A FDA advisory panel recommended approving the drug ‘Latisse’ to promote longer, thicker, darker eyelashes. Latisee is derived from the glaucoma drug Lumigan, which is approved by FDA since 2001, as an eye drop. The drug company Allergan Inc., studied the drug to know how it promoted eyelash growth, thickness, and darkness when used as an eye liner at the roots of the eyelashes on the upper eyelid.

For study, 137 people used Latisse and 141 people used a placebo solution for 16 weeks and it was found that the Latisse group has thicker, longer and darker eyelashes at the end of the study. The people of the Latisse group were more satisfied with their lashes than those who used the placebo. According to Allergan documents submitted to the FDA, the side effects of drug were mild and temporary. The prescribing information contains that it may darken eyelid skin and gradually increases pigmentation of the iris and making eyes browner. However the iris color changes, may not be noticeable for several months to years, may be permanent but don't progress after stopping the drug. Each Latisse dose uses only 5% of a Lumigan drop. 
 
The FDA panel recommended further studies to assess Latisse's use in certain groups of patients, such as those young people who lost their eyelashes because of chemotherapy, says Allergan news release. The drug is not approved yet and if FDA approves it, Latisse’s will be a prescription drug, not an over-the-counter cosmetic. According to the company news release, Allergan anticipates launching Latisse in 2009.