Bimatoprost Cosmetic uses

In patients using ophthalmic prostaglandins such as travoprost and latanoprost, it has been anecdotally noted that there had been an increase in diameter, density and length of eyelashes. Allergan initiated clinical trials investigating the usage of Lumigan as a cosmetic drug.On December 5, 2008, the FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee voted to approve bimatoprost for the cosmetic use of darkening and lengthening eyelashes.The medical term for this is treatment of hypotrichosis, however, the FDA approval is for purely cosmetic purposes.
For cosmetic purposes, it is administered once daily by applying the solution to the skin at the base of the eyelash.
According to Allergan's package labeling, users of its Latisse cosmetic product didn't develop darker irises in clinical studies; however, "patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent."
· Several cosmetics companies have released products based on prostaglandin analogs, as non-drug cosmetics.
· Age Intervention Eyelash by Jan Marini Skin Research
· RevitaLash by Athena Cosmetics Corp.
These companies have been sued by Allergan for patent infringement.The FDA has seized Age Intervention Eyelash as an "unapproved and misbranded drug" because Jan Marini Skin Research promoted it as something that increases eyelash growth and because it is "adulterated" with bimatoprost .