Health Guides
Generic Lumigan: Bimatoprost 0.03% Eye Drops, Use and Price
Generic Lumigan explained: how bimatoprost 0.03% eye drops lower eye pressure in glaucoma, how to use them each evening, side effects and what affects the price.
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Generic Lumigan is bimatoprost 0.03% eye drops, a prescription medicine used to lower raised pressure inside the eye. It is prescribed for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, two conditions that can slowly damage the optic nerve and affect your sight if the pressure is not controlled.
This guide explains how bimatoprost works, how to use the drops correctly, the side effects to know about and what affects the bimatoprost price. It also covers the generic eye drops we stock and how to order them safely. A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine, and your eye doctor should decide which treatment suits you.
Key takeaways
- Bimatoprost 0.03% lowers eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
- The usual dose is one drop in the affected eye or eyes once a day, in the evening. Using it more often can make it work less well.
- Remove contact lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in. Leave 5 minutes between different eye drops.
- Common side effects include red eyes, itching and longer eyelashes. Darkening of the iris can be permanent.
- Glaucoma usually has no symptoms, so keep up regular eye pressure checks and never stop the drops without speaking to your eye doctor.
- Generic bimatoprost contains the same active ingredient as the brand. Bottle size and pack quantity mostly drive the price.
What is generic Lumigan used for?
Bimatoprost belongs to a group of medicines called prostaglandin analogues. It lowers the pressure inside the eye by helping fluid drain out of the eye more easily. Lower pressure reduces strain on the optic nerve.
It is used for two main conditions:
- Open-angle glaucoma. The most common type of glaucoma. Fluid drains too slowly, pressure builds up and the optic nerve can be damaged over time. Lost vision cannot usually be restored, which is why treatment aims to protect what you have.
- Ocular hypertension. Eye pressure is higher than normal but there is no nerve damage yet. Your eye doctor may treat it to lower the risk of glaucoma developing.
Generic bimatoprost is made once the original patent has expired. Each bottle contains the same active ingredient, bimatoprost, at the same 0.03% strength. Inactive ingredients, such as the preservative, can differ between makers, so check the label if you have had a reaction to a preservative before.
How to use bimatoprost eye drops
Always follow the directions from your eye doctor and the patient leaflet. The usual adult dose is:
- One drop in the affected eye or eyes
- Once a day, in the evening
Do not use it more than once a day. Using bimatoprost more often does not lower eye pressure further and can actually make it less effective. If you miss a dose, use the next one at the usual time. Do not put in two drops to make up for a missed one.
Step-by-step
- Wash your hands and remove contact lenses.
- Tilt your head back, pull down your lower eyelid and squeeze one drop into the pocket. Do not let the tip touch your eye or fingers.
- Close your eye and press gently on the inner corner for about a minute.
- Wipe away any extra liquid from the skin and replace the cap.
Contact lenses and other drops
The preservative in many bimatoprost drops can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Take your lenses out before using the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
If you use more than one kind of eye drop, leave at least 5 minutes between them so the second does not wash out the first.
Side effects and safety
Some side effects are common and some changes can be permanent. Read the patient leaflet before you start.
Common side effects
- Red or bloodshot eyes, which often settles after the first weeks
- Itchy, dry or gritty-feeling eyes
- Longer, thicker and darker eyelashes
- Darkening of the skin on the eyelid
Changes to eye colour
Bimatoprost can slowly increase the brown colour in the iris, the coloured part of the eye. This is more noticeable in mixed-colour eyes, such as green-brown. The change is gradual and can be permanent, even after you stop the drops. Darkening of the eyelid skin usually fades after stopping.
Speak to your doctor before using bimatoprost if you
- Have had an allergy to bimatoprost or any ingredient in the drops
- Have inflammation inside the eye, such as uveitis, or have recently had eye surgery
- Have breathing problems or a slow heart rate
- Are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Use other eye drops, including other prostaglandin drops such as latanoprost
When to get help
Contact your eye doctor promptly about blurred vision, eye pain, severe redness, eyelid or face swelling, or signs of infection. Seek urgent help for any sudden loss of vision.
Keep up your eye pressure checks
Glaucoma usually causes no symptoms until vision is lost, so feeling fine does not mean your pressure is controlled. Your eye doctor will check your eye pressure regularly to see how well the drops are working. Never stop using bimatoprost or switch to a different drop without speaking to your eye doctor first, because the pressure can rise again.
Bimatoprost for eyelashes
Because eyelash growth is a known side effect, bimatoprost 0.03% is also sold with small brushes for cosmetic use on the upper lash line. This is a different use from glaucoma treatment: the solution is painted along the base of the lashes rather than dropped into the eye. If that is what you are interested in, read our separate guide to Careprost as generic Latisse for longer eyelashes. If you are already treated for glaucoma, tell your eye doctor before using bimatoprost on your lashes as well.
Generic Lumigan: why generic costs less
The company that first develops a medicine pays for the research, trials and marketing, and recovers those costs while it holds the patent. Once the patent ends, other makers can produce the same active ingredient without repeating that early research. Competition between several makers then tends to push the bimatoprost price down.
A generic Lumigan bottle still contains bimatoprost 0.03% and is used in the same way, once daily in the evening. What can differ is the brand name, bottle design, preservative and pack size. Because glaucoma treatment is long term, lower-cost drops can make daily use easier to keep up.
What affects the bimatoprost price?
We do not list prices here because they change. These factors make one pack cost more or less than another.
| Factor | How it changes the price | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle size | Larger bottles last longer and often cost less per dose. | How long the bottle can be used once opened. A large bottle is no saving if it expires before it is finished. |
| Number of bottles | Multi-bottle packs usually lower the cost per bottle. | That your prescription covers the quantity you are ordering. |
| Brand of generic | Different makers set different prices for the same active ingredient. | The active ingredient is bimatoprost and the strength is 0.03%. |
| Included brushes | Packs made for eyelash use may include applicators, which can add to the cost. | Whether you need the brush version at all. For glaucoma, you only need the drops. |
| Delivery | Shipping method and destination affect the total cost. | Expected delivery time, so you do not run out of drops. |
Generic Lumigan and related eye drops we stock
Our eye care range includes the following prostaglandin eye drops. Each needs a valid prescription.
| Product | Active ingredient | Strength | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolprost bimatoprost 0.03% eye drops | Bimatoprost | 0.03% | Open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension |
| Careprost 0.03% with brush | Bimatoprost | 0.03% | Cosmetic eyelash use with applicators |
| Latoprost 0.005% latanoprost eye drops | Latanoprost | 0.005% | Open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension |
Coolprost is our main generic Lumigan option for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It contains bimatoprost 0.03% with benzalkonium chloride as the preservative, so remember the 15-minute rule if you wear contact lenses.
Careprost is the same bimatoprost 0.03% with brushes for eyelash use, so do not use both products at once.
Latoprost contains latanoprost, a different medicine from the same prostaglandin class. It is also used once daily in the evening. It is not a direct swap for bimatoprost, so only change from one to the other if your eye doctor advises it.
How to buy generic Lumigan online safely
When you buy medicine online, take the same care you would with any prescription. To buy generic Lumigan online:
- Get a valid prescription. Bimatoprost is a prescription medicine. A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine.
- Check the strength. Make sure the product is bimatoprost 0.03% and matches what your eye doctor prescribed. Do not confuse it with latanoprost 0.005%.
- Check the pack and quantity. Confirm the bottle size, number of bottles and whether you need the plain drops or the brush version.
- Plan for delivery. Orders are shipped worldwide by EMS or registered mail in discreet packaging. Order before your current bottle runs low. Our how to order page explains each step, including how to send your prescription.
- Tell your doctor. Let your eye doctor know which brand you are using, and keep all your eye pressure check appointments.
For wider advice on choosing a supplier when you buy medicine online, read our guide to buying generic medicines online. If you have a question about an order, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Is generic bimatoprost the same as Lumigan?
Generic bimatoprost 0.03% contains the same active ingredient at the same strength and is used in the same way. Inactive ingredients, such as the preservative, may be different.
Can I use bimatoprost twice a day for better results?
No. Using it more than once a day does not help and can make it lower eye pressure less well. Stick to one drop once a day unless your eye doctor tells you otherwise.
Will bimatoprost change my eye colour?
It can. Bimatoprost may slowly darken the iris, especially in mixed-colour eyes, and this change can be permanent. Your eye doctor can talk you through this risk before you start.
Can I stop the drops if my eyes feel fine?
No. Glaucoma usually has no symptoms, so feeling fine does not mean the pressure is under control. Never stop without speaking to your eye doctor.
What is the difference between Coolprost and Careprost?
Both contain bimatoprost 0.03%. Coolprost is the plain eye drop used for glaucoma, while Careprost comes with brushes for cosmetic eyelash use.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace professional advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any medicine. Read our full medical disclaimer.
Medicines mentioned in this guide
All medicines are supplied only against a valid prescription. Prices shown are for the smallest pack.
About this guide
Written by the rxptteam8. We base our guides on official sources such as the NHS, the US FDA, the EMA and MedlinePlus, and we update them when guidance changes. Last updated .