Lumigan

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, RPh, Clinical Pharmacist — Updated April 2026

Two Distinct Uses of Lumigan in Canada — Glaucoma vs Eyelash Growth

Lumigan (Bimatoprost 0.03%) is used by two completely different groups of Canadian patients, with different goals, different application methods, and different safety considerations. Understanding which category applies to you is essential before purchasing.

Lumigan for Glaucoma — Primary Therapeutic Indication

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Canada. Open-angle glaucoma — the most common form — damages the optic nerve progressively and silently, usually without pain or noticeable vision changes until significant damage has occurred. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the primary modifiable risk factor for glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Lowering IOP is the only proven treatment that slows glaucoma progression.

How Bimatoprost (Lumigan) lowers intraocular pressure: Bimatoprost is a prostamide — a synthetic prostaglandin F2α analogue that acts on FP receptors in the ciliary body and trabecular meshwork. It reduces IOP by increasing aqueous humour outflow through two complementary pathways:

• Uveoscleral pathway: The primary mechanism — bimatoprost relaxes the ciliary muscle and uveoscleral tissues, dramatically increasing aqueous humour drainage through the uveoscleral route (which normally accounts for only 5–15% of outflow in healthy eyes). Under bimatoprost, uveoscleral outflow can increase to 40–50% of total drainage
• Trabecular pathway: Secondary mechanism — modest increase in conventional trabecular outflow, complementing the uveoscleral effect

Clinical IOP reduction data: In Health Canada-reviewed clinical trials, Lumigan 0.03% reduced mean IOP by approximately 8–10 mmHg from baseline — representing a 25–30% reduction from untreated IOP levels. This degree of reduction is among the highest of any single ophthalmic agent. The IOP-lowering effect is sustained over 24 hours with once-daily evening dosing, with trough IOP (measured in the morning, approximately 12 hours after dosing) still clinically significant.

Comparison with other first-line IOP-lowering agents in Canada:

Health Canada and provincial coverage: Lumigan is a Schedule F prescription drug in Canada — a valid Canadian prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist is required at regulated Canadian pharmacies. Brand Lumigan is listed on most provincial drug benefit formularies (ODB in Ontario, BC PharmaCare, Alberta Blue Cross, RAMQ in Quebec) for patients meeting clinical criteria, typically confirmed glaucoma or ocular hypertension with documented IOP elevation. The cost of Lumigan at Canadian pharmacies with provincial coverage can be significantly reduced for eligible patients — confirm with your provincial formulary or pharmacist.

Lumigan for Eyelash Growth — Off-Label Use and Comparison with Latisse

The eyelash-growing effect of bimatoprost was discovered as a side effect during glaucoma clinical trials — patients consistently reported longer, thicker, and darker lashes on the treated eye. Allergan subsequently developed Latisse (bimatoprost 0.03%) specifically for eyelash hypotrichosis and obtained regulatory approval for this cosmetic indication in Canada and the USA.

Lumigan vs Latisse in Canada — the key comparison:

The practical reality for Canadian users: Lumigan, Latisse, Careprost, and Bimat all contain bimatoprost 0.03% — the same molecule at the same concentration. The eyelash-growing mechanism is identical across all four products. The difference is price, manufacturer, and regulatory designation. Latisse is specifically approved for lashes and comes with applicator brushes. Lumigan is the same Allergan bimatoprost product, approved for glaucoma, used off-label for lashes at significantly lower cost. Careprost and Bimat are generic bimatoprost at lower cost still.

How Bimatoprost Grows Eyelashes — The Biology

Human eyelashes, like all body hair, cycle through three phases: anagen (active growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting/shedding). Each individual lash has its own independent cycle, lasting approximately 4 to 6 months total with the anagen (growth) phase lasting only 30 to 45 days — which is why eyelashes are naturally shorter than scalp hair.

Bimatoprost acts on prostaglandin receptors in the hair follicle — specifically FP and EP3 receptors in the dermal papilla. The mechanism produces three measurable effects on the lash growth cycle:

• Prolongs the anagen (growth) phase: Lashes spend more time actively growing, resulting in greater final length
• Increases the proportion of follicles in anagen simultaneously: More lashes growing at the same time — producing greater density and fullness
• Increases melanin production in follicle melanocytes: Lashes become darker — this effect is pigmentation-based, not structural

Together these three effects produce lashes that are measurably longer (by approximately 25%), fuller (by approximately 106%), and darker than untreated lashes — effects validated in the pivotal Allergan clinical trials that supported Latisse approval.

Application Instructions — Using Lumigan for Eyelash Growth

What you need: Lumigan solution and thin disposable eyeliner applicator brushes (available separately — precision eyeliner brushes or Latisse-style applicators). One applicator per application session; do not reuse.

Step-by-step application:

1. Remove all eye makeup and contact lenses before application
2. Cleanse the face thoroughly
3. Place one drop of Lumigan onto the tip of the disposable applicator
4. Draw the applicator along the skin at the base of the upper eyelid lashes — from the inner corner to the outer corner — as if applying a fine eyeliner stroke
5. Blot any excess solution that runs below the lash line with a tissue — solution on the lower lid or cheek skin can cause unwanted hair growth in those areas
6. Do not apply to the lower lashes directly — lower lash enhancement occurs naturally as the solution migrates during blinking
7. Apply once daily — evening application recommended

When to expect results:

• 4 to 8 weeks: First visible improvements in length and darkness
• 12 to 16 weeks: Full results — maximum length, thickness, and darkness achieved
• After stopping: Lashes gradually return to pre-treatment baseline over 4 to 8 weeks as the growth cycle normalises

Maintenance: Once desired lash appearance is achieved, many Canadian users reduce application to every other day or 3 to 4 times per week to maintain results while reducing cumulative bimatoprost exposure.

Dosage Instructions — Using Lumigan for Glaucoma

Standard dosing: One drop instilled into the affected eye or eyes once daily in the evening. The evening timing is important — bimatoprost's IOP-lowering effect peaks approximately 8 to 12 hours after instillation, corresponding with the early morning hours when IOP is naturally highest in many glaucoma patients.

Critical: Do not use more than once daily. Increased dosing frequency does not increase efficacy and has been shown in clinical studies to actually reduce the IOP-lowering effect by causing receptor downregulation.

How to instil eye drops correctly:

1. Wash hands thoroughly
2. Remove contact lenses — wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting after instillation (Lumigan contains benzalkonium chloride preservative which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses)
3. Tilt the head back slightly or lie down
4. Pull the lower eyelid down gently to create a small pocket
5. Hold the bottle inverted above the eye without touching the eye or lids with the tip
6. Instil one drop into the lower conjunctival sac
7. Close the eye gently — press a finger against the inner corner of the eye (nasolacrimal occlusion) for 1 to 2 minutes to reduce systemic absorption
8. If using other eye drops concurrently, wait at least 5 minutes between different products

Missed dose: If a dose is missed, apply that evening as soon as remembered. If you remember the next day, skip the missed dose and resume the regular evening schedule. Never apply two doses to make up for a missed one.

Storage and Handling

Unopened bottles: Store in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C, or at room temperature up to 25°C. Protect from freezing. Keep away from direct light.

After opening: Once opened, Lumigan should be used within 28 days regardless of how much solution remains. After 28 days, discard the bottle even if it appears full — preservative effectiveness decreases and contamination risk increases after this period.

For cosmetic users: A single 3ml bottle of Lumigan used once daily for upper lash application typically lasts 4 to 6 months for one user — significantly beyond the 28-day discard window. Splitting a 3ml bottle across two users (each using daily upper-lash application) is a common practice that keeps usage within the 28-day window and reduces cost per person.

Side Effects of Lumigan (Bimatoprost)

Common side effects — affect more than 1 in 10 users (both glaucoma and cosmetic applications):

• Conjunctival hyperaemia (eye redness) — occurs in approximately 15–45% of glaucoma patients; typically mild and often decreases with continued use
• Eyelash changes — growth, darkening, and increased number (the intended cosmetic effect; a side effect in glaucoma use)
• Mild ocular stinging or burning at instillation
• Foreign body sensation
• Eye pruritus (itching)

Important — Iris Pigmentation (Permanent colour change of the iris): Bimatoprost can stimulate melanin production in iris melanocytes, causing a gradual darkening of iris colour — particularly in eyes with mixed pigmentation (hazel, blue-brown, green-brown). This change is typically irreversible even after stopping treatment. It is more common with eye drop instillation than with lash-line cosmetic application — but cosmetic users should be aware. The risk is particularly important for users applying Lumigan to one eye only for cosmetic purposes — asymmetric iris darkening may result. This side effect occurs in approximately 1 to 5% of long-term users.

Periorbital skin darkening: Bimatoprost can cause darkening of the skin around the eyes and eyelids — this is usually reversible after stopping treatment. Cosmetic users should carefully blot excess solution to minimise skin contact beyond the lash line.

Unwanted hair growth: If Lumigan solution contacts skin beyond the intended application area — cheeks, forehead — fine hair growth may occur in those areas. Careful application and immediate blotting of excess solution prevents this.

Less common but clinically significant:

• Deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus (the groove above the upper eyelid) — particularly with long-term use in glaucoma patients
• Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
• Dry eyes
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Macular oedema — rare, primarily in aphakic patients (those without a natural lens) or patients with known risk factors

Rare but serious — seek immediate medical attention:

• Severe allergic reactions (swelling of eyelids, face; difficulty breathing)
• Iritis or uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) — bimatoprost may exacerbate intraocular inflammation
• Significant visual disturbance or vision changes

Who Should Not Use Lumigan

Lumigan is contraindicated or requires special caution in:

• Patients with known hypersensitivity to bimatoprost or benzalkonium chloride
• Patients with active intraocular inflammation (iritis, uveitis)
• Patients with aphakia (absent natural lens) or pseudophakia with torn posterior lens capsule — increased macular oedema risk
• Patients with severe or unstable asthma or COPD — bimatoprost has some systemic prostaglandin effects that may theoretically affect pulmonary function
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women — safety data insufficient; discuss with your ophthalmologist or obstetrician
• Children and adolescents under 18 — safety not established for glaucoma use in paediatric patients

Use with caution in patients with: Controlled asthma, history of uveitis, macular oedema risk factors, pseudophakia, and patients who have had intraocular surgery within the past 3 months.

Contact Lenses and Lumigan

Lumigan contains benzalkonium chloride (BAK) as a preservative. BAK is absorbed by soft contact lenses and can cause lens discolouration and corneal irritation. Canadian contact lens wearers must follow these steps:

• Remove soft contact lenses before instilling Lumigan
• Wait a minimum of 15 minutes after instillation before reinserting contact lenses
• Hard (rigid gas permeable) lenses: same 15-minute waiting period recommended
• Cosmetic users: remove lenses, apply Lumigan to lash line, wait 15 minutes, reinsert lenses

Legal Status in Canada — Prescription Requirements

Health Canada status: Lumigan (bimatoprost 0.03%) is a Schedule F prescription drug in Canada — a prescription from a licensed Canadian ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician is required to obtain it at regulated Canadian pharmacies. Bimatoprost is not available over the counter at any Canadian pharmacy.

Glaucoma patients: If you have glaucoma, you must be under the care of a Canadian ophthalmologist or optometrist for regular IOP monitoring and optic nerve assessment. Self-managing glaucoma without professional monitoring is clinically dangerous — IOP can change without symptoms, and unmonitored pressure can lead to irreversible vision loss. Purchase of Lumigan through international pharmacies does not replace the need for ongoing professional eye care.

Cosmetic users: Many Canadian users purchase bimatoprost (as Lumigan, Careprost, or Bimat) from international online pharmacies for eyelash cosmetic use — a grey area under Canadian regulations. For cosmetic use, the risks are primarily local (iris pigmentation, periorbital darkening, unwanted hair growth) rather than systemic, and a consultation with a physician familiar with bimatoprost is prudent before starting.

Our recommendation: Canadian glaucoma patients should work with their ophthalmologist for diagnosis, monitoring, and prescription. Canadian teleoptometry platforms including Eye Recommend and Clearly Contacts telehealth offer convenient consultations. For cosmetic use, a one-time consultation with a dermatologist or ophthalmologist familiar with bimatoprost is advisable before starting.

Delivery to All Canadian Provinces

drugs-canada.com ships discreetly to all Canadian provinces and territories. Standard delivery: 4–9 business days.

Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Hamilton, Brampton) — British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Kelowna) — Quebec (Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau) — Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer) — Manitoba (Winnipeg) — Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Regina) — Nova Scotia (Halifax) — New Brunswick (Moncton, Fredericton) — and all remaining provinces and territories.

All orders are delivered in plain, unmarked packaging with no reference to the contents or sender. A tracking number is included with every order.

Frequently Asked Questions — Lumigan in Canada

What is the difference between Lumigan and Latisse in Canada? Both contain bimatoprost 0.03% — the identical active ingredient at the identical concentration, manufactured by the same company (Allergan/AbbVie). The difference is regulatory designation and price. Latisse is specifically Health Canada-approved for eyelash growth (hypotrichosis) and comes with disposable applicator brushes. Lumigan is Health Canada-approved for glaucoma and used off-label for lashes. The eyelash-growing effect is clinically identical. Latisse retails at CAD$150–200 per 3ml in Canada; Lumigan is available at drugs-canada.com from $82.85.

What is the difference between Lumigan, Careprost, and Bimat? All three contain bimatoprost 0.03% — the same active ingredient and concentration. Lumigan is the Allergan brand (premium tier). Careprost is manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical. Bimat is manufactured by Ajanta Pharma. All three produce equivalent eyelash growth results. The differences are manufacturer, price, and brand recognition. Careprost ($54.55/3ml) and Bimat ($33.55/3ml) offer the most cost-effective options for cosmetic users.

How long does Lumigan take to grow eyelashes? First visible results typically appear at 4 to 8 weeks of consistent daily application. Full results — maximum length, density, and darkness — are achieved at 12 to 16 weeks. After stopping, lashes gradually return to their pre-treatment baseline over 4 to 8 weeks as the lash growth cycle normalises.

Can I use Lumigan on my lower lashes as well? Apply only to the upper lash line. Solution naturally migrates to the lower lashes during blinking, producing lower lash enhancement without direct application. Applying directly to the lower lash margin increases the risk of skin darkening, unwanted hair growth, and solution entering the eye.

Does Lumigan permanently change eye colour? Bimatoprost can permanently darken the iris (coloured part of the eye), particularly in eyes with mixed pigmentation (hazel, green-brown, blue-brown). This occurs in approximately 1 to 5% of long-term users and is caused by increased melanin in iris melanocytes. For cosmetic lash users applying to the skin rather than inside the eye, the risk is lower than for glaucoma patients instilling drops directly into the eye — but it is not zero. Asymmetric use (one eye only) carries risk of permanently mismatched iris colour.

Can I use Lumigan with contact lenses? Yes — but remove contact lenses before application and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting. Lumigan contains benzalkonium chloride preservative which is absorbed by soft contact lenses and can cause discolouration and corneal irritation.

How long does one 3ml bottle last for eyelash use? One drop per application to both upper lashes daily uses very little solution — a single 3ml bottle typically lasts 4 to 6 months for one user cosmetically. However, Lumigan should be discarded 28 days after opening regardless of remaining volume. Consider sharing a bottle with one other person to optimise usage within the 28-day window.

Is Lumigan covered by provincial drug plans in Canada? Lumigan is listed on most provincial formularies for patients with confirmed glaucoma or ocular hypertension meeting clinical criteria — Ontario ODB, BC PharmaCare, Alberta Blue Cross, RAMQ in Quebec. Coverage for cosmetic use is not available through any Canadian provincial plan. Confirm eligibility with your pharmacist or provincial drug benefit programme.

How long does delivery to Canada take? Standard delivery to all Canadian provinces takes 4 to 9 business days. All orders are delivered in plain, unmarked packaging with no reference to the contents or sender. A tracking number is included with every order.