WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Effects on Intraocular Pressure
Bimatoprost ophthalmic solution (LUMIGAN ® ) lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) when instilled directly to the eye in patients with elevated IOP. In clinical trials, in patients with or without elevated IOP, LATISSE™ lowered IOP, however, the magnitude of the reduction was not cause for clinical concern.
In ocular hypertension studies with LUMIGAN ® , it has been shown that exposure of the eye to more than one dose of bimatoprost daily may decrease the intraocular pressure lowering effect. In patients using LUMIGAN ® or other prostaglandin analogs for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure, the concomitant use of LATISSE™ may interfere with the desired reduction in IOP. Patients using prostaglandin analogs including LUMIGAN ® for IOP reduction should only use LATISSE™ after consulting with their physician and should be monitored for changes to their intraocular pressure (see PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION, 17).
Iris Pigmentation
Increased iris pigmentation has occurred when the same formulation of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution (LUMIGAN ® ) was instilled directly onto the eye. Although iridal pigmentation was not reported in clinical studies with LATISSE™, patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent.
The pigmentation change is due to increased melanin content in the melanocytes rather than to an increase in the number of melanocytes. The long term effects of increased pigmentation are not known. Iris color changes seen with administration of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution may not be noticeable for several months to years. Typically, the brown pigmentation around the pupil spreads concentrically towards the periphery of the iris and the entire iris or parts of the iris become more brownish. Neither nevi nor freckles of the iris appear to be affected by treatment. Treatment with LATISSE™ solution can be continued in patients who develop noticeably increased iris pigmentation.
Patients who receive treatment with LATISSE™ should be informed of the possibility of increased pigmentation (see PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION, 17).
Lid Pigmentation
Bimatoprost has been reported to cause pigment changes (darkening) to periorbital pigmented tissues and eyelashes. The pigmentation is expected to increase as long as bimatoprost is administered, but has been reported to be reversible upon discontinuation of bimatoprost in most patients.
Hair Growth Outside the Treatment Area
There is the potential for hair growth to occur in areas where LATISSE™ solution comes in repeated contact with the skin surface. It is important to apply LATISSE™ only to the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the base of the eyelashes using the accompanying sterile applicators, and to carefully blot any excess LATISSE™ from the eyelid margin to avoid it running onto the cheek or other skin areas (see PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION, 17).
Intraocular Inflammation
LATISSE™ solution should be used with caution in patients with active intraocular inflammation (e.g., uveitis) because the inflammation may be exacerbated.
Macular Edema
Macular edema, including cystoid macular edema, has been reported during treatment with bimatoprost ophthalmic solution (LUMIGAN ®) for elevated IOP. LATISSE™ should be used with caution in aphakic patients, in pseudophakic patients with a torn posterior lens capsule, or in patients with known risk factors for macular edema.
Contamination of LATISSE™ or Applicators
The LATISSE™ bottle must be kept intact during use. It is important to use LATISSE™ solution as instructed, by placing one drop on the single-use-per eye applicator. The bottle tip should not be allowed to contact any other surface since it could become contaminated. The accompanying sterile applicators should only be used on one eye and then discarded since reuse of applicators increases the potential for contamination and infections. There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of multiple-dose containers of topical ophthalmic products (see PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION, 17).
Use with Contact Lenses
LATISSE™ contains benzalkonium chloride, which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to application of solution and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration (see PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION, 17).
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C
Teratogenic effects: In embryo/fetal developmental studies in pregnant mice and rats, abortion was observed at oral doses of bimatoprost which achieved at least 33 or 97 times, respectively, the maximum intended human exposure (based on blood AUC levels after topical ophthalmic administration to the cornea or conjunctival sac).
At doses at least 41 times the maximum intended human exposure, the gestation length was reduced in the dams, the incidence of dead fetuses, late resorptions, peri- and postnatal pup mortality was increased, and pup body weights were reduced.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% administration in pregnant women. Because animal reproductive studies are not always predictive of human response, LATISSE™ should be administered during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether LATISSE™ solution is excreted in human milk, although in animal studies, bimatoprost has been shown to be excreted in breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when LATISSE™ is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
No overall clinical differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and other adult patients.
|
