The U. S. Food and Drug Administration have approved Allergan Inc.'s Latisse to promote eyelash growth, which will be available by prescription starting in the first quarter of 2009.

The drug Latisse is to treat a condition called hypotrichosis of the eyelashes which means a person has scanty eyelashes. Allergan's glaucoma treatment Lumigan contained bimatroprost and was found to have a side effect of enhanced eyelash growth for the users. This prompted them to study it for the new use specifically of eyelash growth. Both Lumigan and Latisse are used differently with Lumigan being used as an eye drop while Latisse is dabbed along the lash line on the upper eyelids to promote eyelash growth.

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." The drug is a once daily prescription treatment which is to be applied to the base of the upper eyelash with a sterile, single-use-per-eye disposable applicator. Once the drug is stopped the eyelashes will gradually return to their previous appearance.

Latisse is a structural prostaglandin analog, a lipid compound derived from fatty acids designed to bind to prostaglandin receptors. These receptors are present in hair and are thought to be involved in the development and re-growth of the hair follicle. The drug is said to have side effects of eye redness, itchy eyes and a darkening of the eyelid skin which may be reversible. Allergan notes that Latisse "may also cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye, which is likely to be permanent." The drug could also promote hair growth in skin areas that it touches and recommends blotting it off any skin other than the upper eyelashes that it touches.

Latisse is the first prescription product for lengthening eyelashes, making sales forecasting a little difficult though Allergan said it estimates global peak sales of Latisse solution could top $500 million a year. Larry Biegelsen, an analyst at Wachovia, said the company's forecast of more than $500 million seemed likely. However, "we think the initial uptake will be muted due to the economic situation." He forecasts sales of $30 million in 2009, growing to $310 million in 2012.