What you need to know about Latisse

By: MedSafetyCoach - March 16th, 2011  Filed under: Featured, Latisse Add Comment

Prescription Latisse

Allergan Latisse, bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03, a topical eyelash growth product, is taking the online pharmacy industry by storm.   Since Latisse was FDA approved about 2 years ago, there has been over 1.5 million bottles sold.  TV commercials and magazine ads have made Allergan Latisse one of the most sought after among women, primarily for cosmetic reasons.  The broad appeal, as well as the fact that this medication can be used by virtually any adult, has made this product very successful in a short amount of time.  Are you interested in trying Latisse?  Here’s what you need to know.

-Does Latisse Work? The active ingredient in Allergan Latisse is bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03.  This medication makes your current lashes darker, thicker and longer, but it only works on the lashes you currently have.  If you stop using Allergan Latisse and your current lashes fall out, the new one growing in will be the same as before you began using the product.  Latisse results are generally positive among users however, you need to continue to use the product consistently to maintain your results.

-Is there a generic form of Latisse?  The manufacture Allergan holds the patent on Latisse until January 2022, so if you find a company claiming to sell this generic, stay away!  Bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03 is also the active ingredient in the medication Lumigan, so there has been a lot of internet chatter about using Lumigan in place of Latisse.  In theory, Lumigan  and Latisse results should have the same effect in improving eyelashes, however Lumigan is intended to treat glaucoma and it is not advisable to take any medication for a disease you do not have.  Not to mention that if you try to get it with your insurance, your insurance company could consider that fraud.   

-Can you get Latisse without a prescription?  Your doctor or dermatologist has to write you a prescription for this medication before you can get it, Latisse without prescription is illegal.  Don’t buy from a site that says you don’t need one.   In some states, your optometrist or plastic surgeon can also prescribe this medication.  Side effects of Latisse can range from none to moderate, especially for people who have had skin or eye trouble in the past, so it is best to check with your doctor before using this medication or any bimatoprost ophthalmic solution.

-What are the side effects of Latisse?  The most talked about side effects of Latisse is that it could darken the colored part of your eye and your eyelid.  Although it’s true that the can have these effects, in clinical trials of Allergan Latisse they found few incidents of changing your eye color and only a minimal darkening of the eyelid.  If in the rare case that you eye color does darken, it will probably be permanent, however if it’s the eyelid, the skin should lighten back to its original pigment after you stop using bimatoprost ophthalmic solution.  In addition, Latisse could cause hair growth in other places.  Latisse instructions explicitly state that the product should not be used on the lower lashes.  If the skin is exposed to repeated dosages of the active ingredient you could start to sprout excessive and dark hairs in that location.  So keep Latisse away from your cheeks!  Side effects of Latisse of course vary from person to person, however users are generally happy with Latisse results.

-How much is Latisse and where can I buy Latisse?  The Latisse price can vary anywhere from $99 – $200.  You can get Allergan Latisse from your local pharmacy with a prescription.  If you are looking to order Latisse online, I suggest my recommended pharmacy, FirstClassPharmacy.com.  The current price is around $168 for home delivery.  Latisse does offer a rebate on their product after the first use with membership to their LashPerks program.  For more information on Latisse rebate, click here.

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Tags: bimatoprost, eye color, eye lashes, eyes, generic, Latisse, Lumigan

Are generics really the same as brand name medications?

By: MedSafetyCoach - August 31st, 2010  Filed under: FDA Regulations and Programs, Health and Body Safety, How To Buy, Latisse, Soma Add Comment

Most generics work the same as brand name medications and can be a more cost-effective than brand name medications.  Although generics can be a great alternative to costly brand name medications, there are a few things to research before making any purchases. 

- Is the generic legal? A generic drug has the same active ingredient but is labeled under its scientific name, not brand name. A generic version of the drug can be manufactured and sold only when the patent of a brand name medication expires.   For example,generic Latisse does not exits because the manufacturing companies still have an active patent on these medications, whereas generic Soma can be sold as Carisoprodol since the original patent has expired.   Do some simple research before you buy to make sure that you generic is even legal in the USA before you buy.

-Is the generic bio-equivalent? The FDA required that a generic version of a drug must use the same active ingredients as the brand name drug and meet the same standards for quality and safety including dosage strength, the way it works, the way it is taken, the way it’s intende

are generics the same as brand name?

Generic Medications

d to be used and the health conditions that it treats.  A pharmaceutical manufacturer that wants to sell their generic drug must offer proof of bio-equivalency to the FDA. To be considered bio-equivalent, the active ingredients in a generic drug must be absorbed at a similar rate and in a similar amount as the brand name equivalent.  Many companies will offer “generic” versions of medications that are actually herbal treatments, not an bio-equivalent of the brand name medication they claim to be.  Check to make sure that the medication you are ordering is FDA approved before you buy.

-Can you tolerate the inactive ingredients? Although generic drugs must have the same active ingredients as the brand name versions, the inactive ingredients may be different and some people may have allergic reactions to inactive ingredients. Inactive ingredients can include colors, preservatives, and fillers.  The generic version doesn’t have to act exactly the same but it does have to meet specific criteria set by the FDA.  Make  sure that the generics you are buying does not have any allergens that you will react to, such as fish, gluten or pollens.

-Which company produces the generic? Just like brand name, the FDA puts all generic drugs through a review process to assure quality, safety, and efficacy. The FDA requires that generic manufacturing plants meet the same standards as brand name plants. The FDA conducts approximately 3,500 on-site inspections each year to ensure compliance. In fact, did you know that  approximately 50% of all generic drugs are made by the same brand name companies? Before you buy, check for information to make sure your generic was produced here in the USA with a reputable company.

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Tags: allergies, bio-equivalency, brand name, FDA, generic, Latisse, soma