Higher formulation of bimatoprost to be discontinued

Allergan Inc. has announced that come end of year 2012, Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% will no longer be manufactured and distributed for use in the U.S., as production will instead focus wholly on the 0.01% formulation, a company release stated.

The 0.01% ophthalmic solution, used for the reduction of elevated IOP in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, possesses the same FDA-approved indication, dosing instructions and bottle sizes as its 0.03% counterpart formulation, but offers a bimatoprost efficacy with a lower discontinuation rate than the 0.03%, the release said.

The decision to shelve Lumigan 0.03% was based solely on the strength of adoption by physicians for the 0.01% formulation, according to the release.

The ophthalmic solution has no FDA-approved generic version, and as such, the 0.01% concentration should be dispensed as shown, the release said.