By RHONDA L. RUNDLEEyelash Enhancer Gains Approval - WSJ.comAllergan Inc. said it received Food and Drug Administration approval to market Latisse, a beauty treatment that increases the length, thickness and darkness of eyelashes by using a drug the company developed to treat glaucoma.Latisse, which Allergan plans to launch in February, represents a new use for its seven-year-old glaucoma drug, bimatoprost, which is sold under the brand name Lumigan. The drug's use as a beauty aid was discovered by patients and eye doctors, who have reported for years that a side effect of the Lumigan drops is enhanced eyelashes.To protect its turf, Allergan is already waging a legal battle with competitors who marketed their own eyelash products based on bimatoprost and similar ingredients.[Allergan Latisse eyelash photo] skin1.comPhotos on a doctor's Web site showing eyelash growth from bimatoprost."Latisse exemplifies our continuing commitment to developing innovative treatments that are studied in well-controlled clinical trials, manufactured to pharmaceutical standards, appropriately labeled for use, and available to consumers as a prescription product," said Scott Whitcup, Allergan's executive vice president of research and development. Latisse will be sold by physicians in states that allow them to dispense drugs. In other states, Latisse will be available at the pharmacy.
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