FDA Warns of Potential Harm From Eyelash Enhancers

The FDA has seized more than $2 million worth of what they characterize as an “unapproved and misbranded drug” that claims to lengthen eyelashes. The Age Intervention Eyelash, produced by Jan Marini Skin Research, contains bimatoprost, an ingredient in the popular glaucoma medication Lumigan. Lumigan has been seen to lengthen eyelashes in glaucoma patients an many cosmetic companies are attempting cash in buy producing mascara like products with variations of Lumigan ingredients.

Some doctors are prescribing Lumigan to their patients through off-label prescription to lengthen their eyelashes. Earlier this month Allergan Inc., the makers of Lumigan, filed a patent infringement lawsuit, claiming that several cosmetic companies have used its drug or variations thereof in their products.

Jan Marini Skin Research claims that the seized merchandise has been discontinued last year when the FDA raised questions about it. They insist that state officials embargoed the seized items at that point in time. The FDA has also launched an investigation into Athena Cosmetics’ RevitaLash, and PhotoMedex’s MD Lash Factor.

All of the manufacturers in question maintain their innocence and call Allergan’s lawsuit “baseless.” The FDA warns the eyelash enhancement drugs could cause a decrease in vision and cause irreversible darkening of the iris if it leaked into the eye.

Neither the FDA nor the manufacturers of the eyelash enhancement drugs say that they have received any adverse reports involving the products.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.