FDA warns maker of Latisse about misleading claims

According to official Latisse website Latisse which contains 0.03% bimatoprost ophthalmic solution is the first FDA approved medication for the treatment of insufficient growth of eyelashes.

Latisse helps eyelashes grow longer, darker and fuller. The precise action mechanism of the medication is not known, it is considered Latisse prolongs anagen - hair growth phase. As a result eyelashes are growing longer and darker. While Latisse is used in the treatment for insufficient growth of eyelashes, the active ingredient Bimatoprost has been used for several years for the treatment of glaucoma. Bimatoprost belongs to a group of medicines called prostoglandins. It works by reducing intra-ocular pressure via increasing outflow of aqueous fluid from the eyes. Possible side effects associated with Bimatoprost may include: blurred vision, redness of the eyelid, increased hair growth on the area around the eyes, permanent darkening of the iris to brown, itching, redness, thickening of the eyelashes, conjunctivitis (in rare cases). In November 2007 issued a warning that the overdose and abuse of bimatoprost may result in damage of the optic nerve leading to vision decrease and even possible blindness. However, all of this is not shown at Latisse official website.

Now the Food and Drug Administration has sent a warning letter to Allergan, saying that many claims on its website are misleading and, in fact, unlawful.

You can read the whole letter for yourself, but here some highlights.

Latisse's Website says:

In the "Is Latisse safe?" section of the drug's website: "The FDA reviewed clinical study results to verify the identity, potency, purity and stability of the ingredients, and demonstrated that the product is safe and effective for its intended use if used as prescribed."

The FDA says:

This description is misleading and it fails to mention that Latisse may have side effects, or mention any of those side effects. It also implies, according to the FDA, that Latisse is "especially safe because the FDA has verified the identity, potency, purity, and stability of the ingredients."

Latisse's Website says:

The website also answers the question, "Why do the directions say to only apply Latisse solution to the base of the upper eyelashes?" by saying: "A clinical trial of Latisse was conducted on patients who applied the product to the base of their upper lashes only. Applied nightly, the transfer of Latisse solution from the upper to lower eyelid may occur naturally because the eyelids are closed and the eyelashes touch each other."

The FDA says:

The answer fails to warn users of the real reason why Latisse should not be applied to the lower eyelid: If Latisse comes in continued contact with skin outside the treatment area, it could lead to excess, unwanted hair growth. Latisse's Website says:

The Latisse website claimed that "increased brown iris pigmentation has occurred when similar medications were instilled directly into the eye to treat elevated intraocular pressure/glaucoma."

The FDA says:

In fact, the "similar" medication was actually the same medication. Both Latisse and Lumigan, a glaucoma drug also from Allergan, are actually bimatoprost ophthalmic solution. Though Latisse is applied differently, brown iris pigmentation has been reported from use of the drug. The FDA says, "by omitting this material information and suggesting this side effect has only occurred with similar' medications, this claim minimizes the risk of increased iris pigmentation." Latisse's website says:

The site repeatedly mentions that the eye redness and itching that can accompany the use of Latisse are "not allergic reactions."

The FDA says:

That's misleading. In fact, allergic conjunctivitis is an adverse reaction reported with the use of the active ingredient, bimatoprost ophthalmic solution. Further, these symptoms are usually resolved only after discontinuing treatment with the drug. The FDA was particularly concerned about these claims, according to the letter, "because patients are highly unlikely to be able to differentiate between eye redness associated with conjunctival hyperemia, allergic reaction, or inflammation without the advice of a healthcare provider."

The letter requests that Allergan cease from disseminating these, and any other misleading claims about Latisse, and noted that the examples in the letter are not an exhaustive list - there could be more. The company has until Sept. 24th to respond. In the meantime, feel free to go to the Latisse.com Website and look for more misleading statements. If you find any, post them in the comments.