Lumigan is a brand-name prescription eye drop medication that reduces pressure inside the eye. It’s administered as eye drops directly to the surface of the eye once daily in the evening. The active ingredient in Lumigan is bimatoprost. It works by increasing the flow of water from the eye. Because of its effectiveness and safety, eye doctors typically use it as a first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma.
Lumigan overview
BRAND NAMES:
Lumigan
Generic Names:
Bimatoprost
Uses:
Lumigan treats open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension
Therapeutic Classes:
Prostaglandin analog, antiglaucoma agent
Forms:
Ophthalmic solution (eye drop)
How it’s taken:
Into the eye
What is Lumigan used for?
Lumigan reduces pressure inside the eye for people with open-angle glaucoma or high eye pressure (ocular hypertension).
What form(s) does Lumigan come in
Ophthalmic solution
0.01% (0.1 mg/mL)
What are common Lumigan doses?
For glaucoma or ocular hypertension: One eye drop in each affected eye administered once daily in the evening
Common Lumigan prescriptions
Lumigan
2.5ml of 0.01% bottleLumigan
5ml of 0.01% bottleLumigan
7.5ml of 0.01% bottle
How to take Lumigan
Take this medicine as prescribed. Do not use more than directed.
Please read any instruction sheet given to you by the doctor or clinic. It should answer most of your questions.
Administer doses in the evening unless instructed otherwise. Administer doses at the same time every day.
If you’re using other eye drops, apply bimatoprost at least five minutes before or five minutes after administering other eye drops.
When administering doses, do not let the tip of the bottle touch anything, including your hands or eyes.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying the drops.
Remove any contact lenses.
Tilt your head back so you’re looking at the ceiling.
Pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
With the other hand, hold the dropper close to your eye, but don’t touch the eye or the eyelid.
Squeeze one drop into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball.
Close your eyes and gently press the inside corner of the eyelid.
Use a tissue to blot up any excess liquid.
Repeat this process for the other eye if relevant.
Immediately secure the cap on the bottle.
Wait for at least 15 minutes before putting contact lenses back in.
Store the closed Lumigan bottle upright at room temperature. Lumigan can be stored at temperatures as low as 36˚F.
Throw away the bottle and any remaining medicine after the expiration date.
What to do if you miss a dose of Lumigan
The instruction sheet given to you by the doctor or clinic may have instructions about missed doses if it doesn’t, ask the eye doctor for recommendations.
Most medical professionals will advise that you take a missed dose as soon as it’s remembered.
If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.
Take the next dose as scheduled.
Do not take extra medicine to compensate for a forgotten dose.
Lumigan contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to bimatoprost.
Lumigan warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Lumigan is prescribed to people with eye problems that require regular examinations to monitor the condition and its treatment. Keep all appointments.
Before starting Lumigan therapy, the eye doctor will check for pre-existing eye conditions. Lumigan may cause problems in people with these conditions. These include:
Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis)
Swelling of the center of the retina (macular edema)
Risk factors for macular edema
Lens abnormalities (no lens or an artificial lens)
Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Lumigan can cause noticeable problems, including:
Darkening of the eye (increased pigmentation of the iris)
Eyelash changes (increased length, thickness, or number of eyelashes)
When used incorrectly, Lumigan and other eye drop medications can cause bacterial eye infections. Take special precautions to avoid contaminating the bottle. Do not touch the tip of the bottle with any object, including your eyes and hands. Do not share the medicine with other people.
The preservative in Lumigan will discolor soft contact lenses. Always remove contact lenses before administering Lumigan drops.
Lumigan interactions
Lumigan has no reported drug interactions.
Lumigan side effects
Serious Side Effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:
Eye pain, eye redness, vision changes, light sensitivity, floaters
Eye discharge, a feeling that something is in your eye
Blurred vision, other vision changes
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less Serious Side Effects
Eye redness
Eyelash growth and darkening
Itchy eyes
Sources:
Bimatoprost, StatPearls
Lumigan, Allergan
Lumigan drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference
Lumigan bimatoprost solution/drops prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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