latanoprost