bimatoprost
Brand names: Lumigan
Bimatoprost eye drops help lower pressure in the eye. It is used for people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$96.35/unit
Generic Price
$10.55/unit
Generic Savings
89%
Generic Available
Yes (9 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats high pressure inside your eye.
Common side effects
Redness of the eye (conjunctival hyperemia), Increased eyelash growth, Eye itching (ocular pruritus)
Key warnings
Bimatoprost can cause increased brown pigmentation of the iris, which is likely to be permanent.
How It Works
Bimatoprost is like a natural substance in your body. It works by helping fluid drain better from inside your eye. This lowers the pressure in your eye.
How to Take It
Use one drop in the affected eye(s) once a day, in the evening. Do not use it more than once a day. Using it more often can make it less effective. If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using bimatoprost.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if bimatoprost is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if bimatoprost passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store bimatoprost eye drops in the refrigerator between 36°F to 77°F (2°C to 25°C).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 17,662 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 28,128 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
28,128
Death-Related Reports
761
Hospitalization Reports
3,060
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 4,071 |
| 2 | TREATMENT FAILURE | 3,077 |
| 3 | OCULAR HYPERAEMIA | 2,333 |
| 4 | EYE IRRITATION | 1,841 |
| 5 | MADAROSIS | 1,386 |
| 6 | EYE PRURITUS | 1,320 |
| 7 | ERYTHEMA OF EYELID | 1,012 |
| 8 | EYE PAIN | 937 |
| 9 | HYPERSENSITIVITY | 851 |
| 10 | VISION BLURRED | 834 |
| 11 | INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE INCREASED | 715 |
| 12 | FATIGUE | 705 |
| 13 | OFF LABEL USE | 701 |
| 14 | HEADACHE | 673 |
| 15 | DRY EYE | 647 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Bimatoprost can cause increased brown pigmentation of the iris, which is likely to be permanent. It can also cause your eyelashes to get longer, thicker, and more numerous. These eyelash changes are usually reversible when you stop using the medicine. This medicine may also cause inflammation inside the eye. Use caution if you have active inflammation in the eye. Macular edema has been reported with bimatoprost. Use with caution if you have risk factors for macular edema.
Common Questions
Can bimatoprost change my eye color?
Will my eyelashes grow longer with this medicine?
What if my eyes get red after using the drops?
Can I use bimatoprost with my contact lenses?
What should I do if I experience eye pain?
How long does it take for bimatoprost to start working?
Can I use bimatoprost more than once a day to lower my eye pressure faster?
What if I accidentally put too many drops in my eye?
Can children use bimatoprost?
What ingredients are in bimatoprost eye drops?
What are the common side effects of bimatoprost?
What drug class is bimatoprost?
Is there a generic version of bimatoprost?
Is bimatoprost safe during pregnancy?
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What the FDA Data Shows for bimatoprost
The FDA label for bimatoprost (sold under brand names such as Lumigan) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Prostaglandin Analog (Ophthalmic) class. This medicine treats high pressure inside your eye. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Redness of the eye (conjunctival hyperemia), Increased eyelash growth, Eye itching (ocular pruritus).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 17,662 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $10.55 versus $96.35 for the brand — a 89% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: July 17, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages