Bimatoprost Eye Drop

What is this medication for?

Bimatoprost belongs to a class of medications called prostaglandin analogues, which is used to treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition where the nerve in the eye is damaged, and is usually associated with increased eye pressure. Untreated glaucoma can affect your eyesight and cause blindness. Bimatoprost lowers eye pressure by helping fluid drain out of your eye.

Bimatoprost may also be used for other indications as prescribed by your doctor.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Proper use of eye drop
  • Wash your hands with soap and water, and read the instructions on the label.
  • While seated, tilt your head backwards and look up. You may also lie down. 
  • Using your index finger, gently pull down the lower eyelid to form a pocket and instil one drop into the eye. Make sure the tip does not touch the eye or any other surface to prevent it from getting dirty.
  • Close your eyes gently and wipe off any excess eye drops around your eyes with a clean tissue.
  • Keep your eyes closed and press down gently on the inner corner of your eye for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medication to be absorbed.
  • If you need to use more than 1 drop of medication, or if you are using another type of eye drop, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before applying the next eye drop. 
• For more details on how to apply eye drops, click on this link for a step-by-step guide: https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/a-step-by-step-guide-on-how-to-instil-eye-drops
• Do not stop using your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to use a dose, use it as soon as you remember if it is not close to the next dose. Otherwise, you should skip the missed dose and use the next dose at the usual time. Do not use two doses together to make up for the missed dose.   

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• Stinging or burning sensation in the eyes
• Eye redness
• Eye itch
• Eye dryness and irritation
• Eyelid skin darkening and eyelash changes (increased length, thickness, darkening and/or number of eyelashes)
  • Close your eyes gently and wipe off any excess eye drops around your eyes with a clean tissue after application. Avoid repeated contact of the eye drop with the skin.

If these side effects happen and do not go away, check with your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty breathing
• Itchy skin rashes around your eyes or over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

• For multi-dose bottle  

  • Record the date of opening on the eye drop bottle. Discard this medication one month after opening. 

• For single-use vial 

  • Discard the vial immediately after use. Do not re-cap the vial for reuse even if there is any solution remaining. 

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

What else should I know about this medication? 

Eye colour may change permanently due to a gradual increase in brown pigments in the eye. This side effect is observed mainly in patients with mixed-colored eyes, i.e. blue-brown, grey-brown, yellow-brown and green-brown.

If you have any question about this medication, please discuss with your healthcare professional.