Two medicines, side by side
Bimatoprost vs latanoprost
Bimatoprost and latanoprost are both labeled for glaucoma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of bimatoprost since 2001 and of latanoprost since 1996. Pharmacies paid $6.97 per mL (Bimatoprost 0.03% eye drops) and $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Bimatoprost, “Bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analog, is a synthetic structural analog of prostaglandin with ocular hypotensive activity.”; Latanoprost, “Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor.”
Check it at the source: the bimatoprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2024); the latanoprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 18, 2025).
Highlights of the bimatoprost record
Bimatoprost (Lumigan) · label of June 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsLUMIGAN ® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.01% is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. LUMIGAN ® 0.01% is a prostaglandin analog indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 16, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 13 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $6.97 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the latanoprost record
Latanoprost (Xalatan) · label of December 18, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsXELPROS (latanoprost ophthalmic emulsion) 0.005% is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. XELPROS is a prostaglandin F 2α analog indicated for reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma, or ocular hypertension.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 5, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.58 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Bimatoprost label of June 22, 2024, Latanoprost label of December 18, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bimatoprost and latanoprost differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Bimatoprost, “Bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analog, is a synthetic structural analog of prostaglandin with ocular hypotensive activity.”; Latanoprost, “Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor.”
Both are in FDA's class prostaglandin analogs.
Generics: bimatoprost since 2014; latanoprost since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bimatoprost | Latanoprost | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Glaucoma | Glaucoma |
| Pharmacologic class | Prostaglandin Analog | Prostaglandin Analog |
| How it works (label) | Bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analog, is a synthetic structural analog of prostaglandin with ocular hypotensive activity. It selectively mimics the effects of naturally occurring substances, prostamides. | Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F 2α analogue that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor. |
| Half-life (label) | cretion Following an intravenous dose of radiolabeled bimatoprost (3.12 mcg/kg) to six healthy subjects, the maximum blood concentration of unchanged drug was 12.2 ng/mL and decreased rapidly with an elimination … | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 16, 2001 | June 5, 1996 |
| First generic approved | December 1, 2014 | March 22, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 13 labelers | 14 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $6.97 per mL (Bimatoprost 0.03% eye drops) | $1.58 per mL (Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -45% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 28,651 | 50,627 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to bimatoprost
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions