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I was in the gym the other day, trying to regain my “girlish figure,” and I happened to see Brooke Shields in television ad hawking Latisse, the new eye lash-enhancing prescription medication from Allegan. For those women (or men for that matter) who haven’t heard, Latisse was recently approved for hypotrichosis of the eye lashes. Hypotrichosis is medically-defined as a reduced amount of hair, and in this case, it refers to eyelashes. Who knew that reduced eyelash hair was a burgeoning unmet medical need? Anyway, back to Brooke.

I like Brooke Shield and I think that her very personal and public account of her struggles with postpartum depression after the birth of her first child was courageous and laudable. And, I thought she was pretty damn good in Pretty Baby and the Blue Lagoon too. But, I question her decision to use her celebrity among women to promote a prescription drug that was approved almost exclusively for cosmetic use. Yes, I know that women’s cosmetics are a multibillion industry and woman worldwide work hard to get longer and fuller lashes. But, this begs the question: Are the possible health risks associated with Latisse—an attenuated form of botulism toxin used in Allergan’s anti-wrinkle treatment Botox—worth it, simply to get longer and fuller lashes; a look that can be achieved by daily application of non prescription and much cheaper mascara? Again, as is the case with most women’s healthcare choices, the decision should be left up to individuals.

Personally, I hope that Brooke’s eyebrows—which were quite formidable back in the day—remain as manageable as they appear to be today after using Latisse to thicken her eyelashes. Not that there is anything wrong with thick eyebrows!

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!  

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Allergan, the drug maker that brought us Botox is at it again! The company has a new FDA-approved drug called Latisse that can be used to grow longer, lusher eyelashes. It will be available by prescription at the end of this month.

Latisse contains the same prostaglandin analog that is found in Allergan’s Lumigan, an eye drop treatment for glaucoma. A side effect of the analog is to make the eyelashes of many patients who use the eye drops longer and fuller. Other side effects can include red, itchy eyes and changes in eyelid pigmentation.

Allergan conducted a 16 week clinical trial with about 280 volunteers to assess the safety and efficacy of Latisse. In the study, half of the participants used Latisse daily for 16 weeks. Study results showed that the eyelashes of patients treated with Latisse typically grew 25 percent longer, 106 percent thicker and 18 percent darker. While 3.6 percent of patients experienced eye itching and red eyes, none exhibited a change of eye color. These results were reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration, which approved the drug in late December, 2008.

While some medical experts are concerned about these Latisse’s side effects, the financial upside for the drug is considered by some analysts to be substantial. At present, the annual size of the worldwide mascara market is about $5 billion. Allergan expects sales of Latisse to eventually rival those of Botox —Allergan’s other FDA-approved drug used for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Sales for cosmetic use of Botox were $600 million in 2007.

Longer, lusher lashes will come at a price for the people who chose to get a prescription for Latisse. Unlike mascara which is relatively inexpensive (so I am told), a monthly dose of Latisse will cost $120. However, according to my wife, longer, lusher lashes are the equivalent of the Holy Grail for most women. When I mentioned the Latisse’s monthly cost, she said quickly replied “I don’t care. I would still do it”—this from a woman who rarely wears any make up. Although my wife doesn’t constitute a valid statistical sample size, her responses suggests that Latisse just might be the biggest thing to hit cosmetic medicine market since well—uh— Botox!

Until next time…..

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting (try Allergan, they are hiring!)

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