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Lumigan for Hair Growth

Occasionally, a drug prescribed to cure a certain illness or condition proves to be beneficial in other ways. The side effects of a drug aren't always negative, and for those who suffer from hair loss, Lumigan has proven positive.

  1. What is Lumigan?

    • Manufactured by the company Allergan, Lumigan is the brand name of the drug bimatropost. The prescription drug has been used topically in eye drops since 2001 to treat glaucoma by lowering eye pressure.

    Discovery of side effects

    • Allergan further researched bimatropost after finding that patients using Lumigan eye drops began to develop unusually lush lash lines. The result was the topical eyelash treatment serum known as Latisse, which gained FDA approval in early 2009.

    Latisse

    • The brand name medication for eyelash hypotrichosis, or lack of eyelash hair, contains a lower dose of bimatropost than Lumigan does, but still requires a prescription. As Latisse's active ingredient, bimatropost binds to the eyelash receptors believed to develop and re-grow hair follicles.

    Latisse side effects

    • Increased eyelash and scalp hair may be side effects of bimatropost in Latisse. Although the company has yet to research this, these effects may be positive for those who suffer from alopecia of the scalp or alopecia areata, the loss of hair on different areas of the body. Other side effects include darkening of the eye lid.

    Fun Fact

    • Famous actress/model Brook Shields represents Latisse in its television marketing campaign and has been an enthusiastic spokesperson for the company since Latisses's inception in February of 2009.

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