About Lumigan
Generic Name: Bimatoprost Ophthalmic
Lumigan is a prostaglandin analog which is used for the treatment of ocular hypertension. It contains bimatoprost as an active ingredient. It manages intraocular pressure by enhancing outflow rate of the fluids which are secreted in the eyes.
Indication/Usage: Lumigan is approved for the treatment of ocular hypertension in patients with open angle glaucoma. It is also used in the treatment of the progression of glaucoma. Bimatoprost is also approved by US FDA in December 2008 for its cosmetic use as lengthening of eyelashes. It is also reported in recent studies that bimatoprost also has ability to reduce adipose (fat) tissues. It should be used only in patients above 16 years as it is studied only in such population.
Dose, Administration and Dosage forms: Lumigan is manufactured in topically administered solution formulation. This solution is available in two strengths as bimatoprost 0.1 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL. This solution contains benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. Lumigan should be administered as prescribed by ophthalmologist or one drop in the affected eye(s) 1x/day in the evening as more than 1x/day may decrease its potency of lowering intraocular pressure. It shows its action after around 4 hours of administration and reaches to maximum effect in about 8 to 12 hours. It should be stored at 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F).
If any patient is contact lenses user then these lenses must be removed before administration of the Lumigan and should be replaced after 15 minutes of its administration.
Mechanism of action: Lumigan contains bimatoprost an active ingredient which is a new synthetic structural prostaglandin analog. Bimatoprost shows ocular hypotensive effects primarily by 26% reduction in the tonographic resistance to outflow. It also helps in stimulation of the aqueous humor flow rate by enhancing the pressure-sensitive outflow pathway. It lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) via both the trabecular meshwork and uveoscleral routes. Reduced tonographic resistance to aqueous humor outflow results in reducing the steady state IOP which is actually required for the treatment of glaucoma. Its reduction in outflow resistance property is an exclusive to bimatoprost.
Mechanism of action: Lumigan contains bimatoprost an active ingredient which is a new synthetic structural prostaglandin analog. Bimatoprost shows ocular hypotensive effects primarily by 26% reduction in the tonographic resistance to outflow. It also helps in stimulation of the aqueous humor flow rate by enhancing the pressure-sensitive outflow pathway. It lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) via both the trabecular meshwork and uveoscleral routes. Reduced tonographic resistance to aqueous humor outflow results in reducing the steady state IOP which is actually required for the treatment of glaucoma. Its reduction in outflow resistance property is an exclusive to bimatoprost.
Warnings/Contraindications:
- Its use in patients below the age of 16 years is not recommended because of potential safety issue related to increased pigmentation.
- After stopping Lumigan therapy, the pigmentation and darkening of eye color likely to be permanent.
- Don't touch the tip of dispensing bottle as this may lead to contamination of solution, which may seriously damage to eyes. Bacterial keratitis has been reported with the use of multiple-dose containers.
- Iris color may change to brown and may remain unnoticed for several months to years.
- Macular edema has been reported during bimatoprost therapy, so it should be used with caution in aphakic patients, or in patients with macular edema.
- Bimatoprost is categorized as pregnancy category C drug. Abortion has been reported in preclinical studies with 33 to 97 doses, so, it must not be used in pregnant women.
- It has been reported in preclinical studies that bimatoprost excretes via breast milk, so it must not be prescribed to nursing women.
|