Lumigan 0.1 mg/mL eye drops (bimatoprost) – to lower eye pressure in glaucoma

Lumigan eye drops contain bimatoprost – a medicine of the prostamide group (prostaglandin analogues) used to lower raised pressure in the eye. Bimatoprost increases the outflow of fluid from the eye, which reduces the pressure inside it. If raised eye pressure is not lowered, it can lead to glaucoma and damage to vision.

In Serbia it is authorised as Lumigan®, 0.1 mg/mL, eye drops, solution, in a 3 mL dropper bottle (marketing authorisation holder AbbVie d.o.o. Belgrade, manufacturer Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland). It is used in adults with chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, alone or together with beta-blocker eye drops.

What are Lumigan eye drops used for and how should they be applied?

Key facts about the medicine

What are Lumigan eye drops used for?

According to the SmPC, Lumigan is used to lower raised intraocular (eye) pressure in adults with:

• chronic open-angle glaucoma;
• ocular hypertension (raised pressure in the eye).

It can be used alone or as add-on therapy to beta-blocker eye drops. It has not been studied in inflammatory eye conditions, neovascular, inflammatory or congenital glaucoma, or in closed-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma.

How is it applied and dosed?

• The recommended dose is one drop in the affected eye, once daily, in the evening. Do not use it more than once a day, as this may reduce its effectiveness.
• If you also use other eye medicines, leave at least 5 minutes between them.
• Do not use the bottle if the tamper-proof seal on the neck is broken before first use.
• Method: wash your hands, tilt your head back and look at the ceiling; gently pull down the lower eyelid to form a small pocket; turn the bottle upside down and squeeze to release one drop; release the lid and close the eye for 30 seconds; wipe off any excess from the cheek. If the drop misses the eye, try again.
• The tip of the bottle must not touch the eye or anything else (risk of infection and injury); close the bottle tightly straight after use.
• The medicine must be used every day; if you stop, the pressure in the eye may rise again.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents (under 18): the medicine has not been studied and must not be used.
• Liver or kidney impairment: not studied in moderate to severe liver impairment – use with caution; tell your doctor about liver or kidney problems.
• Contact lens wearers: remove lenses before applying and reinsert after at least 15 minutes.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not use Lumigan if you:

• are allergic to bimatoprost or any of the other ingredients;
• have previously had to stop using eye drops because of side effects of the preservative benzalkonium chloride.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before use if you have breathing problems; liver or kidney problems; have had cataract surgery; have dry eyes or a problem with the cornea; wear contact lenses; have or have had low blood pressure or a slow heart rate; or have had a viral infection or inflammation of the eye.

During treatment, loss of fat tissue around the eye may occur (deepened eyelid crease, sunken eyes, drooping upper eyelid, tightening of the skin around the eyes) – changes are usually mild and may disappear after stopping, but if pronounced they may affect the field of vision. Eyelashes may darken and grow, the eyelid skin may darken and the iris may become darker over time – these changes may be permanent and more noticeable if only one eye is treated. According to the SmPC, caution is needed with risk factors for macular oedema (e.g. aphakia, pseudophakia with a torn posterior lens capsule) and with a history of viral eye infections (e.g. herpes simplex) or uveitis.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you use. According to the SmPC, interactions are not expected because blood levels of bimatoprost are very low; no interactions with beta-blocker eye drops were seen in studies. The pressure-lowering effect may be weaker if another prostaglandin analogue is used at the same time. Leave at least 5 minutes between different eye drops.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: there are no adequate data on use in pregnant women; according to the SmPC the medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. Ask your doctor.
• Breast-feeding: bimatoprost may pass into breast milk, so according to the leaflet you should not breast-feed while using Lumigan.

Driving and using machines

Vision may be briefly blurred straight after applying the drops. Do not drive or use machines until your vision has cleared.

Possible side effects

• Very common (more than 1 in 10): mild eye redness (up to 29% of patients); loss of fat tissue around the eye (deepened eyelid crease, sunken eyes, drooping eyelid, skin tightening, more visible lower white of the eye).
• Common (up to 1 in 10): small cracks on the eye surface with or without inflammation, irritation, itchy eye, longer eyelashes, irritation when the drop is applied, eye pain; red and itchy eyelids, darker skin around the eyes, hair growth around the eye.
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): darker iris, tired eyes, swelling of the eye surface, blurred vision, loss of eyelashes; dry skin, crusting of the eyelid margin, eyelid swelling, itching; headache, nausea.
• Frequency not known: macular oedema (swelling of the retina with worsening vision), darker eyelid, dry eye, sticky eyes, foreign body sensation, eye swelling, increased tearing, discomfort, sensitivity to light; asthma and worsening of asthma or COPD, shortness of breath, allergic reactions, dizziness, increased blood pressure, skin discolouration around the eye.

With the 0.3 mg/mL strength, additional effects have been reported (e.g. burning and inflammation of the eye and eyelids, retinal bleeding, cystoid macular oedema). In patients with severely damaged corneas, cloudy patches due to calcium deposits have very rarely been described (phosphate-containing eye drops). Report suspected side effects to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Too much applied: serious harm is unlikely; apply the next dose at the usual time. If you are worried, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Missed dose: apply one drop as soon as you remember, then continue at the usual time; do not use a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: the pressure in the eye may rise – talk to your doctor before stopping.

Related information

For additional care of dry and irritated eyes, see also the category Eye drops – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed for you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: bimatoprost – 0.1 mg per 1 mL of solution.
• Excipients: benzalkonium chloride (preservative, 0.2 mg/mL); sodium chloride; disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate; citric acid monohydrate; purified water; hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide as needed (pH adjustment).
• Pack: white opaque LDPE dropper bottle (5 mL capacity) containing 3 mL of solution, turquoise cap; 1 bottle per carton.
• Marketing authorisation holder: AbbVie d.o.o. Belgrade, Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 115E, Belgrade. Manufacturer: Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland, Castlebar Road, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Storage

• This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
• Shelf life after first opening: 28 days – discard the bottle no later than 4 weeks after opening (unopened shelf life: 2 years).
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to apply Lumigan?

According to the leaflet, one drop is applied in the evening, once daily, into the affected eye. Do not use it more often, as more frequent use may reduce the effect on eye pressure.

Does Lumigan change eye colour?

It can – the iris may become darker over time, and the skin around the eyes and the eyelashes may darken (eyelashes may also grow). These changes may be permanent and more noticeable if only one eye is treated.

Can I wear contact lenses with Lumigan?

The medicine contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft lenses. Remove the lenses before applying and put them back no sooner than 15 minutes after use; do not use the drops while lenses are in the eye.

How long can an opened bottle be used?

28 days from first opening. After that, discard the bottle even if there is medicine left, to prevent infection.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Lumigan® 0.1 mg/mL eye drops, solution (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet, Lumigan® 0.1 mg/mL eye drops, solution (PIL, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.