Lumigan PF (Bimatoprost)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lumigan PF Used For?
Lumigan PF eye drops contain bimatoprost and are specifically designed to treat eye conditions related to increased pressure.
Primary Uses
Lumigan PF is used to lower raised pressure in the eye and to treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition where fluid pressure in the eye may be high, though some people with glaucoma have normal eye pressure. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to serious problems including total blindness and is one of the most common causes of blindness.
How It Works
Lumigan PF works by helping fluid flow out of the eye chamber, which reduces the pressure inside your eye. It can be used alone or together with other eye drops or medicines to control eye pressure.
Good to know: While Lumigan PF helps control your condition, it will not cure it. There are usually no symptoms of glaucoma, so regular eye pressure checks are important.
How to Take Lumigan PF
Lumigan PF comes in single-use plastic ampoules and should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Dosage Instructions
Use one drop in your affected eye(s) each evening, at about the same time each day. Remove contact lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before replacing them. Wash hands before and after use. Hold the ampoule upright, twist off the cap, gently pull down your lower eyelid, and squeeze one drop into the eye. Press your finger against the inside corner of your eye for about two minutes to prevent the medicine from draining. Throw away the ampoule after use, even if solution remains.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget your evening dose and it’s almost time for the next dose, use your drops at the usual time the next evening. If you remember during the night or morning, use the drops as soon as you remember and return to your usual schedule. Do not use double the number of drops to make up for a missed dose.
Important: Never touch the dropper tip against your eye, eyelid, or any surface to avoid contamination. Do not use while wearing contact lenses.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Red, congested eyes
- Growth of eyelashes
- Itching or irritation of the eye
- Small spots on eye surface
- Feeling of something in the eye
- Dry eye
- Redness around eye or eyelid
- Watery eyes
- Inflamed eyelids
- Eye discomfort and strain
- Burning of eye and eyelid
- Sensitivity to light
- Darkening around the eye
- Eyelash darkening
- Darkening of colored part of eye (iris)
- Headache
- Feeling weak and tired
- Cold symptoms (runny nose, nasal congestion)
- Excessive hair growth where product contacts skin
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Allergic skin reactions (rash, itching, hives)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Eye discharge
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision or vision changes
- Macular edema (fluid buildup at back of eye causing blurry vision)
- Eyelid spasms with uncontrolled blinking
- High blood pressure
- Asthma or worsening asthma
- Difficulty breathing
- Depression (low mood, feelings of worthlessness)
- Severe allergic reaction (swelling of tongue, lips, throat, difficulty breathing)
Important Warnings
Before using Lumigan PF, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Lumigan PF
Do not use Lumigan PF if you are allergic to bimatoprost or any of the ingredients listed. Do not use if the vial is broken, packaging shows signs of tampering, or the product doesn’t look right.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: eye inflammation (such as uveitis), eye surgery, missing eye lens, artificial lens following cataract surgery, torn or ruptured lens capsule, eye problems like macular inflammation or swelling, diabetes-related eye conditions, low blood pressure or slow heartbeat, lung or airway problems, liver or kidney problems, or allergies to medicines or other substances.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or intend to breastfeed. Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using Lumigan PF.
Cosmetic Effects
Lumigan PF may cause permanent changes to your eyes including: loss of fat around the eye causing deeper eyelid creases, sunken appearance, drooping upper eyelid, skin tightening, and more visible lower white part of the eye. Eyelashes may grow longer and thicker, and eyelashes, skin around the eye, and the colored part of the eye (iris) may become darker. Hair may grow where the medicine contacts skin. These changes may be permanent and noticeable if only one eye is treated.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with how Lumigan PF works, and Lumigan PF may affect how other medicines work.
Multiple eye drops: If using more than one eye drop product, wait 5 minutes between applications. If using eye ointment, apply it last.
- Other eye drops in the same class as Lumigan PF (latanoprost, tafluprost, travoprost) may reduce effectiveness
Alcohol & Driving
Special precautions should be taken regarding vision and daily activities while using Lumigan PF.
Alcohol
There is no specific information available about the effects of using Lumigan PF with alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Your vision may be blurred after using Lumigan PF eye drops. Wait until your vision clears completely before driving or using machines.
Storage
Store Lumigan PF in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. For the 30 x 0.4 mL pack, use ampoules within 30 days after opening the pouch. Each ampoule is for single use only – discard immediately after use, even if solution remains.
Overdose Information
If you use too much Lumigan PF, immediately rinse your eyes with warm water. If Lumigan PF is accidentally swallowed, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 POISON in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication helps control eye pressure, but the source doesn’t specify exactly how long it takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your eye pressure at regular appointments to check effectiveness.
No, you must remove soft contact lenses before using the drops and wait 15 minutes before replacing them.
Some changes may be permanent, including longer/thicker eyelashes, darker eyelashes and iris, and changes around the eye area like deeper eyelid creases or sunken appearance. Some changes may disappear if you stop using Lumigan PF.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use your drops at the usual time the next evening. If you remember during the night or morning, use the drops as soon as you remember. Never double the dose.
No, do not stop using Lumigan PF without checking with your doctor first. Your eye pressure can rise again and may cause damage to your eye.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using Lumigan PF.
If a drop misses your eye, try again. Wipe off any excess that runs down your cheek. Be careful not to touch the dropper tip against your eye or eyelid.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.