General Information

Lumigan has been approved by the FDA for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are intolerant of or insufficiently responsive to other IOP-lowering medications. Bimatoprost, the active ingredient in Lumigan, is a synthetic prostamide analog - it acts by mimicking the effects of prostamides, which are naturally occurring substances. It is believed to lower intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of fluid (known as aqueous humor) produced by the eye.

There are approximately two to three million individuals in the United States with glaucoma, a condition often associated with elevated intraocular pressure leading to optic nerve damage. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for which there is currently no cure; however, recent opinion suggests that achieving a low level of IOP may slow the progression of the disease.

Clinical Results

Phase III trial results demonstrated that 64% of subjects receiving Lumigan once daily achieved target IOP of less than or equal to 17 mm Hg, whereas 37% of subjects receiving timolol twice daily, a leading drug used to lower IOP, achieved the same target pressure. At six months, Lumigan produced a 33% reduction in IOP compared to 23% with timolol (8.1 mm Hg vs. 5.6 mm Hg, respectively).

Side Effects

In clinical trials, adverse events occurring in approximately 15% to 45% of subjects included (but are not limited to) the following:

Conjunctival hyperemia

Growth of eyelashes

Ocular pruritus

Events occurring in approximately 3 to 10% of subjects included those listed below:

Ocular dryness

Visual disturbance

Ocular burning

Foreign body sensation

Eye pain

Pigmentation of the periocular skin

Eyelash darkening

Mechanism of Action

Bimatoprost is a prostamide, a synthetic structural analog of prostaglandin with ocular hypotensive activity. It selectively mimics the effects of naturally occurring substances called prostamides. Bimatoprost is believed to lower IOP in humans by increasing outflow of aqueous humor through both the trabecular meshwork and uveoscleral routes. Elevated IOP presents a major risk factor for glaucomatous field loss. The higher the level of IOP, the greater the likelihood of optic nerve damage and visual field loss. (from Lumigan Label)