Latisse Approved for Hair Growth by FDA

[ElizaBlue]

Yet another side affect of a drug used to treat one ailment having hair growth properties. This is the same way Rogaine (Minoxidil) was discovered.

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FDA OKs 1st Eyelash Drug Latisse
Latisse Promotes Longer, Darker, Thicker Lashes; Glaucoma Drug Inspired It
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDDec. 26, 2008 -- The FDA has approved Latisse, the first drug to promote eyelash growth, according to Allergan, the company that makes Latisse.

Latisse, which will be available by prescription starting in the first quarter of 2009, contains the active ingredient of the glaucoma drug Lumigan, which is also made by Allergan.

Eyelash growth is a known side effect of Lumigan. But Lumigan and Latisse are used differently. Lumigan is an eyedrop, and Latisse gets dabbed along the lash line on the upper eyelids to promote longer, thicker, darker lashes.

Allergan states that "Latisse users can expect to experience longer, fuller, and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, with full results in 16 weeks." If Latisse is stopped, eyelashes will gradually return to their previous appearance as new eyelashes grow in.

Allergan also notes that Latisse may cause darkening of the eyelid skin, which may be reversible, and it "may also cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye, which is likely to be permanent."

Latisse may also promote hair growth in other skin areas that it frequently touches, so Allergan recommends blotting it off any skin other than the upper eyelid's lash line to prevent that side effect.

According to Allergan, Latisse was well-tolerated in its clinical trials, with the most common side effects being eye redness, itchy eyes, and skin hyperpigmentation.

Earlier this month, an FDA advisory panel recommended that the FDA approve Latisse and also recommended further studies in certain groups of patients, such as young patients and people who lost their eyelashes to chemotherapy.


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So yeah it's approved for increased growth of eyelashes. But I wonder how long will it be before it's packaged for the scalp hair?

 

[Vinyl]

Huh, this product would make my eyes brown? I must admit that part confused me.

 

[JustKiya]

Nuh-uh. I'm sensitive about my eyes - realllll protective. I might mess with this around 10 years from now, when it's OTC.

I doubt it'll take long to move to the scalp, though.

 

[anon123]

Wait, it's going to be a prescription eyelash grower? I don't know why that sounds so funny to me, but it does. Like I expect prescriptions for real ailments. Is puny eyelash a medical condition? I know I shouldn't be laughing, probably someone really has been suffering from tiny eyelashes.

 

[Vinyl]

puny eyelash

........

 

[yuriko]

Yall may not know that eyelashes actually protect the eye from foreign bodies. There are many patients on chemo that look strange because they have no eyelashes and no eyebrows; its a little victory to some people to at least look more normal. So i can understand it.

However, it will never prove to be much of a growth aide for hair, because the results like with minoxidil are temporary. If you stop using this drug, your long luscious hair will fall off, and you go back to what you had before!

 

[ElizaBlue]

I saw this on the news this morning and then googled it to find out what was up. Actually it's not a prescription it's being marketed as a cosmetic or hair growth aid for the eyelashes.

Apparently glaucoma patients who used the drops had the strange side effect of thicker, longer and darker eyelashes. It was initially put out on the market for eyelash growth and then pulled because the manufacturer failed to do Phase 3 clinical testing. That was done and FDA blessed it for consumer use.

And here we are. Me personally I think Maybelline is good for me. Especially if I'm going to be left looking like my eyeshadow couldn't come off. I wonder how it can change the color of you iris permanently without being dangerous to your health.

At any rate, it's just information.