Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Bimatoprost is a synthetic (man-made) drug
that resembles and mimics the effects of natural chemicals (prostaglandins)
produced by the body. It is used for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and
increasing the growth of eyelashes. The exact mechanism of action is unknown.
Bimatoprost may reduce IOP by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor from the
eye of individuals with narrow angle glaucoma. Excessive aqueous humor may cause
optic nerve damage and visual loss. It may increase eyelash growth by increasing
the duration of the growing phase of the eyelash. The FDA approved Lumigan in
March 2001 and Latisse in December 2008.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PREPARATIONS: Solution (eye drops): 0.03 mg/ml
STORAGE: Solutions should be store at 2-25 C (36-77 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Bimatoprost is used for reducing IOP in individuals
with narrow angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It also is used for
increasing thickness, length, and darkness of eyelashes.
DOSING: The recommended dosage of bimatoprost for reducing IOP is one
drop in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. More frequent
administration may reduce the IOP-reducing effect. Reduction in IOP starts
approximately four hours after administration and maximum effect occurs in
approximately 8 to 12 hours. The recommended regimen for increasing eyelash
growth is one drop applied with an applicator evenly along the skin of the upper
eyelid at the base of the eyelashes of each eye every evening.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Bimatoprost should be administered at least five
minutes before or after other eye medications. Use of bimatoprost for eyelash
growth may increase or decrease the effect of prostaglandin-like drugs used for
treating elevated IOP. Bimatoprost solution contains benzalkonium chloride,
which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed
prior to application of bimatoprost. Contact lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes
following administration of bimatoprost.
PREGNANCY: Use of bimatoprost in
pregnancy has not been adequately
evaluated.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether bimatoprost is excreted in
human breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: Common side effects include itching of the eyes, eye
irritation, dry eyes, eye redness, eye lash darkening and reversible darkening
of skin around the eyes. Bimatoprost may also cause permanent brown pigmentation
in the colored part of the eye and hair growth in other areas of the body that
it comes in contact with.
Glaucoma is a common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eye rises because of slowed fluid drainage from the eye. If untreated, glaucoma may damage the optic nerve and other parts of the eye, causing the loss of vision or even blindness.
There are many causes of scalp hair loss. This featured article covers the common ones such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata, trichotillomania, and tinea capitis), telogen effluvium, and androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness).
There are many causes of scalp hair loss, and they do differ in men and women. This article will cover the common ones. Studies show that losing up to 100-150 hairs per day is normal. Human hair naturally grows in three phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Anagen is the active or growing phase.
Catagen is a fairly short phase of the natural hair cycle during which hairs begin to break down. Telogen is the resting phase. The hairs that are shed daily are often in the resting or late phase in the hair cycle. Normally, about 10% of the scalp hairs are in the resting or telogen phase at any time. These hairs are not growing and are getting prepared for cyclic shedding.
In general, most hair loss is not associated with systemic or internal disease, nor is poor diet a frequent factor. Frequently, hair may simply thin as a result of predetermined genetic factors, family history, and the overall aging process. Many men and women may n...