On December 26, 2008, the FDA approved Latisse™ the firstprescription product to increase the length, thickness and darkness ofeyelashes. The official FDA indication for Latisse is the treatment ofhypotrichosis; the medical term for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes.Latisse is now the third FDA-approved drug for promoting a type of hair growth alongwith Propecia and Rogaine for male pattern hair loss. Like Propecia and Rogaine,the hair growth benefits of Latisse were discovered as side effects of drugspreviously approved for other medical conditions. Rogaine evolved from the drugMinoxidil; a medication used to treat high blood pressure whereas Propecia is alower dose of a medication called Finasteride used to treat enlargement of theprostate. All of these drugs work in different ways to decrease hair lossand/or stimulate new hair growth.
Latisse was developed by Allergan, Inc. (the makers ofBOTOX®) from the clinical findings of their product Lumigan™, a prescriptioneye drop which treats the increased intraocular pressure of glaucoma. Prior toits FDA approval as Latisse, many Dermatologists treated patients with Lumiganas an off-label use for eyelash growth.
Bimatoprost,the active ingredient in both Latisse and Lumigan, was first FDA-approved in2001. Bimatoprost is a structuralprostaglandin analog, a lipid compound derived from fatty acids designed tobind to prostaglandin (PG) receptors. PG receptors are present in hair,particularly in the dermal papilla and outer root sheath. Although the precisemechanism of action is unknown, PG receptors are thought to be involved in thedevelopment and regrowth of the hair follicle by increasing the percent ofhairs in, and the duration of, the anagen or growth phase (Allergan, 2008). Thelong-term safety of bimatoprost for therapeutic use has been recognized by themedical community and well-established based on use in 32 clinical trialsinvolving more than 5,700 glaucoma patients and more than 13 years of clinicaltrial experience.
As withany drug, there can be unwanted side effects with Latisse. The most commonadverse events observed in the clinical trials were not serious and cosmetic innature with eye redness and itching in approximately 4% of patients. Lesscommon side effects may include skin darkening, eye irritation, dry eyes andredness of the eyelids. These side effects are generally reversible with thediscontinuation of Latisse. Although not reported in clinical studies and rare,it is possible that Latisse may cause increased brown pigmentation of thecolored part of the eye which may be permanent.
Latisseis applied once daily to the upper eyelashes with a sterile, single-use, disposableapplicator supplied with the kit. Latisse users can expect to experience longer,fuller and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, with full results in16 weeks. While using Latisse, eyelashes will continue to grow without sheddingas normal. Therefore they will continue to grow longer until they have reachedthe desired length. Two or 3 maintenance treatments per week are necessary tomaintain the desired length. If Latisse is discontinued, eyelashes willeventually return to their previous appearance. Latisse may also stimulateeyebrow growth in some, but not all, patients.
An FDAadvisory panel recommended further clinical studies for use of Latisse inpatients who have lost eyelashes due to chemotherapy and the FDA did notapprove Latisse for people under 18 or for pregnant or lactating women.
Theaverage cost of Latisse is about $4.00 per day and it is not covered byinsurance.
